I fell in love with golf when I fell out of love with football. My sister’s boyfriend at the time, who was a good player, took me out one day and I caught the bug. I was fortunate enough to get a “no pay” job cleaning restrooms at my local public course and was given full golf privileges and a locker. My local PGA Professional’s was Don Bisesi at Helfrich Hills Golf Course in Evansville, Indiana. Don was a big personality who gave me an avenue to play without spending more money than myself or parents had to spend. He was great about giving the kids he knew would work hard an opportunity to play without actually “giving” them free golf. He made you work.
The shanks, believe it or not, inspired me to “either learn about the swing or quit” when I was a junior in high school. I had a bad case of hitting it in the hosel and knew I couldn’t punch 5 woods for the rest of my life. I started to research and work on the game and became a decent college player, and then a PGA Professional. I have remembered to this day the opportunity I was given and try to do the same with kids today…but they need to expect to work at it!