“The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name” (golf saying)

A popular golf saying is:
 
“The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name…and they say golf is a quiet game.”
 
The saying has been cited in print since at least 2001 and is of unknown authorship.
 
   
Google Groups: uk.sport.golf
Golf Sayings
Andy
2/10/01
(...)
The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name…and they say golf is a quiet game.
 
Google Groups: uk.sport.golf
humour?
Brian Yare
4/24/01
(...)
Why is it twice as hard to hit a ball over water and sand? The trees taunt you, the sand mocks you, the water calls your name…. and they say golf is a quiet game.
     
Ironworks Forum
John D. Harris
02-13-2002, 08:19 PM
The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you;the water calls your name…and they say golf is a quiet game. -Anonymous
 
10 May 2004, The Irish Times (Dublin), pg. A9 photo caption:
“The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name and they say golf is a quiet game.” Anonymous
 
3 June 2008, Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), “Golf” by Paul Franklin, pg. ?:
“The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name,” (arnold—ed.) Palmer once said, “and they say golf is a quiet game.”
 
Google Books
Blow Your Blues Away
By Lulu De Zulu
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2009
Pg. ?:
The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name… and they say golf is a quiet game.
   
Google Books
G.O.L.F.:
Greatest of Life’s Frustrations Game of Limitless Fun
By Lane H. Luoma
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2011
Pg. 63:
Quote: “The trees taunt you, the sand mocks you, the water calls your name and they say golf is a quiet game.” Unknown
 
Twitter
PGA Championship
‏@PGAChampionship
“The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name and they say golf is a quiet game.” - Anonymous
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1:43 PM - 7 Apr 2015