Golf Confessions

Ernie Els and Cliff Kresge discussed their families efforts to fight Autism.  Both Ernie and Kresge have young sons that suffer from this disease.  They, like many others are trying to find a cure for this situation that affects 1 out of every 150 young people in the US.  Hopefully with these two recognizabel figures from the PGA more attention can be brought forward and more people will be aware of this problem that affects so many.

Ernie who has not played very well after recording a win earlier in Florida insists that the Autism with his young son has not affected his performance on the golf course.  I know that these players are like the rest of society when it comes to their loved ones and family.  We all want the very best for our children and we would do everything in our power for them.  Ernie and Cliff are human and the things that go on in their lives when they are out on the golf course trying to make a living will creep into their heads.  People tend to forget that everyday things happen to these guys just as they do around your own home.  When they call home at night they get news about t-ball, dance recitals and the hot water heater blowing up just like everyone else.  The life of a professional golfer living in a hotel room week after week and eating all your meals out is not all the glamour that you may think.  This style of living gives you a lot of time to think about all the things you may be missing back home.  A lot of birthdays, ball games, gymnastic meets and all the other things that a lot of people take for granted are not shared by these athletes.

I know that Ernie and Cliff want the very best for their children, just being able to have a normal life is so important.  With a lot of help and maybe some devine intervention a cure for Autism will be found and these youngsters can enjoy a normal and happy life. 

I wish the best for these families and others that may be dealing with this situation.  To go public with this situation by private people takes a lot of courage, Sam Snead had a handicaped son and I know how much he loved his son and would do everything to help make his life easier.  This has to be in your mind all of the time. 

This week the PGA will pay tribute to one of golf’s greatest.  Lord Byron as he was known set some of the game’s greatest records, eleven in a row and eithteen wins in one season.  These records may well stand the test of time.  Not only was Byron a great golfer he was a true gentleman.  When you talk to the players they all have a kind word to say about Byron Nelson and the same was said about Byron in that no one remembers hearing Byron say anything bad about his fellow competitors.

This has been one of the most successful tournamnets the past many years after being associated with Nelson.  The Salesman Club of Dallas has also helped to make this one of the best when it comes to raising money for charity.

Byron Nelson grew up with the legendary Ben Hogan and Sam Snead was also the same age a Byron and Hogan.  Can you imagine three of the best golfers of all time being the same age.  That would be like three Nobel Peace winners being the same age, it just doesn’t happen.  What a golden area in golf this had to have been.  Byron gets credit for starting the modern swing and his career also came along at the beginning of the modern steel shafts.  Just think about going to the first tee and knowing you had to beat the likes of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan.

Byron cut his career short to enjoy his love for the country.  Nelson played during hard economic times and a lot of the money earned on the  tour came in the form of bonds.  He saved his money and bought his dream ranch in Texas and played sparingly after that.  To retire when you are in your thirties and you are just getting into your prime is not very likely in today’s golfing world.  Byron was always giving back to the game, Tom Watson credited Nelson with helping him with his game.