Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Bill Whitfield, PGA Lifetime Member (35 years and counting) of the Gateway Section (Columbia, Missouri), while giving a lesson to granddaughter, Elaine Bobo, the “organizing brain” of the RMCH’s Charity Invitational (now we know where Elaine got so much information about what to look for when organizing a first class golf event!). Mr. Whitfield’s son, Jeffrey, is also a PGA Member and is in the golf course construction business.
I do not know about you, but I do know when I am reaping the benefits of other people’s hard work. In those instances, not only do I feel truly blessed that there were some people before me to make things easier for all of us in the business, but I also know that we all have the responsibility to do the same for those who will follow us. Whether it is something that affects the immediate present, such as the hard and dedicated work of the maintenance staff that makes things much easier for us to promote and teach the game, or whether it is other PGA Professionals who find a better way to make things work in any of the complicated aspects of our profession, it is all truly appreciated.
Being a 21 year PGA Member, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of the PGA’s Sun Country Section’s life time members. Before and after I became a "senior" golfer, I always sought to spend time with those who had "been around" more than I had, and beyond pars and birdies, what I truly enjoyed was "picking their brains" about their work experience or about how to make certain things work better. Sharing time with the likes of Bill Eschenbrenner or Frank Segaline from El Paso, or Guy Wimberly from Albuquerque, is one of my favorite pastimes, and these ocassions taught me, without a doubt, that the motto of, “PGA Golf Professionals, Making Golf a Better Game” was thought of because of people like these or people like Mr. Whitfield, all of whom have earned the respect of those who play the game, as they succeded in elevating our profession to heights once thought as not reacheable.
Seeing Mr. Whitfield come on such a windy and cool day to teach his granddaughter, not only showed his need for “family time”, but showed as well, how much he still loves the game that he has taught for perhaps 45 or more years. Let’s say it like this: only those who truly love the game would have ventured to share their expertise of the golf swing in such weather conditions. So, thank you Mr. Whitfield for reminding us that while “golf is just a game”, it remains as the greatest game of all… because of people like you!
I do not know about you, but I do know when I am reaping the benefits of other people’s hard work. In those instances, not only do I feel truly blessed that there were some people before me to make things easier for all of us in the business, but I also know that we all have the responsibility to do the same for those who will follow us. Whether it is something that affects the immediate present, such as the hard and dedicated work of the maintenance staff that makes things much easier for us to promote and teach the game, or whether it is other PGA Professionals who find a better way to make things work in any of the complicated aspects of our profession, it is all truly appreciated.
Being a 21 year PGA Member, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of the PGA’s Sun Country Section’s life time members. Before and after I became a "senior" golfer, I always sought to spend time with those who had "been around" more than I had, and beyond pars and birdies, what I truly enjoyed was "picking their brains" about their work experience or about how to make certain things work better. Sharing time with the likes of Bill Eschenbrenner or Frank Segaline from El Paso, or Guy Wimberly from Albuquerque, is one of my favorite pastimes, and these ocassions taught me, without a doubt, that the motto of, “PGA Golf Professionals, Making Golf a Better Game” was thought of because of people like these or people like Mr. Whitfield, all of whom have earned the respect of those who play the game, as they succeded in elevating our profession to heights once thought as not reacheable.
Seeing Mr. Whitfield come on such a windy and cool day to teach his granddaughter, not only showed his need for “family time”, but showed as well, how much he still loves the game that he has taught for perhaps 45 or more years. Let’s say it like this: only those who truly love the game would have ventured to share their expertise of the golf swing in such weather conditions. So, thank you Mr. Whitfield for reminding us that while “golf is just a game”, it remains as the greatest game of all… because of people like you!
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