Mickelson Family Overcomes!
April 12th, 2010
Phil Mickelson’s victory his weekend was nothing short of stunning. Three Green Jackets and he has etched his name into the company of the likes of Faldo, Player & Snead but it was so much more that his golf game that impressed me.
The Mickelson family has been fighting breast cancer all year. Amy’s diagnosis was a shock to all when it was announced in May of 2009. You see, cancer is a non discriminatory dieases. It doesn’t care who you are, what’s going on in your life or the balance in your checking account. Cancer doesn’t care if you are a mom or dad of young children or a top player in your sport, it just goes about its business.
Phil and Amy’s attitude towards the disease was just like his 6 iron on 13 Sunday afternoon. They wieghted their options and just as Phil has done for 18 years on tour, they tackled what was in front of them with nerves of steel. Cancer is a battle and this family has handled it with grace and dignity. Not that they haven’t encountered fear or pain but they fought. The fact that Phil’s career was labled as not complete without a major in the early 2000’s he never gave up. He took his lumps but became a better player and man for his fortitude.
Amy is still fighting as well as Phil’s mom. The emotions on the golf course run high the back nine of a major championship and like the golf course, they are fighting every day as he does on every shot.
When Mom or Dad are stricken with cancer the immediate thought is for the children and how it will impact them. That in and of itself is more than most can bear but there are only two paths to take….lay up or go for it. Amy has chosen to go for it, like her husband and I too hope it is a story book ending.
To support young parents in this same situation I ask you to support the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation and its work to give families a lasting memory. Please visit www.jajf.org and partner with them to make a tangible difference in the lives of others dealing with a bad lie.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf courses, masters, PGA TOUR, Phil Mickelson
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My Dad, Easter & The Masters!
April 3rd, 2010
The first full week in April is always circled on my book as the official start of the golf season. Here in the south that means one thing, The Masters!
The weather starts to give us blooming dogwoods, azaleas and beautiful flowers surrounding the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. I have spent countless days on the hallowed grounds during the tournament and as a caddie one year back in 1996. The place never gets old and it just makes me smile and feel like a kid again.
My Dad and I spent many days strolling around Augusta National and it routinely fell on on his birthday April 6th. I lost my dad to Melonoma Cancer in 2004 and one of the things that keep his smile and endless joy in my mind are the times we spent together out there.
During the time I lived in Augusta my dad and I played a lot of golf together. He was one of those guys that always had one foot on the gas and one foot on the break and felt like we were behind right from the first shot. He was a busy business owner who had a full plate but always had time for a round golf. The fact was that during Masters he was never in a hurry or worried about his pager of cellphone, it was pure freedom for him inside those gates.
He always had a skip in his step and was thrilled to see his hero’s and watch the players on the range then perch himself over at Redbud #16. He was like a little kid when he would get a call from a friend who has a badge and offered it up to him. Sometimes he would get badge for an afternoonor for the whole day and would shoot out to do what he loved and it made him so happy.
I had the luck in 2001 to receive my own badges and to share them with him was just great. The best part was not even out on the grounds, it was the visits with him talking golf and watching the Sunday drama unfold with him as we watched on TV. He and I would sit and eat breakfast every morning reading the Augusta Chronicle’s Master Section everyday and talking about where we were the day before.
As we come upon another Masters each of us, in our own way have vivid memories of each year but for me the greatest memories of all, are not the Bears Charge in 1986, Tigers first win in 1997 or Faldo’s win over Greg Norman, its the times out in line early on brisk spring day beside my Dad acting like two kids at the top of the steps before our parents called us down for Christmas morning.
This week represents three things I love, Easter and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Dad’s birthday and the Masters Tournament. What else can be better? Bob Pritts you are forever loved and missed but never forgotten. It is only fitting that Easter, your birthday and the Masters all fall on the same week again this year. Happy Birthday Dad I know you will be watching!!
Tags: east golf, eastern golf, eastern golf tv, golf, masters, PGA TOUR
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