Five Lessons Learned from Bubba Watson's 10th PGA Victory

On Sunday, February 18, 2018, Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson—one of the original Golf Boys and a two-time Masters champion secured his 10th win in the Professional Golf Association (PGA). As a longtime fan of the now second winningest lefty in the game (Phil Mickelson is #1 with 42 PGA wins), this victory illuminated five truths that resonate with Sports and Spirituality.

1. The importance of staying loose.
It's no secret that Watson is one of the more tightly wound golfers in the game. His nerves are visible, nearly palpable. And, his inability to control them at times has led many to deride him for his treatment of Teddy Scott, his caddy of 16+ years. 

Having played on the tour for 15 years now, Watson has had to figure out ways to stay loose and manage his demons. Perhaps playing the in the NBA All-Star shoot-around on Friday, February 16 enabled him to loosen up. Watson, who played basketball in high school (and is married to a woman who played at UGA as for the  Canadian National Team) had his shot easily blocked and put up a big, bad airball in this contest! 

In spite of it all, Watson has never been afraid to laugh at himself. I have a feeling this is one of the more effective ways to take the edge off of golf, a game that is both mentally and physically taxing. Whatever it takes for you to "stay loose" is worth considering!

2. Never be afraid to let it all go
On the final hole, Watson's ball was "away"—meaning that he should have putt next. Instead, his opponents took their putt so that he—the winner—could have and hold that final moment. I loved this gesture.

The minute that 7-foot putt went in the hole, Watson let it all go. Waterworks. Bubba fans have seen this before, especially upon winning the 2012 Masters where he hugged his mom, a recent widow and held her tight.

Many might question his tears; "What's the big deal? Why get so choked up?" and on one hand, that's fair. On the other, however, Bubba affirms what so many golfers know is true: it's so hard to win. Golf is one of the few games where the winner has beaten everyone else in the field. For example, tennis players or football teams play only those in their bracket or league. There's no defense in golf; one doesn't play tactically against another golfer. It man or woman vs. the game. Damn, it's raw. Furthermore, those tears are a sincere reflection of who Watson truly is. He very sensitive. He's masculine and "all guy" at times—AND not but—he is in touch with his emotions and feelings. He wears his heart on his sleeve and though not everyone is a fan of that, I am.

3. The questions we ask ourselves
Through the tears, Bubba said: 

There's so many emotions going through my head right now, never know if you're going to play good again, never know if you're going to be able to lift a trophy again. 

"So many things, I thought about retirement. I mean there's just so much stuff going through my head right now. I can't believe I'm going to lift the trophy."

Athlete or not, I don't know a single person who can't relate to those words. We all face questions and have doubt. We say "the struggle is real" too often in jest and yet we know it IS real. I appreciate that in this moment of victory, Watson was able to share the difficult road and the questions he asked himself to get there. By no means does it compromise what he achieved. In fact, his honesty only enhances the #10.

4. The power of setting and meeting a goal
Watson's first words in his post-win interview were "My goal has always been to get 10 wins, and so, this got me to my 10th win." At that moment, I realized the significance of meeting that goal, the journey it took to get there, the doubts he shared/temptation to talk away and ultimately his commitment to persevere made this win that much sweeter. 

I think that goal setting can be contagious. When I heard of his accomplishment—beyond the win—I began to consider the goals that I have. What are they? What steps am I taking to achieve them? Who have I talked to about my goals? I hope hearing people share the goals they have achieved cause you to consider the goals you have too.

5. Gratitude and Humility
Watson has been outspoken about his Christian faith. He said, "Obviously, God's given me a gift to play golf and I'm not too good at anything else." In this moment of both humility and humor, he recognized the One who enabled him to stay "in it to win it" and concluded his remarks by thanking his wife and kids and Teddy. 

His gratitude, his unconventional swing, his emotional game, his fear and doubt, his confidence and his triumphs made me hope for...another 10 more?! Congrats to my favorite Golf Boy: Bubba Watson.


Photo Credits
NBA All Star 
el Champion
Fist Bump

My Golf Boys 2.0

Does the term/idea/concept of "the Golf Boys" mean anything to you? Maybe you've seen on them PGA tour. You might have heard of them or heard them sing. That's right—this boy band on the PGA tour consists of some popular and talented golfers: Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Ben Crane and Bubba Watson. In 2011, they created a YouTube video for the song "Oh Oh Oh" which caught on among golf enthusiasts and beyond. The brain child of Ben Crane, Farmers Insurance donates $1,000 for every 100,000 views of the video. The proceeds support both Farmers and Ben Crane charitable initiatives.

My students love it and so do I. Their goofiness sheds a fun and fresh light on a sport that too often is considered stuffy and one for retired folks. But, if you've spent any time around a high school boys' golf team, I think you understand. Golf Boys on the PGA tour or not are one in the same. 

Last week, I was asked by the varsity boys' golf coach if I could help him out for the second round of Central Coach Section (CCS) divisional play-offs. In Southern California for a family commitment, he was in need of a coach or teacher to drive the guys to Rancho Canada golf course in Carmel Valley and work with them as needed.

I was reluctant to commit. The end of the year is already chaotic, I wasn't sure that I could miss a day of class, let alone muster the energy or desire to drive six guys in a van for two hours there and back. But deep down, I knew I could help. Two-thirds of my seniors would be taking the AP Government test on the day of the match and I was free the day/night before. Having taught all four seniors, I knew the squad. When I found out I could also play a practice round as soon as we arrived, I began to see: a burden was becoming a blessing. Life, all too often, can be like that.

Love this sign that greets you when you enter the shared parking lot of Rancho Canada golf course & a community church.
Why can't you do both when you go left?!

We started our trip with a heartfelt prayer for safe passage. We arrived in Monterey county to sunny skies and very light wind. I joined the three senior captains in a fun foursome. We shared two great meals and some unforgettable laughs.

At CCS, golf coaches are not allowed to give any advice or instruction to their players during the round of 18. It's tremendously counter-intuitive for a coach to keep silent and distant. However, this role freed me up to observe the competition, the way the players respect the rules, the game and one another. It was exciting. There was some great golf.

We stood in a viewers gallery as the scores came in group by group. The lowest five scores of a team's six players determine the outcome. We waited in anticipation for the numbers with the hopes that the team would advance to the next round. It wasn't to be.

Make no mistake about it, the guys were disappointed. The team posted a high score and several players did not have good rounds. The start of the van ride home was a little quiet and sullen until a few jokes, stories and video games in—and things changed. I can't put in writing all that I learned and that we shared, but that experience reminded me of something Cooper Manning once said.

This Manning had to stop playing football at Ole Miss during his freshman year. In an interview for "The Book of Manning" he recalls how he felt and why. Even twenty years later as he recalls what went down, he is brought to tears. It's powerfully moving, because it's so real. He said "I think what I miss most about football is—the guys. Not winning or losing or catching touchdowns, it's the locker room, the bus rides home. That was good stuff."

These golf boys reminded me of the best part of being on a team. Manning's right. It's not the W's or section titles. It really is the guys...the one sophomore, the nutty junior and the cool seniors. It's about the van ride home—getting locked out of it in Gilroy, listening to Joe's music, and more.

Team Golf Boys

If you watch the PGA tour, you will see that the Golf Boys is more than just four men having fun. They are good friends and the closest thing to teammates the professional tour can offer. When Watson won the Masters in 2012, all three golf boys were on hand to hug and congratulate him for his feat. Maybe you noticed Watson and his adorable son Caleb were on hand at the 18th green to congratulate Rickie Fowler for a killer round that put him into the aggregate playoff at The Players Championship. 

It's all real...Golf Boys on the tour near and far, you are the reason we come back for more. Thanks Justin, Joe, Zach, Johnny, Kyle and MarcAnthony!

The Beauty of the Masters

At lunch on Monday, riding high from the Masters tourney, I cornered the JV boys golf coach and another colleague who spends 10 days every summer golfing in Scotland. I told them "I can't wait to talk to you two." I wanted nothing more than to geek out and talk about The Masters for the next 40 minutes.

Another colleague saw us and said "Is it all golf talk at this table?" I wanted to run pass interference against her so we would not have to curtail our conversation. I responded with an emphatic "yes" but she sat down anyway. It was at that point, I realized just how many others enjoyed the 2015 Masters too It wasn't just a day for golf enthusiasts. Sports fan and non-sports fan alike were witnesses to an incredible day, an awesome feat, good stories and true beauty.

With this blog post, I'd like to offer a few things worth remembering.

• Every good story becomes better when told by a great narrator. The announcers at The Masters are second to none. I love the sing-song brogue of Northern Ireland's David Ferhety and the British accent of Nick Faldo nearly lulls you to sleep. And Jim Nantz gives it the class and authority the first of the four majors deserves. 

• Several of their comments will stay with me. In addition to some players having "nerves of titanium," these are good ones.
• We talk about learning from mistakes all the time.
  Sometimes I am wary of this adage as I tell my students that some mistakes in life are too big to make, the consequences too grave. But in many domains, it's true, mistakes can be our best teachers. And that was important for no one more than Jordan Spieth. Perhaps you remember his performance in the 2014 Masters. As written for CBS Sports
• He entered the final round tied at 5-under, but Watson shot 69 to Spieth's 72. Jonas Blixt finished alongside Spieth in second place at 5-under
  But none of that was predictable given the way the day began. A birdie at the par-5 2nd got Spieth moving in the right direction. Then, at No. 4, he holed a thrilling bunker shot to move two strokes ahead of Watson. Spieth gave one back at No. 5, but then rolled in consecutive birdies at Nos. 6 & 7.
• It started to come unraveled for Spieth at the wrong time, since it perfectly coincided with Watson's charge. Spieth had a two-stroke lead on the tee at No. 8, and he started the second nine two strokes off Watson's pace after consecutive bogeys.that
• Nothing unraveled this year for Jordan Spieth. And Sir Nick Faldo made note of it when he said, "All the greats learn from their mistakes and do it quickly. That is a mark of a champion." Translation: for those seeking excellence, implement change sooner rather than later. Here, here.

• Fortune Falls on the Brave:
• If are looking for a putting clinic, perhaps I can recommend just watching Spieth during the final round. He did so much, so well. His line, his pace, his aim. Mastery. Phil Mickelson knew he would need to do the same in order to recover from being four shots behind the leader. He did what he could and went for it. We knew he would.

Phil had a great putt but it missed on this hole. He was still able to smile & enjoy the feat. So close...

• Dark Colors and Aggression:
• In one of my favorite comments, Mickelson said he would be wearing dark colors on Sunday. "It's been proven that NFL teams that wear dark colors play more aggressively and that's what I will need to do tomorrow." Atta boy Phillie. Anyone who really knows you speaks of how competitive you are. I love the fact that you aimed to do what men wearing helmets and full pads aim to do. Be aggressive. You went for it..and we love that.
• You are Not Bo Jackson:
• As written in the Bleacher Report, Tiger Woods dispels major doubts about his game and finishes all four rounds at Augusta, but not without incident as he injures his wrist in Sunday’s final round of the Masters. He"jammed his iron into a tree root on the ninth hole and hurt his right wrist. He said, 'a bone kinda popped out and a joint kind of went out of place, but I put it back in.' If you were watching you saw that hitting the tree root caused him to yell out in pain and shake his wounded extremity."
• My two favorite Sports Talk radio announcers had a hey-day with this. Not long ago, Tiger talked about "deactivating his glutes." In the history of the game, not once has a golfer spoke of their gluteal muscle(s). Tiger, however, speaks of putting his joint back into place and/or popping it back in. Murph & Mac wants Tiger to realize hs is not Bo Jackson—who really did pop his hip bone back into its socket. Watch Jackson run, take hits, climb walls, dive for catches and you will know he did. Sorry Tiger, your tree root, your 7 iron and your hand convinced no one.

Walking off with his parents Shawn & Chris

• On the final hole, Justin Rose, the second place finisher, who was partnered with Spieth throughout the day, held back on the walk to the final green. A gracious competitor, he did this so Spieth could take in the applause, cheers and sight of what was about to happen: his first major victory.
  
  That moment gets me every time. It is timeless. I get completely choked up and tears fill my eyes. I asked myself Why does this happen? What is it? I shared my question with a few others and I came to an important realization. When you see beauty, pure and true, it moves the heart. I can't help but capture your emotions and strike something deep within.
  
  Quite often, we are moved to tears when we see beauty in a newborn, at a friend's wedding or in a moment of reconciliation. Where we find beauty is as unique as we are. I happen to find it on a golf course in Augusta, Georgia. I find it in a game played at the highest level, exposing the talents and gifts of a young man. I see it in the love and support of his parents, grandfather, girlfriend Annie and three closest friends from Dallas Jesuit as he walked to the clubhouse.
  
  I can't wait to see it again...I know what will happen when I do. Tears, a movement of the heart and a deep desire to share it all with those I know love that beauty as much as I do. Maybe it should be said "And on the 7th day, the Lord watched a round of golf"...because He did.

Photo Credits
Phil Mickelson
Green Jacket

What Bubba Watson Taught Me About St. Joseph....

Our school liturgy on Friday honored St. Joe.

My mom believes that Mother's Day and Father's Day were made up by Hallmark. She got this from her father, my grandfather. They don't think there should be an arbitrary day set by a company to profit on something we should do everyday. After all, honoring our mothers and fathers is one of the commandments. But the truth of the matter is if my brother, sister or I forget to call our mom or send our dad a card on this day, we will hear about it for years to come. All of this is my way of saying that I think many Spanish speaking countries have it right—the Feast of St. Joseph is also Father's Day—Dia del padre. Whether or not one is a Christian, the example the Joseph provides is one that all men can learn from and appreciate.

One of my favorite Father's Days was spent with my mom, dad and sister at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. After brunch in the main dining room, we went downstairs to the grill room/bar area to watch the men's US Open (golf). My dad, who proclaimed how overly full he felt from the buffet was still able to order a few beers and make room for their addictive peanuts and pretzels. That's my dad, he always has room for a beer, especially when an a good sports event is underway. Some of my favorite memories with my dad are going to Pac-10 football games with him to watch his brother, my uncle referee it. We've been to more than our fair share of Notre Dame football games together, traveling far to do so. He saves highlights and interviews of athletes and coaches for me he knows I'll enjoy. I do the same for him.

I came to love ND through my dad.

Sports have taught he a lot about my father. He earned a tennis scholarship which allowed him to attend Seattle University. He is the one who signed me for lessons at the age of 12. I still remember what he said: I hope you enjoy this sport as much as I do. It's one you can play for the rest of your life. He was right, I enjoyed it as much as he did, maybe even more. Of all sports, I consider tennis as "my first love." My dad also comes from a fanatical sports family. You could say that it rubbed off on me. Sports is just one thing I have come to love through my father.

From time to time I have wondered what Jesus came to love through his own early father. In "My Life with the Saints," James Martin writes, "Before his public ministry, we know that he must was trained in the trade of carpentry (The Greek word used in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew is tekton which can be variously translated as "craftsman" or "woodworker" but traditionally rendered as "carpenter.") And with that, Joseph would have passed on to Jesus the values required to become a good carpenter: patience, judgment and persistence.

The life of St. Joseph is considered a "hidden" one. Joseph, Jesus' earthly father speaks no words in the Gospel and there are but a few lines written about him. Although we know very little about him, his impact had to have been tremendous. Let that serve as a metaphor for relationships we have with others. I think of my friend Chris whose father died 10 years ago. I know they were very close. Even though I never met his dad, part of me feels as though I have. March 19 is a wonderful day to do that.

So Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10, 2015 and Father's Day is Sunday, June 21 (always the final round at the US Open if you need an easy way to remember).

Maybe Watson, now a father of two--he and his wife have adopted a boy and a girl, will win this year's US Open!

And the reason I write all of this is because I have been commissioned to write regularly for a blog about a holy woman named Cora Evans. There is a movement toward her canonization and this arm of social media aims to draw attention to her cause. Linked here is the reflection I wrote entitled: The Dream of St. Joseph. One of the golfers my dad and I both love made me think of St. Joe in a new way. Enjoy.

Laugh, Think, Cry....Everyday

Today was my final class with the Fall semester seniors enrolled in Sports and Spirituality. I loved this diverse group. They were smart, funny, open to new ideas, they asked thoughtful questions, the challenged each other in a respectful and spirited way. They also did (most of) their work...

What a great class. I miss them already.

The course concludes with a Sports and Spirituality synthesis. It's fun to see what athletes and saints they admire, who they wish we had discussed, what readings/articles spoke to them, and an image captures their spirituality (next blog posting!). After their presentations, I share my own remarks. I like to leave them with a parting wish for their future. Consider it a spiritual charge.

Ever since my spiritual director asked me to consider "What is God's dream for you?" my final words have addressed a common theme—not exactly pursuing your dreams but rather— the relationship between spirituality and dreams. When I heard her question, I could only think of a very personal and loving God. God has a dream for me? I know that scripture reveals the way that God has spoken to humanity through dreams (Joseph, Christ's earthly father), but this was different.

I like to think my spirituality is the way I carry out and work towards God dream for me. When I am in touch with my spiritual self, I am doing just that. My deepest desires give me purpose and passion. Sports is never far from that. At its best, athletics has the ability to be a showcase for the spiritual sense... if we have the eyes to see it—in the world and in ourselves.

One of my all time favorite responses to "How does it feel to have won the Masters?"....

And so in the Spring of 2012, I left my students with the words of Bubba Watson. Upon winning the 2012 Masters he said "I never got this far in my dreams." Clearly, he lived his life in such a way that prepared him for that feat. 

In the wake of the 2012 World Series title, I could not help but reference the words of the MVP, Pablo Sandoval. He said "I never imagined the president was going to write me.  That the presidential candidate was also going to write to me.  Many stars have written to me.  I’m a young man who suddenly receives all that in just a day?  My mother couldn’t be at the World Series, but every day she told me “Never wake up from this dream.” Panda reminds us that not only can our dreams come true...but when and if they so, remain grateful.

As I gathered my thoughts for this special group, I came to see every semester gives birth to a new charge. In the words of Pedro Arrupe, SJ "What touches our heart, what amazes us with joy and gratitude" is ever new, ever changing—and so are we. This is why I think it's so important to understand spirituality.

LTC...everyday

And so today I shared with them three words that have become a mantra in my life—Laugh, Think, Cry or "LTC." These are the words of the late Jim Valvano, who inspired millions both as a coach and a human being. On March 4, 1993, but a month before he died, he was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first annual ESPY Awards. In his acceptance speech, he said

To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.

My friend and I re-encountered these words when we watched the "30 for 30" film about North Carolina State's 1983 Championship run, called Survive and Advance. I can't think of a conversation with this friend that has gone 2 for 3.  Tears of joy, tears of laughter, one thought after another, even when we're not in touch.  That's what those we truly love help us do: laugh, think and cry. And some have the ability to do so everyday. Wow!

I wanted my students to know this motto and I wanted them to know it's a part of me. In that sense, I shared my own spirituality. 

I hope they will have relationships that engender all three. I hope they will find in themselves the ability to do each every single day. I hope they know even God is in on this....and that athletics will provide them with examples to understand their own dreams, credos and more. LTC...everyday.

Photo Credits
Triumph

Bubba Watson: Honoring Three Women on Mother's Day

Noticeably absent from The Players Championship, Bubba Watson is celebrating Mother’s Day in a very special way this year.  The 2012 Masters champion announced his decision not to play at TPC Sawgrass via Twitter.  He wrote

I've decided to pull out of the Players. I need to spend more time with Caleb and Angie, plan to take at least a month off."

"The Players is one of the best weeks of the year but bonding with my son and wife is what it is all about right now."

"Sorry to disappoint fans but the Players has one of the best fields all year, tourney is more than fine without me."

Instead of competing to win a tourney with the largest purse in golf, my guess is that Bubba will be honoring three very special women. 

At first it seemed strange to me to see a 6’4” 33-year old professional athlete hugging and crying with his mom upon his victory.  Read a little bit about Bubba Watson’s life however and you’ll soon come to realize he never would have gotten there without her.

Giving thanks to his mom and dad, the article, Hooray for Bubba Watson, a real champ who wears pink reveals

“My parents said if you work hard at golf and practice and you keep showing us effort, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to play golf and perform. So my mom had a paper route at — probably my 10th-grade year. It’s hard to talk about. … I don’t like to talk about it," he said, choking up. “She worked hard to support me and show me the ways that I should support my family and my kids to come, as many sacrifices as her and my dad made. It was just hard.

Molly Watson’s sacrifice and humility is inspiring.  It is one of many reasons moms deserve loving recognition today.

2. His wife Angie. As many people know, the Watson’s adopted their son Caleb just two weeks before the Masters.  What they don’t know are the many challenges they faced to become parents.

Angie told Bubba from the start of their relationship that she would not be able to have children.  The illness and death of Watson's father, Gerry kept them from attempting to adopt until the winter of 2011–12. And one week prior to the adoption of their one-month old son, the adoption of an infant girl fell through in the final moment. 

I am sure many couples seeking to adopt are not surprised by the Watson’s plight.  I hope however they take comfort in the end result.  Two children were given life: that little girl and their little boy.  Bubba's choice to be with his wife and son on this day should be of no surprise.

3. His son’s birth mother. 
Unfortunately, I believe too many people in America today equate “choice” with abortion.  I wish that choice leaned toward the question of how best to raise a child.  Should I keep the child myself?  Can I raise him or her?  Do I have the community and support to help me do this?  If I can’t raise the child, can the father?  Will another family be able to give my child what I cannot? 

It’s easy to say that Watsons are grateful that Caleb’s birth mother chose life.  The beauty is that countless others are as well—Molly Watson, Caleb’s future friends and even his daddy’s fans.

The three women in Bubba Watson’s life demonstrate that motherhood is not without tremendous sacrifice and selflessness. Christians can look to their example as well as that of Mary to contemplate the spirituality of motherhood. 

Mary raised her son knowing of the pain and suffering he would endure. She encouraged him at the wedding feast of Cana to exercise his divinity.  She stood at his cross as He gave his life for us.  She met with the apostles in their fear and conferred with the Holy Spirit.  And she was raised in glory, body and soul into heaven to forever be with God the father, creator and source of all life and love.

Today let us honor our heavenly and spiritual mother Mary, and the women who have given us life and loved us in the way that only a mother can. Their spirituality is worth contemplating.

Photo Credits
Watson Family
Bubba and Son
Molly and Bubba

Bubba Watson Reveals God's Dream For Us...

Talk about a dream, try to make it real.  You wake up in the night, and the fear is so real --Bruce Sprinsteen, Badlands

Upon winning the Masters, Bubba Watson, said “I never got this far in my dreams.” Alasdair Reid reports "Before his final winning 6-inch putt, Watson called for silence and a moment to compose himself. His feelings run so high, so close to the surface, that it wasn’t entirely a joke. Only a month ago, he and his wife Angie adopted their first child, Caleb. Everybody loves Watson, a natural-born blubberer. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, except when they slip down to his wrist."

I wasn’t surprised to see this 6’3” athlete crying or hugging his mama upon winning the 76^th Masters, but Bubba Watson’s response caught me off guard. The Masters is often the first tournament mentioned by professional golfers when asked which one they would like to win before the end of their career. Renown for its sheer beauty with pristine, tight links and the blazing azaleas at Augusta National, the Masters has seen legendary performances and as the first of the four majors, it sets a tone for the year of golf.  As  Bubba took the stands, I wondered, Why did this man from the panhandle town of Bagdad Florida who played at the University of Georgia not see the green jacket in his dreams?

Perhaps it is because Bubba Watson never took a formal golf lesson and he never had a private swing coach. "My dad taught me everything I know," Watson says. "It's not very much, but that's all I know."  His advice on how to become a good golfer is to “just play.”

In Sports Illustrated at the Masters: One-on-One with Bubba Watson, Shane O’donoghue asked the same question, but from another angle.  He said "You’re a very creative golfer.  What about visualization?  Did you visualize yourself wearing this green jacket you have on now?"

In this day and age of sports psychology and the practice of visualization as a discipline for most athletes, it was interesting to hear once again that Bubba’s response was no different. “No. As a kid, when you dream about making putts to win tournaments, you never think about after you make the putt.   You always think about making the putt, waving your hands to the crowd and that’s it.  You never think about the whirlwind after it. Putting on the green jacket—making sure it fits right, talking to people, talking to the media. You never think about the excitement and what you’ll do after you win it.   And after I won, I didn’t know what to do.” 

So how did he do it? I’ve been talking with my seniors about dreams and spirituality.  We watched an excerpt from the late “Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture: Pursuing Your Childhood Dreams." On an episode of Oprah, he and admits, ”The talk isn’t just about how to achieve your childhood dreams.  It’s much broader than that. It’s about how to live your life because if you live your life the right way, the dreams will come to you. If you live your life properly the dreams will come to you.”

I think we can make a case that the highest ranked golfer in the United States is doing just that. According to Power and Grace “When Watson came out on Tour he was so hard on himself, he scared people away with his brooding. As he has learned to minimize the negativity—he credits his wife's steadying influence and being born again in 2004 with altering his perspective—Watson has made deep friendships, which explains why Aaron Baddeley, Ben Crane and Rickie Fowler followed the playoff on foot.” All golfers know the mental contest; especially on Master’s Sunday is a brutal element of the game. Bubba may not have had a formal lesson or coach, but the personal adjustments speak to how he is living his life right. Indeed, the dreams have come to him.

My spiritual director once asked me “What is God’s dream for you?” I stopped in my tracks and sat up straight. What a beautiful question. God has a dream for me?  Yes, God does. Our God, who is personal and loving, holds a dream for all of God’s children. Although Bubba Watson may not have seen that dream until it became a reality, perhaps the Lord, the master architect did.  Alleluia!

Photo Credits
Bubba and Mama

Trying on the Green Jacket
Ridiculous Shot

 

Easter & Masters Sunday: Alleluia!

On Friday, Tiger Woods threw and kicked his club. Woods, a 35-year old man is a professional athlete in need of spiritual discipline. His teammate at Stanford, Casey Martin once said Professional golf is the most selfish endeavor in the world. Everything revolves around what you do. That’s the way it has to be because the team is you. It’s not a team, it’s you. Bearing examples of unsportsmanlike behavior and the true nature of the sport, why would watching the 2012 Masters be an ideal way to spend Easter Sunday?

Every Easter we remember and celebrate the triumph of the cross, the resurrection, and that death has no victory. But the joy of Easter lies in the truth that God and God’s goodness surpass our expectations. It’s not fair to compare the two, but Masters Sunday does as well.

I had high hopes for Phil Mickleson going in today’s final round. I wanted the three-time champion to join Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods as the only golfers with at least four victories at the season’s first major championship. But it’s hard to deny that today’s champion isn't special. For one, his name is Bubba. Although a man named Gerry Watson who goes by "Bubba" may not fit the mold of a club that still forbids membership to females, he is as close to Augusta National will get to a “local hero.” In 2002 he helped lead the University of Georgia to a Southeastern Conference Championship. I think a significant number of Bulldogs were on hand to cheer him to victory today.

And on the second hole today, fans near and far were treated to a shot that has never before been captured on television as the Masters. Louis Oosthuizen, the runner up, shot a double eagle on the second hole, a par-5, today. The 235-yard four-iron spun dead sideways and trickled 60 feet into the hole on the last turn into the pin; it was as if a magnet pulled that 1.68“ ball to it.

The glory of this day however was most fully revealed in the sudden death playoff. In 2012 Masters: Oosthuizen’s ‘Albatross’ a once-in-a-lifetime shot, Thomas Boswell writes

Before his final winning 6-inch putt, Watson called for silence and a moment to compose himself. His feelings run so high, so close to the surface, that it wasn’t entirely a joke. Only a month ago, he and his wife Angie adopted their first child, Caleb. Everybody loves Watson, a natural-born blubberer. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, except when they slip down to his wrist.

“I never got this far in my dreams,” said a red-eyed Watson, whose late father was in the U.S. special forces. Typical of Watson, he told Oosthuizen after his double-eagle, “I’d have run over and given you a high five, but it wouldn’t have looked right.”

It should not have looked right, but perhaps it is because it was Masters Sunday it did. While speaking with the press after his loss, Oosthuizen recalled the day with joyful enthusiasm and an authentic smile. His body language said it all—what a great day! Indeed, he understood that he contributed to the best memories of the 76th Masters.

And learning just a little bit about Bubba Watson will give you pause to reconsider Casey Martin’s words. Upon his victory, Bubba’s mother Molly embraced him and didn’t let go. The fans—fellow UGA alums and fraternity brothers felt the win belonged to them as much as Mr. Watson. Watson then walked off the green and hugged Rickie Fowler and Ben Crane, who starred with Watson in the “Golf Boys” music video. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth checking out, if not for the fact that Farmers Insurance will donate $1,000 for every 100,000 views of the video. The charitable proceeds will support both Farmers and Ben Crane charitable initiatives

The glory of spring was in full force at Augusta National today. Easter and Masters Sunday. Two for the price of one? Yes, and I’m happy to say for sports or spiritual reasons it did not disappoint. Alleluia!

Photo Credits
Masters 2012
Bubba Wins
UGA Crew