whats-golf-got-to-do-with-it-image.jpg
What’s Golf Got To Do With It?
Today was one of those days that was typical for any 44 year old Dad. It was rather routine for a summer day in June, took the kids to swim practice, came home to bang out a bunch of work, headed out to a lunch meeting, scooted home for some more work than out the door for the kids first swim meet of the summer. That can be boxed up and placed on just about anyone’s schedule.
But between the lines is what it’s all about. Family, love for others, sharing in moments with your kids and taking care of the business grind that is all too routine. I crossed paths today with people that are just great.
I met a dad from the neighborhood today who’s company handles PGA Tour Player shuttle services at events all over and he was gearing up for a 2 week stint in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Open. At the swim meet tonight I spoke to grandfather bearing the blistering heat to watch his grandson tear up the pool. He was wearing a hat from a local country club so you know I had to ask a few questions.
Come to find out he’s retired and an active volunteer for PGA, NCAA and State Golf events. In talking with him his greatest joy is working the Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship event here in Atlanta as a walking scorer. I asked him why that’s his favorite over the Tour Championship at East Lake with the top 30 pro’s of the year. His answer was simple he gets a kick out of seeing the kids come back each year and seeing them mature as young men. Seeing and interacting with the likes of Rickie Fowler as a college kid and noting how well mannered he was and being proud to see him doing well on the PGA Tour. Spending time with them as they do well or not so well on the course in a close up, inside the ropes seat is where you see what their character is really like.
My lunch meeting was with Dorene Trumble at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, their Director of Fundraising. She is an avid golfer, played tennis at the University of Georgia and made a great comment to me about life and raising kids. She said she is so thankful that her Dad made it a point to instill the love of what she called an Adult Sport (not football or baseball, afterall not too many 40 year olds are throwing on the pads or racing around the diamond). Having a sport to take into your business and personal life is a true gift for our kids.
We talked about the devastating effects of ALS- Lou Gehrig’s Disease and I was amazed to hear the what it really is all about. Sure I know about the famous speech in Yankee Stadium and some cursory ideas of what it is but if I was on Jeopardy and it was a category I’d be doomed.
Did you know
As many as 20,000-30,000 people in the United States have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with the disease each year. ALS is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, and people of all races and ethnic backgrounds are affected. ALS most commonly strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age, but younger and older people also can develop the disease. Men are affected more often than women.
In 90 to 95 percent of all ALS cases, the disease occurs apparently at random with no clearly associated risk factors. Patients do not have a family history of the disease, and their family members are not considered to be at increased risk for developing ALS.
Good facts but what does it really mean? It means a person like you or I wakes up on day and we get weak in the legs or have difficultly breathing and then we find out its ALS and the path it takes you on is one of paralysis and ultimately death in 3-5 years.
Well where does golf come into the equation? THe game of golf raises Millions of dollars every year for research and care giving. The Story of Tom Watson’s caddie Bruce Edwards who at the age of 49 lost his battle but his legacy spurred on Watson to raise millions for the cause. Golf you see has a reach like no other sport and within the confines of the rough and the fairway are players that have hearts the size of Texas that willingly jump into the gap for others to make a difference.
As I ended my great day between the swim races as the kids were munching on candy and hot dogs my phone rang. It was my cousin calling me to tell me that her ex-husband (of only a few months) went to the doctor today because he wasn’t feeling well and 6 hours later was in emergency surgery because they found a large mass on his colon and after the scans diagnosed him with cancer of the colon and liver. This is awful news and one I would not want anyone to have to deal with but we must face our worst fears, look them in the eye, grab them by the throat and fight like there is no tomorrow.
I spend my days working to raise funds for others and when something like this hits home it just stinks. I have comfort in three unshakable things: 1) I serve a mighty and awesome God 2) I have the best wife, kids and family on this planet and 3) I have the assurance that the millions of golfers across this world are always there to reach out a hand to a stranger in need without hesitation.
What’s Golf Got To Do With It? Do you really need me to answer that question………
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Alabama Tornado Relief Golf A Thon
Click on the link to view our Flyer or simply visit the event website at www.bamagolfathon.golfreg.com
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Get Fit You Owe It To Your Game!
Get fit! We hear it all the time and know we should get fit for our clubs but sometimes the allure of a new set of sticks takes us over and we take the plunge and skip this step.
Today, I spent the afternoon with the Mizuno fitting staff as a few players from my events got fit as part of their prize package. Bill Price, PGA Professional and Mizuno’s main man when it comes to getting you in the right sticks for you. Bill has fit the Mizuno PGA Staff for many years and is great at what he does be it a 20 handicap or Luke Donald.
Mizuno is currently running a Mizuno Swing To Win Challenge demonstrating the new JPX 800 line of irons. I have been a Mizuno player for quite some time and love the quality of their clubs and these JPX-800′s are over the top! I fell in love with the Pro Series JPX-800′s.
Luke Donald, Charles Howell II and Stacy Lewis are fantastic players and have all had a great year. The process for you “Joe Hack” is exactly the same and frankly you will be vast improvements probably more so than the elite players.
Golf is hard enough with the perfect club set up and if you don’t have the right irons and set up you are going to fighting it all day long.
We had a 20 handicap and a very good 12 handicap (I think he was sand bagging). Our first man up was the 20 Handicap who is playing off the rack Callaway X-12′s. As he warmed up the nerves were apparent but Bill could not have been better. It’s intimidating to say the least to get up and hit a few knowing Bill’s background and what he has seen from the top professionals on the PGA & LPGA Tours.
After getting into his groove Bill then asked him what type of heads looked good to him and how much forgiveness the players was looking for. The new Mizuno 800-MX’s were the choice and then we moved into the specialized club fitting shaft. This contraption is a mini computer that is part of a shaft and after few swings spits out some impressive numbers on how you load the shaft, what your swing speed is and your overall tempo. After getting these stats its on to the myriad of shafts.
Shafts are so technical today and you are able to dial it in so precisely. It was determined a stiff shaft was right for him but what one? Well you can pick stiff off the rack but there are many options based on ball flight, launch angle and the angle of decent as the ball land on the green. After hitting each shaft it was back to the laptop to see the numbers and it is comforting to know that you don’t have to rely on “feel” because the numbers don’t lie.
The chioce was the Project X 5.5 shafts because they gave this player a higher ball flight and a much better angle of decent. Now you think, Great thanks but nope there is more. Lie Angle and Grips. Bothe were fitted and the smile on the players face and confidence he has knowing he has the right tools to attack the course was a great thing to witness.
Next up was our 12 handicap. He was stripping the ball as he warmed up. When asked what he was playing now he said Ping G-5′s “I bought them right before I was going to play Augusta National so I wanted new sticks.” Never fitted just picked them off the rack. After going through the same process it was a night and day difference on how these new clubs worked for him. I suspect his 12 handicap will be dropping fast.
So here’s the deal go get fit! You owe it to yourself go out and take the Mizuno MX-800 challenge and see the difference for yourself!
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
The Kilted Bushmen Ryder Cup
Posted in Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Charity Golf A Life Lesson
The game of golf has many life lessons for those that play. Honor, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Struggle, Emotion, Joy, Competitive Fire, Relationships and Benevolence are just a few that are top of mind.
I hear all too often from friends and strangers that I have it made working in the game golf and putting on great golf events that they get to enjoy. They are right, I ‘m blessed to do this and although there are times it is a grind just like any 9-5 corporate gig it is fun but more so rewarding.
During a typical year me and my team are driven by the fact that each of our events has charitable organizations that the proceeds go to assist in their Mission. We take this very serious and to tell you the truth it is my internal driving force to do what I do on a daily basis. The organizations that we partner with are selectively chosen. Aligning with an organization that I would put my personal dollars behind makes my job that much more satisfying.
Back 9 Promotions is a for profit company but the beauty is that we get to be involved in making dreams, missions and lives better with each event we do. The satisfaction that comes from seeing the funds raised go to changes lives and communities is something that at times is difficult to comprehend.
The wonderful game of golf gives back so much more that we can ever give to it. Playing a round of golf with 3 friends in an event is fun but at the end of the day we get to do what we love and give back to others in a special way.
There are struggles everyday as we go forth on our mission and as any business owner will tell you, the time that is dedicated to a business are endless, thankless and stressful but knowing the true mission and its net results is to say the least a “sliver lining”.
Expressing this is not to solicit accolades or self promotion but to tell you there is a greater good in all we do and I want to thank everyone for their support and you may never know the stories of the lives you are touching but they are numerous. I see and hear the results daily and don’t always have the chance to share it so today I want to say to you, the lone golfer, thank you and job well done.
God Bless,
Rob
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
What is your favorite golf season?
What is your perfect golf day? I know for me it is a crisp fall day when the leaves are changing and in full color against the dark green landscape. For many its Spring when the golf bug is scratching at you after months of hibernation. I also can lean this way as well but if I had to pick I am a fall guy with football in full gear on the tv’s at the 19th hole.
Spring and early summer here in the southeast is when the weather is great but come mid June through September the temps are high and the humidity is brutal. To each his own as far as the calendar goes but I would love to know what you think.
Summer? Fall? Winter? Spring?
How about your annual golf trips are they in the spring, summer or fall? Where do you go? What is a typical golf trip planned around? Great Golf, Night Life, Food, Resort Amenities?
Don’t be shy speak up!
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
National Golf Day- “Dr. Note”
The Golf Doc!
Today is National Golf Day and many of you are working hard and don’t think you can scoot out for a quick round. Well, Back 9 Promotions is here to help.
You need to leave now and either tee it up or hit the driving range at a minimum!
Just copy and paste this into a word doc and you should be all good to go.
Rob Pritts, MD of the Links
Dear (BOSS),
(Your Name Here) has been seen by me a my office on Fairway Drive and he/she has an acute golf fever. In my examination he/she has classic symptoms of being over worked and under appreciated and is suffering from work realted golf withdrawls. The remedy to get he/she back to top condition to perform tasks at work are as follows:
- Today I have prescribed 18 holes of golf followed by 2 hours of range time daily for the next two weeks
- Friday’s work must stop at 12:00 pm and a tee time must be made for 1:00 pm
- All golf and beverages will be on the company expense account
- If any of these days are skipped in the two weeks the relapse can be even worse and the dose must be doubled for an extended 2 week period.
My partner in my practice is an M.D. and an Attorney as well and he will be serving you certified documents for your HR records.
Have a great day and if you have any of the same symptoms please feel free to make an tee time/appointment with my front office staff.
Yours Truly,
Rob Pritts, MD of the Links
18 Fairway Drive, Roswell GA 30075
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Masters & Family
What a glorious time of year to be a golf fan on the eve of the 75th Masters Tournament. This week fills me with so many memories of the great venue and tournament but I grab the most pleasure from the memories of my father and I walking the hallowed grounds.
We lived in Augusta and my first Masters was during the days when you walked up to the gate and simply bought a day pass for the practice rounds. I went with my Dad and of course our jaws dropped as we entered and soaked in the majestic landscape.
Over the years Dad and I would spend our week talking golf, reading the daily articles in the Augusta Chronicle cover to cover at breakfast and then running out to the course to be in line early. Golf is one thing to share with your dad but Masters Golf is so much more.
My Dad passed away in 2004 and his birthday is today April 6th. I miss him so much and so often when I tee it up I can’t keep him off my mind. After his passing the first round of golf I played was a surreal round flooded with emotion and vivid memories of all the rounds we played together. Some great memories of him with one foot on the gas and one on the break racing around the links at West Lake Country Club, he was all about a fast pace of play.
One of the greatest memories was playing a round with Dad, my brother, sister-in-law and myself. It was just when I was taking up the game and to say I was awful would be a kind portrait. My sister-in-law at the time had a seroius case of “Statue Syndrome” over every shot where she froze in time before taking a swing, for myself I don’t think I missed a tree all day. The true fun in the day was not the golf but watching Dad stew as we banged it around and she was frozzen over oevery shot with him trying to time the gunning of the cart.
The shot of the day which has gained fame status in the family was on 18. Of course I banged it into the trees on the left and for some crazy reason I grabbed one of my Dad’s new Hogan Apex Persimmon woods (he loved those baby’s). As my sister-in-law and I walked into the trees and pine straw to hunt it down she was rolling because it was so fitting that on the last hole I nailed yet another Georgia Pine. I was ticked and ready for the day to end, I walked to the ball and just took a mighty rip at it and nailed it solid…the ball and then the root under the pine straw. With a Palmer like follow through the club was so light and to my amazement the head on his prized club flew 50 yards and I was left wheeling a headless club.
The look on my face was priceless. I turned to my loving sister-in-law and she was rolling in the pine straw laughing in her so quiet NJ Italian screams. Needless to say I was trying to shut her up and keep it under wraps but that was a futile attempt. My dad was ripped and to add fuel to fire she kept throwing wood on the fire. Over the years this story has given us so much joy and thank God I don’t spend as much time in the tree’s.
This week is so special for the golf world and for me it is a week to reflect on two of the biggest influences in my life: Dad and The Masters.
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
2011 PGA SHOW
The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL is always on of my golf highlights of the year after the 4 Majors, the Arizona Cup with my pals and my Annual Rocket Ryder Cup with the fellas. Over two football fields of golf’s top companies will have the latest products on display and and pure golf junkies dream “Mall of Golf”!
The 2011 show is going to showcase the best golf has to offer from equipment manufactures all the way down to the annual display of new tee inventions…..how many ways can a peg be redone, trust me there are always a bunch. My attention is always focused on the equipment and tournament prizes and gifts.
Our goal at Back 9 Promotions is to always find top new ideas to replace the stale shirt, hat and towel giveaways that so many tournaments give away. To me another golf shirt with a sponsors name on it isn’t something I get excited about. Last year we found DAWGS Golf Shoes which are simply the best light weight shoe to add to the collection of shoes you already have and TOUR STICKS the top practice tool in most PGA Tour Players bags.
As I get ready for this year I already have my sights on a few cool things that I need to get my hands on to evaluate. The test is pretty detailed: If I like it and just got to have one I am sure the same will ring true with our players!
Stay Tuned for updates on our Facebook Page all next week and follow along on Twitter as I walk the aisles!
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Interview with Rob Pritts from Back 9 Promotions
“Golf Exchange presented by The Honda Classic” aired its 52nd and final episode of the 2010 season Sunday, December 26, on both ESPN Radio 760 in West Palm Beach, with signal coverage from Fort Lauderdale to Port St. Lucie, and also 790 The Ticket in Miami, with signal coverage from Key West to Delray Beach.
Pat Rooney Jr. joined us this week in studio as guest co-host.
Attached is an audio clip from the episode. The mp3 file is our interview with Rob Pritts from Back 9 Promotions, as we discussed the upcoming Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation charity golf tournament at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs.
“Golf Exchange presented by The Honda Classic”
Sundays 8am-10am on ESPN 760-West Palm Beach & 790 The Ticket-Miami/Fort Lauderdale
GolfExchange-Banner-Revised
“Golf Exchange presented by The Honda Classic” is a 2-hour weekly golf talk radio program airing every Sunday morning from 8am-10am on both ESPN Radio 760 in West Palm Beach, with signal coverage from Fort Lauderdale to Port St. Lucie, and also 790 The Ticket in Miami, with signal coverage from Key West to Delray Beach. The show’s primary demographic is men 35-54 years of age. The average combined weekly audience is approximately 15,000 listeners.
Russ Evans is the host of the show, with over 9 years of broadcasting experience in South Florida, on both radio and television. Program content includes coverage of tournament play on the PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tours, frequent interviews of touring pros, television analysts, and writers, and discussions of local golf events including charity functions and junior golf initiatives. Past guests have included Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Annika Sorenstam, Kenny Perry, Raymond Floyd, Butch Harmon, Chris DiMarco, Tom Fazio, Larry Nelson, Pete Dye, Ian Poulter, Tim Rosaforte, Robert Allenby, David Leadbetter, Rocco Mediate, Morgan Pressel, and Natalie Gulbis, among others.
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
« Older Entries Newer Entries »
