I had some fun this week as I went down to the Bridgestone Invitational which is located about a half an hour from my home.
The Bridgestone has some very special memories for me.
As a young pro in 1981, I went to the tournament when it was "The World Series of Golf" one Sunday to get away from the golf shop and contemplate my next move in life. I had just graduated from college and after only playing golf seriously for one year had decided to take an assistant professional position.
The idea most people have is that golf professionals play a lot of golf, and nothing could be further from the truth. Long hours, barely breaking 100, and making the princely sum of $700 per month was the norm. As I was considering what to do next (I had a degree in journalism) out of the locker room walked 1981 PGA champion Larry Nelson.
I had read somewhere where Nelson had taken up the game up seriously at 21 and three years later he was on the PGA Tour. He had also spent a couple of year working as an assistant pro. Since he had been down the same road I figured I would approach him and see if he had any advice.
Larry couldn't have been any nicer (maybe because his son's name was Drew). He spent about 45 minutes with me talking about the steps he had taken. He directed me to Ben Hogan's book "The Five Fundamentals of the Golf Swing." I bought that book immediately and read it cover-to-cover several times. He also gave me several tips on playing well and coping with the club pro lifestyle. Larry also helped me to meet my best friend, someone who has stuck with me "closer than a brother". His last words to me that fateful day were, "See you in three years."
I will never forget the kindness of Larry Nelson. Through some well spent time he was able to help me recharge my batteries and renew my focus in life. I would like to say that I made the PGA Tour in three years, but I didn't.
I did go on to be medalist in the PGA Playing Ability Test, win two section events, qualify for my state open twice and go on to a rich full life as a club professional being around this game I care for so much.
And that's what I learned at Firestone.
It was also through Larry and my parents that I was able to meet my best friend
The Bridgestone has some very special memories for me.
As a young pro in 1981, I went to the tournament when it was "The World Series of Golf" one Sunday to get away from the golf shop and contemplate my next move in life. I had just graduated from college and after only playing golf seriously for one year had decided to take an assistant professional position.
The idea most people have is that golf professionals play a lot of golf, and nothing could be further from the truth. Long hours, barely breaking 100, and making the princely sum of $700 per month was the norm. As I was considering what to do next (I had a degree in journalism) out of the locker room walked 1981 PGA champion Larry Nelson.
I had read somewhere where Nelson had taken up the game up seriously at 21 and three years later he was on the PGA Tour. He had also spent a couple of year working as an assistant pro. Since he had been down the same road I figured I would approach him and see if he had any advice.
Larry couldn't have been any nicer (maybe because his son's name was Drew). He spent about 45 minutes with me talking about the steps he had taken. He directed me to Ben Hogan's book "The Five Fundamentals of the Golf Swing." I bought that book immediately and read it cover-to-cover several times. He also gave me several tips on playing well and coping with the club pro lifestyle. Larry also helped me to meet my best friend, someone who has stuck with me "closer than a brother". His last words to me that fateful day were, "See you in three years."
I will never forget the kindness of Larry Nelson. Through some well spent time he was able to help me recharge my batteries and renew my focus in life. I would like to say that I made the PGA Tour in three years, but I didn't.
I did go on to be medalist in the PGA Playing Ability Test, win two section events, qualify for my state open twice and go on to a rich full life as a club professional being around this game I care for so much.
And that's what I learned at Firestone.
It was also through Larry and my parents that I was able to meet my best friend
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