golf

America is an amazing Country and truly a land of freedom with tremendous opportunity. I still can’t get over how special the United States of America truly is!

As a citizen we are privileged to have many rights and choices. One that stands out for me is our option to dream. One description of Dreaming that intrigues me is one from the “Free” dictionary that simply says: “To have a notion of without adequate foundation; fancy or believe.”

My favorite part of this reference is “without adequate foundation.”

My son Wesley realized another one of his dreams this year and that was to play in the Masters. In the last 30 months he has accomplished three of his golf dreams: earn the privilege of playing on the PGA Tour, winning on the PGA Tour and competing in the Masters.

If you had asked any leading golf expert familiar with Wesley’s game, in the fall of 2015, if they saw a “Battle Field Promotion” to the PGA Tour in Wesley’s very near future I’d bet very few had such a vision. In three years of mini tour golf there was much struggle. When he hit his best stretch in the fall of 2014, a car accident stunted the run.

Wesley continued to work, believe and dream, despite “adequate foundation.” Then, in March of 2016, in Louisiana, the tides changed and the switch got flipped.

In 13 months he won 4 times, earned exempt status and plenty of money.

2018 was a bit of a struggle and the facts are he is out for most, if not all of the 2019 season for his shoulder is in need of repair. He injured it in 2017 and really had not been healthy for more than a year.

There is good news with such an event! He gets to stay home while recovering from surgery with his brand new baby, Hadley James, and his wonderful wife Elizabeth in their brand new house in Lexington for quite a while!

The Injury is a blessing in disguise.

“I can’t take my eyes off her so no telling where my mind would be playing golf,” said the happy dad.

“Also, I needed to make some swing improvements and this gives me an opportunity to get this done.”

Another great 2018 Golf story is the fact that Lauren Stephenson from Lexington earned her LPGA Tour card this fall. For now, Stephenson has moved back to Lexington and is trying to figure out where she wants to practice and play.

“Her teacher Kevin Britt is in Spartanburg and I know she will be driving back and forth quite a bit,” commented her dad Charles.

It will be a lot of fun following Stephenson on the LPGA Tour for she is a hard worker, has great playing instincts, and plays with no fear.

The lesson for today is simple, develop some ideas, goals, maybe even dreams. Don’t be afraid of thinking big or “without foundation.” Develop an action plan, get your mind right to work hard, and start your pursuit!