I watched the last few holes of the final round of the PGA Tour's 'Bob Hope Classic,' as DJ was playing well, finishing 7th. I was hoping to see a swing but really wanted to see his new putting setup and stroke he worked on with Scotty Cameron on Monday. But I guess with the network mentality that all viewers only care about seeing the leaders and big names, he never got any air time even, being a former champion of the Hope.
I also had another interest in watching Bill Haas. He is a local player and lives within 15 miles from me. I know Bill and his older brother, Jay Jr. Like DJ, they played junior golf in South Carolina events as well as many regional and national tournaments. They also competed against each other in high school tournaments and then on into college.
DJ played at Clemson and as we heard yesterday Bill played at his father's Alma Mater, Wake Forest. Over their college careers, DJ and Bill were paired together numerous times. College golf tournaments are not so much played heavily by conference lineups except for the conference championships of which both Clemson and Wake are ACC members. The main schedule of tournaments colleges teams play are based on their national team ranking that can be found in most golf magazines. Since both teams are pretty much always in the top 25, they played quite regularly in the same tournaments.
So, from junior to high school golf and into DJ's college career, my wife Susan, brother Ken and I got to quite a few of those tournaments to follow DJ and the other local golfers he grew up with and competed with. I walked many 18 hole rounds following DJ and Bill Haas, and fairly often got to walk and talk with his father, Jay, when he was off Tour and made it to a tournament.
A nice point of interest to add is Bill's caddy, Michael Manness, was also a top South Carolina junior and college golfer. While speaking of caddies, DJ's caddy, Todd Sunderland, was in DJ's class for the 9 years when we lived on Hilton Head. Todd played junior, high school and college golf. So Bill and DJ's caddies are both long time real close friends and former competitors, which I think now makes them extra special pro/caddy teams working together on Tour.
A great part of being a parent is actively following your child's growing up as well as that of their friends and interacting with them and their parents. Many times close friendships developed and are maintained over time. For me, I have a large circle of friends of DJ's competitors and their families that are still close and active. This is true of those who made it to the PGA Tour, especially those who are still out on Tour.
Clemson team members that DJ played with that are still out on tour and are like a second family to us: Jonathan Byrd, Lucas Glover and recent Q school graduate, Brent Dellahoussaye. Matt Hendricks and John Engler each made it to the Tour and played one year. I am hopeful that Matt will make it back, but John will not. John had a physical problem with a foot crushed in a car accident and was told he may never walk on it.
John Engler persevered and not only got to walk on his foot again but got his game back and made it to the PGA Tour. He played 1 year and at the end of the year, decided he couldn't walk 18 holes. It was becoming impossible to do it an entire week, especially as it had to be done several weeks in a row. Deciding not to apply for the exemption to ride a cart, he retired and has since regained his amateur status. He is happy and fulfilled because despite his physical setback, he reached his goal of earning full player status though Q school and playing on the PGA Tour. A truly remarkable accomplishment and an example for all of us to look to for inspiration to never ever give up and keep on trying.
Following DJ and our team and family of local junior golfers, now PGA Tour professionals, adds a larger and more personal perspective as we closely follow and cheer for them. Since out on tour, Jonathan Byrd, J Byrd as we call him, has won 3 times. DJ has posted two wins. This past year has been pretty good to the South Carolina contingent beginning with Lucas Glover winning his second tournament and a pretty good one at that, The US Open.
Watching Bill Haas play 18, I was as nervous as he described he was. When he hit the par 5 in 2, my stress meter went way down, but not all the way. He still had a slick downhill putt. When his first putt stopped at tap in range, my stress meter went to zero. I am sure it was the same for him.
I heard his father in their interview say that he followed way behind down the fairway to stay out of sight. He could not tell how close Bill's first putt was so his anxiety level was still on high alert. He said he was instantly relieved when he saw Bill replace the ball and casually reach down to tap it in. I especially was pleased that The Golf Channel showed the gathering of the Haas family taking a family photo that also included his uncle Bob Goalby, the 1968 Masters Champion.
I know what Father Jay and family were going through yesterday, watching his son play and win. The pressure is excruciating. All you can do is watch and are helpless to give any help. We can only lend moral support and pray real hard.
Bill came through and got his first win. I can't wait till I see him out on Tour, likely Bay Hill, to give him a handshake and a hug and also to his caddy, Michael.
Congratulations to them both and the whole Haas Family!
The Surge!