Golf in space
Michael took his new book for a tour of Florida last month (November 2025). His first reading was at Cocoa Beach Golf Course in the land of “I Dream of Jeannie”. He had been invited to read some poems to the members of the Wednesday Ladies Comp.
To introduce his first poem, 'Macaroons', he said, “Because we are on the Space Coast, I better read one about Alan Shephard, the Apollo 14 astronaut who played golf on the moon.
The audience gasped and all turned toward a lady at the head of the table. “That’s Alan’s daughter there… Laura. Laura Shepard.”
What an amazing moment. Both Laura and Michael couldn’t stop smiling.
Macaroons
Over undulating sandy dunes,
Where flags and tiny holes are peppered,
Appear the ladies with the macaroons
To share morning tea with Alan Shepard,
The handsome golfing astronaut,
Who took two spots from a leopard
To the moon and swung the club he wrought,
To become the furthest earthly chap
To unburden us with weightless sport
Without gravity, you get more snap
And those leopard spots—fly off the map
Alan's daughter Laura Shepard-Churchley ready to board the Blue Origin Spaceship (2021)
Alan Shepard, first American in space (1961) and the first to play golf on the moon (1971)
Michael with Laura at Cocoa Beach Golf Club (2025)