So here's a touch of reality connecting the dreams of junior golfers, the struggles, and what can happen...
And if you're getting into the US Open this week, this might
enhance the experience. Below is a link to a blog being posted to MGAGolf.org,
the golf association in the NY metropolitan area. It's written by Pat
Wilson, who is playing in his first US Open. Luke has played with Pat, and his
younger brother Corey, a number of times in local events (yes I was on the
bag).
Last time we saw Pat was about a year ago when Luke was playing with Corey in a
qualifier and Pat was caddying for his younger brother. If I've got my timeline right, Pat had turned pro
recently and was playing on the Canadian and Puerto Rican tours, and wasn't
having much success. He shared that the reason he was back in New Jersey was because he was a little low on money and had to come back to make some money and regroup. After that, we heard or saw that he was still struggling trying to find a game that could compete on those
tours.
And that's pretty much how it was from our perspective until he recently found his game, just
in time to get through local qualifying. Last week, in New Jersey, he was one of four
guys to get through Sectional Qualifying. One of those four was Lee Janzen,
two time US Open champ. Now he's at Chambers Bay. The two coaches he's working
with now, have also been Luke's coaches. Luke spent about 3 years with Jason Birnbaum,
and a season of mental coaching with Mike Diffley, so it's easier to imagine how surreal this must be for Pat now at Chambers Bay on the eve of teeing it up for the US Open. Very cool to see it unfold... and hope for good things. Pat's a great kid. Most of them are. Check out his blog... http://www.mgagolf.org/news/2015/june/patwilson_1
(start from the bottom... the oldest posts)
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