Sometimes in life and golf, its better to take it all versus playing the game we all love.
I'm currently volunteering at the 2017 US Amateur now in progress at Bel Air CC and Riviera CC in Los Angeles through Sunday where the newest US Amateur Champion will be crowned on Sunday at Riviera CC!.
If you ever want to know the state of the grand old game of golf all you need to do is spend a little time at a US Amateur to understand it's in great shape!
These young gifted players from around the world speak volumes for where the game is headed and we're fortunate and owe a tip of our hat to the generations before them and to the parents and teachers of life and the game of golf who've guided the current generation coming of age in golf.
The families, friends and teachers who are with them guiding them and providing the mental and physical skills along with the simple graces of, "Thank You" are to be commended as they deserve much after how you see these young men try to achieve a goal many of us only dreamed of.
I'm most fortunate to have met many of the families, friends and teachers. I met Dawson Armstrong's family from Tennessee who simply are among America's finest in every conceivable way as they all are here supporting their son, brother and boyfriend from sun up at the driving range to sun down back at the driving range.
While grabbing a hamburger after a long day at Bel Air CC we headed to In'n Out Hamburgers in Westwood, where a young man name Luis Gagne from Orlando Florida was sitting with his coach. Luis didn't make the cut. He was having (2) Double Doubles! His first In'n Out! His smile was ear to ear. He was starved. After all he said, "I feel like I've hiked and golfed a mountain all day! It was an experience I'll always be grateful for and remember the rest of my life."
So there it is. A life experience!
Golf. A game that reveals character unlike any other.
I'm the grateful one. Having this experience is something that has renewed many things for me personally and in golf!
Lastly, KUDOS to the USGA....they do it BEST! Be a Volunteer everyone...its one of golf's best experiences without golfing!
PS: And lastly...the ProV1 was the #1 ball of preference from my viewpoint as Marshal of the #9 Tee Box