A Mile High, But Miles From Home . . . .

Traveled this past weekend to Denver to visit my sister and brother-in-law and to go to the Bronco and Colts game on Sunday. What a game and what a stadium. INVESCO Field was the loudest place on earth yesterday. I have never heard so much noise in all my life. The place was electrifying, to say the least.

As you can imagine, when the game is all tied (31-31) and the opposing team kicks a field goal with 6 seconds left in the game . . . and makes it, well . . . "I hate it when that happens!"

Probably the highlight of the weekend was spending time with my 3 nieces and going to church on Saturday night with some of the family.

It was as I said, "a mile high, but miles from home" . . . leaving for home this morning to see my sweet wife and my PRECIOUS grandbaby! I'll blog a post on him next.. .

My "1st Born" and His Bride!

Renee and I have been blessed with two wonderful Adult Children and their spouses. This post is about our "first born" and his sweet wife. Christopher was born October 21, 1977, 12lbs, 6oz, 24" long! Yes, he still is a big kid (man)! His sweetheart wife Arelis, is just 5'2" and as cute as one can get. They live in Louisville, Kentucky. Chris attends The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, working on a Master of Divinity in Apologetics. Arelis teaches Spanish, but is switching to work for a Medical company in just a couple of weeks. They were married April 1, 2006, and my self and Arelis' father had the privilege to perform the ceremony.
Chris, while attending classes, also works for UPS. It has been a wonderful job for him thus far. The two plan to be involved in some type of mission work when Chris finishes Seminary. Chris is a pretty good golfer but does not have time to work on his game. He hits the ball a ton! Oh, to be young and a flat belly once again!
By the way, it was his 29th birthday yesterday! Happy birthday, bubba!

A decision that will not come easy!

On a personal and sensitive note . . . I have been away from the Tour for a year now. The reason is very complicated and would by no means be very easy to explain in that it would be simple gossip and potential slander of certain individuals who I have known for a long time. I will say that the Lord has taught me that life is "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord!" I have resigned to the fact that it was God who gave me the ministry and it was God who could take it away at any moment. I thought He had until last weekend when I was with my long time friend, Steve Hulka (Steve of H.O.P.E.)

I am now praying as to what I should do before the next Tour season begins. I have been fortunate for the past 14 years to have been given a credential by the PGA Tour to attend all Tournaments absolutely free. The only thing I have ever needed to do was to get to the Tournaments and conduct a Bible Study and hang-out with Caddies, which I have thoroughly enjoyed all these years. God has been faithful to provide the way.
I must now regain the confidence of those I have served in the past and to gain a sense that they are in favor of this happening. I will begin this process of reconciliation and then let you know what I think God is saying. Please pray for the wonderful men and women who are caddies on the PGA Tour and who need a fresh touch of encouragement in the Lord.

Why Caddies Shouldn't Tell How Much They Make!

If you take a look at this picture of 4 PGA Tour Caddies, one of them is not working for a certain player anymore because he revealed too much information about what he makes.

There are 3 rules to caddying: "Show up" (be on time) "Keep Up" and "Shut up" (keep your finances to yourself)

"It's Hard For a Caddie To Make a Living Out There!"

I am often ask what Caddies make out on the tour. My answer has always been "not enough!" When you consider that everything he or she gets goes for not only living expenses while working, but living expenses at home on top of that. A lot of people are thinking of Tiger's caddie. He must make alot of money. Yes, he does. And those who's player are on the top 30 money list do as well. That's the exception, not the rule. Another thing to consider is that each caddie has to handle his or her taxes, insurance, travel expenses, retirement, social security, etc. If you are self-employed you understand what I am talking about.

Some caddies look for other ways to make extra money: sponsorhships from other companies, i.e, sunglasses, hats, clothing, etc. When they are not working on their own player's bag for that week, they are looking for other bags that might be open. For a caddie, it's a year-round job if they have anything to say about it.

The longevity for a caddie on a bag is sometimes short-lived. It all depends on one's abiltiy and likabilty from the player. I have seen guys work from one week to maybe several years. There is one caddie who has been with the player for 23 years! It is currently the longest standing relationship.

Like I said, "It's hard for a Caddie to make a living out there!"

Vegas, Frys', and Golf

Traveled to Vegas to watch the Frys' Open Invitational this past weekend. I was reconnected to the Tour once again. I have been away for a while due to circumstances beyond my control. But am back ready to try to further the Kingdom for Christ on the Tour, in my City, State, and around the World.

My long time friend, Steve Hulka, was caddying for PGA Professional, Joey Sindelar, who has won 7 times on Tour, tied for ninth. It was good to watch the two of them work hand in glove. Two seasoned veterens working well together. On Sunday morning before the final round, Steve woke up with food poisoning. He struggled to finish up on a final hole from a "call of darkness" the day before. He went back to his place to rest and came back out still sick and weak, but managed to finish caddying. He and Joey finished a great round of 5 under par for the day, and twelve under for the Tournament. Are these guys good or what? "I can do all things through Christ who strengths me." Phil. 4:13)

Steve, by the way, has a business that benefits the players. It is called Hulka's Overland Players Express (H.O.P.E.). He takes their golf bags and luggage from event to event. Needless to say, he is on the road alot.

Please pray for Steve each week as he travels for the Lord out on the Tour!