Last week we told you about four fans that AT&T has selected to get a behind-the-scenes look at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (see HERE). But these aren’t just average golfers – in fact, they all have a backstory that is perhaps more intriguing than the Pro-Am itself.
I love stories such as these – they highlight what our mantra has been here at GolfStinks for years: That there’s way more to golf than just what you write down on your scorecard – and these four prove it. Golf has made them what they are today: Outgoing; driven; helpful and downright inspiring. These four golfers represent everything that is good about this game…
Let’s start with Tiffany Fitzgerald, since I’ve actually spoken with and written about her before (see HERE). Ms. Fitzgerald worked in corporate America for 15 years and decided to take-up golf in hopes that it could help her career. And while she did find success in business through golf, she recognized that golf was a sport that could bring people together in general (more specifically, women and minorities, who typically wouldn’t think twice about golf due to the stereotypes surrounding the game). Ms. Fitzgerald left the corporate world and founded Black Girls Golf, an organization dedicated to helping bring African-American women together on the golf course. Check out her video below and be sure to follow Ms. Fitzgerald’s adventures at the Pro-Am via @BlackGirlsGolf.
Meanwhile, Tim Lang had a completely different introduction to golf. Mr. Lang was seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006. While trying to cope with his situation through therapy and rehabilitation, Mr. Lang discovered golf and found it, above all else, helped him the most. Perhaps he puts it best when he says “golf is a metaphor for life.” Follow Mr. Lang’s adventures this week via @TimLangGolf.
Katie Horsford was a very shy 12-year-old when she started golfing via The First Tee program. She credits golf for her new outgoing personality, helping her find friends and allowing her to giveback (via The First Tee) to other girls. Oh and by the way, she’s actually pretty good at this game too. Keep up with Ms. Horsford as she traverses Pebble Beach this week via @kthorsford.
Rounding-out the foursome is Dan McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin just up and quit his job one day to go become a pro golfer. The interesting thing was he had only played golf once to that point (at a par 3 course no less) – I mean, who does that? Well, apparently Mr. McLaughlin does – and to document his journey, he started The Dan Plan, where his goal is to put in the mandatory 10,000 hours of practice to become a pro. How ridiculous is that? Well, considering he’s logged more than 5,000 hours and is already down to a 2 handicap, I’d say not too ridiculous after all! Now obviously, Mr. McLaughlin has some talent too, but the thought of picking up a club for the first time and saying, give me 10,000 hours of practice and I’ll be a scratch golfer, just boggles my mind. Talk about dedicated – go Dan, go! Follow Mr. McLaughlin via @thedanplan.
This post is in partnership with AT&T. All opinions are GolfStinks’.
I just wrote a book about this subject. It is entitled “Golf Is More Than Your Score”. I really believe people should walk while they play golf, have good etiquette and play by the rules. It is a wonderful time to fellowship and exercise.