Tgolfer Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 I started swinging a golf club when I was a little under three years old but, I wouldn't fall in love with golf until my return from Iraq and the trials of warfare. While driving through a dangerous area south of Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded as my Humvee was passing – two pieces of shrapnel went through my lower IBA and into my back. I would remain in Iraq for 8 months and in April 2004, I returned from the deployment a disabled soldier. My life was changed forever and the pain in my back would change my disposition on all of my abilities. Meanwhile, a few friends in my Unit decided that they wanted to buy new golf clubs and start playing golf (after returning from a deployment, our commanders allowed us a lot of free time to relax and recover from the stresses of life in war-time). My love for golf would grow but I was far from being a “golfer.†We played golf a good amount, but the pain in my back was often too much for me to endure and I started to play less and less until one day I decided I needed the money and I sold my golf clubs. In September 2005, I would leave the Army and head back home to Austin, Texas to start my college career at Austin Community College. I had stopped playing golf and in fact, I had stopped being active all together. I used the pain in my back as an excuse to be lazy and I began to gain weight. With every added pound, the pain in my back would only increase. Three years passed and I went from being a 175-pound athletic person, to weighing 255 pounds and doing everything I could to resist any physical activity. In 2008, I was accepted to Texas State University – this is where golf grabbed me and changed my life. A friend of mine named Raquel was working in the recreation department at Texas State and I had mentioned how I wanted to coach someday and she told me about a position through the REC department that would allow me to coach a Jr Golf Program. Raquel introduced me to the manager of the Texas State Golf Course who quickly decided to allow me to take over the program. Some of the perks of being an employee was being able to play the course for free and anytime I wanted. My father would buy me a pushcart and I began to walk the course and as a result, I began to change my disposition on my abilities as a golfer and as person again. But nearly a year into working at the REC program, adversity struck again. My entire golf bag was stolen with all my golf clubs and a bag of golf attire (I was heading back to Austin for the weekend and planning on doing some laundry at my parents house). It was a setback for sure, but I wasn't going to let it stop me. Golf didn't just help me lose weight and be more active; it allowed me to understand the world again. Golf showed me that I could still be competitive, that I could set goals and achieve those goals. The lessons I learned on the fairways transferred to my life. I have now lost the weight that I have struggled with over the years to lose; I have gained strength in my back, legs and shoulders. My back will always be a problem for me but now I know I can work through the pain and still do what I love to do. In May 2011, I graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos and recently moved out to San Angelo Texas where I started working for Bentwood Country Club as the Head Coach for the Jr High School Golf program. I eventually want to become a PGA Teaching Pro. I moved out to West Texas with my fiancé who has been my biggest supporter and I could not have done it without her and now she ‘s my wife. I'm teaching in Austin Texas and I am the Head Golf Coach at the school I teach at! Life is great! Quite simply, golf saved my life. It showed me that I could do anything if I practiced and worked hard. I want to spend my life sharing my passion for golf and showing how golf is more than just a game but a way of life and a strength I take deep pride in! Glad to be a member of a great website like My Golf Spy! fozcycle, MGoBlue100, Kenny B and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozcycle Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 First, thanks for your service & scrifice, Tgolfer! I am very pleased that you decided to join us at My Golf Spy. Hopefully, you will be able to provide inciteful opinions regarding the game of golf, as a Junior Coach, a Veteran & a Golfer. Quote Driver: 0811 XF 12* w/Evenflo Riptide CB Senior shaft Fairways: 0211 5W & 7W w/ Evenflo Riptide CB regular shaft and Tour Edge E521 9W w/Fubuki HD50 regular shaft Hybrid: None in bag at the moment Irons: Titleist T300 5-PW w/Fubuki MV Senior graphite shafts w/Golf Pride Tour Wedges: Titleist T300 48* GW w/Fubuki MV Senior shaft and Edison forged 53* and 57* wedges with KB PGI Senior shafts(80 grm). Putter: 33” Evnroll ER2 w/Evnroll Gravity Grip or Nike Method Core Drone w/Evnroll Gravity Grip Bag: Vice cart bag(Black/Lime). Ball: Maxfli Tour CG, Titleist Pro V1x or Titleist TruFeel Using Shot Scope X5 and MG4000 Rangefinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudgeSmails Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 very cool picture, welcome to the forums Quote Driver: TR20 10.5* Fairway: Epic Speed 5w Hybrid: Epic 4h 23* Irons: JPX900 Hot Metal 5-GW Wedges: CBX2 52* 56* 60* Putter: M Craft Type V Ball: Tour BXS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Welcome from the Pacific Northwest! Glad you joined us. What a great story of accomplishment!! Thanks for your service and looking forward to your thoughts. Great pic!! Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP The Dansome Posted June 27, 2016 SPY VIP Share Posted June 27, 2016 Welcome to the forums and thank you very much for taking some real time to introduce yourself. Look forward to interacting with you in the future. Mr_Theoo 1 Quote Yo #JustPlayBetter Follow @GolfSpyMBP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigtazzGolf Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Welcome to MGS Tim! Tazz Quote Grip n Rip it Chicks dig the LONG ball In my staff bag King F7+ Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 60 - Graphite Tour X-Stiff CBX 13.5 3 Wood Atomic Irons 4-AW (reviewing) CG16 Satin 52* 588 RTX 2.0 56* and 60* Sentio Sierra 101-M Putter Proud tester of the Tommy Armour ATOMIC Irons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmikecpa Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Welcome to the forums and thank you for your service and sacrifice. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote WITB 2023 Epic Max LS 10.5* Graphite Design AD DI 7x X2Hot Pro 3 Deep Graphite Design AD GT 8x Apex UW 17* UST Elements Wind 9x X Forged CB 4 - PW MMT 105TX Jaws Raw 50* TTDG TI Spinner 115 Jaws Full Toe 54* & 58* TTDG TI Spinner 115 Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlew2144 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Welcome to MGS. Thank you for your service!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
808nation Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Welcome Tgolfer, you went through a lot to get to where you are now, hope everything is well. Thank you for your service and good luck on your journey. Sent from MyGolfSpy mobile Quote WITB: Driver: Sim2 Max w/ Fujikura Motore X F3 shaft FW Wood: F9 wood 14.5* Hybrids: Sim2 Max 3 Hybrid & Vapor Flex 4 hybrid Irons: Z565 - 7 thru PW & ZU85 - 5 thru 6 with Recoil ZT9 F4 shafts Wedges: RTX4 52*, 56*, 60* Putter: Scotty Cameron M2 Newport Ball: Black & Pro V1 Bag: 2018 MyGolfSpy stand Bag & 2021 Greenside Golf stand bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGoBlue100 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Welcome! Thanks for your service to our great nation. That's a kick ass picture! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote "Where'd it go?" "Right in the Lumberyard..." Gen 2 0811 XF 10.5* Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6x Tour B JGR 15* Fairway UST ProForce V2 7F5 76g X-Flex Tour B JGR 19* & 22* Hybrid UST ProForce V2 90g X-Flex Tour B JGR HF-2 irons (5i - PW) KBS Tour 130x CBX Wedges (50, 54, 58) TT Dynamic Gold 115 Wedge Shaft MATI Mamo Putter 33" Super Stroke Football League 3.0 Slim Precision Pro Nexus Rangefinder FAN! PRO Member Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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