golfertrb

Great bag! I've always appreciated Wilson Staff and with Gary Woodland winning the US Open that should help them get some more recognition her in the States. Thanks for sharing!

That's really cool! Nice to see a human connection like that. Thanks for sharing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lynx Parallax were the first irons I bought new and the irons I made my first hole-in-one. I remember Ernie Els playing those and, of course, Freddie Couples. It was really nice to see the VT - they look great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm interested in what you find out. My has been retired and will be leaving us shortly

I used to play the tips no matter what and that sometimes a shorter course (6500 or less) was more difficult than 7000+. Since my car accident and subsequent back fusion, I don't play anything over 6800 and I'm usually around 6100-6500 depending on the course. I have a lot of birdies putts and the game is much more fun. That said, I've noticed that I'm getting longer as I'm able to swing a bit more freely now so that may change. The longer the course the longer the club I'm hitting into greens both par 3's and 4's in particular (obviously) and I am not long with my irons. 155-160 yards is a 7 iron so if I'm hitting a lot of 5 irons I just don't have a lot of birdie opportunities. That's honestly the thing that has affected my ability to score so I've moved up a tee and it has made a real difference. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh man that's too funny and it also hurts a bit [emoji15] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Safe journey and thanks so much for your service. Jobs that involve service always involve sacrifice and that sacrifice is often ignored but thank you and tell your family thank you too. Enjoy the warmer weather! I know what you mean about summers - I used to live right on Lake Erie and man September was the most beautiful month imaginable! But I don't miss the winter winds whipping off the lake! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have always liked Rocco - I was born in PA and my grandfather was a blue collar guy who enjoyed golf and that's what Rocco strikes me as; a blue collar guy who made good - so I have a soft spot for him. Was just thinking about his play in the 08 US Open - what a story that was turning out to be. I haven't seen Rory in years - I remember when Adams was so huge and Rory was sponsored by them; seems like a million years ago... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What great story! I remember how much he loved the game - that’s so cool. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Haha thanks - I told my wife and kids I told my "Paul Azinger Story" to my fellow Spies and they thought that was great. I guess it was seeing him in my world vs a golf event that threw me off so bad. It's funny because it's a story that I love even if it's embarrassing. I figured it was time to reveal just how big a golf nerd I am [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They have had SO much fun with this over the years :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely! Makes me smike every time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha no doubt - thanks Matt! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So this is a really embarrassing story but it always makes me smile - even if the smile is while I'm hiding my red face! I have had the opportunity to attend several tour events, especially practice rounds for the PGA Championship, the now defunct NEC Championship, as well as others, and during those events I've had some really great conversations with players like Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Sergio García and others. These interactions are typically only a few minutes but I have found these players gracious and I have never been star struck although certainly excited. I'm sure many of you have had similar experiences while attending tour events; my experience is not unique nor am I special in that regard. But for whatever reason, when I met Paul Azinger, I completely fell apart and here's the story - enjoy [emoji28] I had been living in Palmetto, FL for several years working as an associate pastor of a church there when I accepted a position in Ohio. It was literally my last day in Florida and I was having lunch with my father at a really great little restaurant by the name of "Peaches" in Bradenton, FL. Peaches was always busy with a long line forming for seating every day during the lunch rush. We had just gotten our food when I noticed Paul Azinger waiting in line to be seated. Paul had always been a favorite of mine. His unique swing, his passionate play in Ryder Cups, the way he spoke his mind and his friendship with Payne Stewart. Payne Stewart is from Springfield, MO and that's where I was first on my own in college, it's where I met my wife and I really learned my game at Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield. So Springfield and Payne are important figures in my development. I was moving to Ohio in January of 1999 and Paul was back playing after beating his cancer diagnosis in 1993. 1993 was a big year for Paul: he held off Payne to win the Memorial and Greg Norman to win the PGA Championship and in December he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his right shoulder. But by 1999 he was back and playing well again and would even win again in 2000 at the Sony Open. I share all of this to simply say that I KNEW a lot about Paul and could have said any number of things to him when I met him but it wasn't to be. When I saw him standing in line I somehow was transformed into a child seeing a hero for the first time and I proceeded to make an idiot out of myself. I tell my dad, "Oh my gosh! That's Paul Azinger! I've got to go say hello." So I get up and as I'm walking towards him I'm thinking of all the things I could say to him (think Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney on SNL): "Remember that time you beat Payne Stewart at the Memorial by holing out from the bunker? That was awesome. Remember that time when Payne smashed bananas in your loafers when you beat him at the Memorial? Remember when you beat Greg Norman at Inverness for your first major? That was awesome." All these thoughts were rushing through my head as I walked closer and closer to him. Suddenly I'm in front of him! He's looking expectingly at me and I'm staring awkwardly at him for what seems like minutes and I'm screaming to myself, "SAY SOMETHING!" And I blurt out:"Your Paul Azinger!" To which he replies,"Yep." This is not going well. He's looking around for some escape and I'm still standing right in front of him, sweating now, in full blown panic. I tell myself, "Come on, you can do better! You have all those facts to share - remember?" Suddenly, my mind is completely blank - I got nothing. Sensing my moment is passing, feeling my desperation and dread growing I declare with all the confidence I can muster, "I love golf!" With a look of compassion for the humiliated man in front of him, Paul smiled and said, "Yeah me too." I had the wherewithal to grab a take out menu in order to procure his autograph (which he graciously signed) and managed to slink back to my seat and finish my lunch. He was as kind and gracious as anyone could possibly be in that situation. I was humiliated and yet elated. I knew it was a moment I would never forget. In October of 1999, Payne Stewart tragically died in a plane crash and when I heard the news I cried and thought of Paul. In the days that followed Paul was in the news a lot because of his close friendship to Payne and how he handled himself made think all the more highly of him. He is a class act! This story is one my family enjoys so much because dad who is most always calm and collected and in control, was a total super fan one day in Bradenton, FL. I still have that take out menu signed by Paul Azinger and every time Paul is on the TV commentating my kids yell, "I love golf!" I sure do :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk