PGA Player Brian Davis and his Caddie

If you have followed the PGA Tour this year, you have obviously heard about player Brian Davis. Davis came in second to Jim FuryK in a tournament due to the fact that he DQ himself after an errant shot out of the rough. What you don't know is the guy who carries his bag is someone you need to hear about . . . caddie Steve Hulka and his wife Mary. Check out the link . . .

Steve and Mary have been dear friends for 19 years. I had the privilege of marrying there 2nd oldest daughter this Summer in Chicago. What a great occasion with a great family. He and Mary are wonderful Christians. I am grateful to be their friend. By the way, Steve and Brian had a great second place finish in Malaysia this past week.

Brian Davis calls penalty, hands title to Jim Furyk

Most who watched the playoff between Jim Furyk and Brian Davis would have to say that it was the most unusual finish for a golf tournament. I had particular interest because I know Brian, but more importantly to me is the fact that his caddie, Steve Hulka, is a very close personal friend of mine. It was good to see them battling it out for a win. What I particularly want to note is that Steve is a strong believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I know he shares with Brian all the time about his faith. I am not aware if Brain has any religious beliefs. He and Steve have done well together these past two years.

What I have noticed is that those whom I network with (Twitter and Facebook) are impressed with Brian's integrity to have done what he did. He could have not said anything and the liklihood of anyone noticing his club hitting the loose impediment would have had to had a microscope. He did what was right. He brought the infraction to the attention of the rules official, Slugger White (some name for a PGA Tour rules official). Had someone called it in after Brian signed his card, he would have been DQ from the entire tournament.

The Bible teaches this: "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." Psalm 51:6.

I don't Know if Brian has ever read that before but his caddie has and I am certainly glad his is on the bag with him.

"13 1/2 Minutes of . . . 'I Had Affairs, I Cheated'

TIGER WOODS:
"Good morning, and thank you for joining me.
Many of you in this room
are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you've worked with me or you've supported me.
Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my
irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in."

And so he opened his statement to the press. The apology (so it seems) lasted 13 1/2 minutes, explaining as little as necessary what had taken place in his private life. As you already know, much was said before and much has been said after his apology. But, was enough said by Tiger himself?

Personally, I think he said just what he was capable of saying as one who isn't necessarily very capable of making a concession speech. You see, he is normally in the winner's circle, answering reporters how he won the Tournament. That was no doubt hard for this man to do.

I have shared with close friends on the Tour some of what I thought of his situation and what I personally feel he needs in his life. He has admitted to the lack of influence Buddhism has had on him in his life time, but intends to return to that faith.

It was interesting to read what the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, say concerning a principle of Buddhism: "Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important."

Interesting thing to say about a man who is in the game of golf is more "self-disciplined" than any man alive.

What I would convey to him if he and I were able to have a conversation is this. "Tiger, according to the Word of God, you are living just the way you are supposed to live outside of knowing the True and Living God. You are following your Father . . .the devil. That's the way he wants you to live . . . " I would further explain to him that in Christ, there is complete forgiveness and atonement for his sins; freedom from the power and penalty of sin; and a peace that transcends all human understanding; Eternal Life. It is only in Christ that one can truly live a life that is pleasing to the Sovereign Creator of all the Universe.

"I once heard, and I believe it's true, it's not
what you achieve in life that matters; it's what you
overcome. Achievements on the golf course are
only part of setting an example. Character and
decency are what really count."

No, Tiger, what really counts in life is this: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." II Corinthians 5:17,

I would also share the same words with the Dalai Lama . . .

Brit Hume, Tiger Woods, and Jesus Christ

Journalist Brit Hume isn’t backing down from his recent comments that Tiger Woods should turn to Christ for redemption and forgiveness.

As he says in the follow-up interview below, “Jesus Christ offers Tiger Woods something he badly needs.”


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Your comments . . .

Welcome to 2010!

It is currently December 30. 2009, two days away from the end of the first decade of the 21 century. It seems like yesterday that we were all scared into "Y2K" or bust or the "sky is falling" hype by the naysayers! Well, we have survived and maybe even advanced . . .a little. Remember September 11, 2001; GWB for 8 years; Iraq and Afghanistan wars; Al Qaeda; Sport champions; tragic suicides by celebrities, a new and African-American POTUS; economic disaster; and then there was Tiger Woods . . .?

As a follower of Jesus Christ; a pastor/husband/father/grandfather it is gratifying and humbling to know that when every thing around you changes that God, who is All-powerful, All-knowing and All-present, never changes (Heb. 13:8). His Word abides forever (Mt. 24:35)

Last year I was a "Shirker and a Slacker" when it came to reading the Bible through. I would read and then skip to something else instead of interest. I recently came across a Bible reading plan that was designed for . . . "Shirker's and Slacker's" that will help some of those who are like me at times and need to "mix it up (my wife has always thought that I might have been ADD growing up)."

Justin Taylor over at THE GOSPEL COALTION has posted an article entitled, "Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers." Read it and download the reading schedule for this New Year.

God has been gracious this past year. He faithfully has seen me through my heart-surgery recovery. He blessed us back on November 6 with a beauty grandson, Joisas Christopher Harvey. We are looking forward to seeing him in the flesh this Saturday, January 2-12. We can hardly wait. A new family is created . . .


Now may God's richest blessings exhaust themselves on you so that it seems like there is none left for anyone else. Thats how much he loves you.

Happy New 2010 . . .

The Boy On The Bag . . . is older today!

My friend, Steve Hulka, is celebrating a birthday today. He is on the road "Somewhere USA" hauling equipment for players on the PGA Tour and caddying. He has been hauling equipment for 8 years and caddying for over 30 years. Hopefully he is celebrating today with his wife Mary, who travels with him.

Steve and I met in 1978, when he and his player (David Graham) were playing a practice round with Jack Nicklaus, at my home course in Monterey, CA. We both shared that we were believers and got acquainted that weekend at the Crosby. We later saw each other at the L.A. Open in 1991, when he was working the Tournament. Since then we have been associated in a ministry on the Tour doing Bible Studies with some of the caddies.

I am proud to say that he and his family are dear friends. I have watched his kids literally grow up. All of them are going or have finished college. They had to go to University of Arizonia in order to get him rooting for the PAC-10. Now, he is hooked.

We share another rivalry. He is a diehard SOX fan and I am a loyal ANGEL fan. We love the bantering.

Steve I love you man and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, old guy . . . .!

In 1923, Who Was:

1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?


These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days..


Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them... .


The Answers:

1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab, died a pauper.

2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson, went insane.

3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.

4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.

5. The president of
the Bank of International Settlement, shot himself.

6. The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide


However,
in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most
important golf tournament, the US Open, was Gene Sarazen. What became of him?


He played golf until he was 92,
died in 1999 at the age of 95.
He was financially secure
at the time of his death.

The Moral: Forget work. Play golf

Let A Little Love In Your Heart . . . .

On February 28, I was taken to the hospital because I was complaining of "indigestion" in my chest (those are chest pains). I was kept over the weekend for observation in the Telemetry Unit of St. Bernadine's Hospital in San Bernardino, CA. On Monday, my cardiologist did a angiogram and discovered that I had at least two arteries blocked. She couldn't see the two others that were supposed to be there. On Tuesday, March 2, I was taken to surgery where my doctor performed a quadruple bypass (see the picture). I woke up in ICU to find that I was on a respiratory until I started breathing on my own. I did that right away (scary). Within two hours I was walking to a chair to sit up. My family was with me from that point on. My son flew in from KY to be there and was my "bodyguard." What a great job he did to let me sleep and rest when some people came.
As I reflect during these past 4 weeks during my recovery, I find myself more grateful to God for life, family, and friends. I have been released by my surgeon and have seen my Cardiologist. Things are looking very good. I went to work this past week for two days only staying for a few hours. I can drive in two weeks and then start cardiac rehab, 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
I must publicly thank my wife Renee for all her care for me during these weeks. I could have not done it without her. She has the best place in my heart for who she is.
I am taking great care to eat and exercise. My goal is to lose 50 lbs and to keep it off.
I thank God for the good gifts He gives His children. My heart surgery was His good gift to me.

Yep, Obama Is a Golfer, Too

Don Van Natta Jr., author of the book, First Off the Tee: Presidential Hackers, Duffers, and Cheaters from Taft to Bush.

1 John F. Kennedy Despite chronic back pain, averaged 80.
2 Dwight D. Eisenhower Had a green outside the Oval Office.
3 Gerald R. Ford Clumsy, but was a legitimate 80s-shooter.
4 Franklin D. Roosevelt At 39, polio robbed him of a powerful golf swing.
5 George H.W. Bush Once got his handicap down to 11.
6 George W. Bush Outgoing prez is a capable 15-handicapper.
7 Bill Clinton Can break 90, especially using his "Billigans."
8 Barack Obama The lefty plays more hoops than golf.
9 Ronald Reagan Didn't play often or well (best was low 90s).
10 Warren G. Harding Struggled to break 95.
11 William Howard Taft As hapless a golfer as he was a chief executive.
12 Woodrow Wilson Played more than Ike but almost never broke 100.
13 Richard M. Nixon He shot 79 once and quit the game.
14 Lyndon B. Johnson Played with senators to secure votes for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
15 Calvin Coolidge When he vacated the White House, he left his clubs behind.

Harvey Family - 2009

We are finally together to celebrate Christmas and two birthdays. Chris and Arelis (left) came in from Louisville, KY, Cam, Amanda, Ayden and Alyssa (right) live in Riverside, CA, and Renee and I live in Highland, CA. We shot this photo downtown Riverside, CA. What a joy it was to have everyone together again.

Join with us as we celebrate 2009 with our lives, ministries, Country and the World. We are excited with all the great possibilities and opportunities that God has for each of our lives. Of course. Renee and I are hoping for more grand babies.

The Tour moves to Palm Desert this week for the traditional Bob Hope Classic. Please pray for a move of God's spirit upon those players and caddies who know him that they would boldly share their faith. For those individuals who have made new commitments to Christ to walk with him anew this year.

If we are in your city when the Tour comes, let us know. Have a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

Jesus Is the Right Club - John 14:6

Now, have you seen anything like this before?

I know, I know, showing off is not becoming! Says who? This is one of the best things in my life right now. And to know that I will have others to love on from my son and daughter-in-law at some point is about to make me just . . . Burst! I am the MAN! Go ahead, dispute it, give me your best shot! The picture speaks for itself anyway. Feast on it!

It is time to renew . . . .

Every year at this time, I email the PGA Tour and ask once again for a credential in order to attend PGA Tour events for the year. I am doing this for 2009. In the last couple of years doing studies with the caddies has been somewhat difficult. There was a year where there was what I will call a spiritual glitch. It was confusing and has cause this ministry (The Right Club Ministries) to loose momentum. We will try again this year to regain some of the lost territory. I appreciate your prayers.
Beginning in January, we will try to conduct studies on what is called "The West Coast Swing." I look forward to the opportunity to be able to share the gospel with the caddies. That is what lead me to this ministry 16 years ago.
If you would like to help with this ministry financially, please email me at caddiechaplain.com.
Thanks and God bless you all . . .Jesus is the Right Club! Jn 14:6

What Goes On In Vegas . . . . . .

I know, what does Las Vegas got to do with golf and ministry . . . plenty. It is a well attended event every year by the Players with their caddies because many of them (The Players) are still trying to keep their playing card (The top 125 keep their card). So we come here with the hopes of reaching out to some. If you know anything about this ministry, it all began here in Las Vegas in October of 1991. These past 17 years has hopefully produced some fruit in the lives of those we affectionately call the PGA Touring Caddy!

Please join us in prayer as we share the gospel with whomever the Spirit of God directs us to. We are their October 15-18.

Meet Your USA Ryder Cup Team!

After months of speculation about who would finish out the Ryder Cup team, USA Captain Paul Azinger made his selections public earlier this week. While the team will be missing the most famous golfer in the world in Tiger Woods, Kentuckians can be happy as two of its own made the final roster, including 2004 Ryder Cup member Kenny Perry and newcomer and University of Kentucky graduate, JB Holmes. The final four selections will join the original 8 members who were awarded spots on the team based on their final PGA points total.

The automatic 8 members are as follows:

Stewart Cink: This 35 year-old Ryder Cup veteran has been on three previous Ryder Cup teams, posting a 3-5-4 record. Cink attended Georgia Tech and turned professional in 1995.

Ben Curtis: Curtis joins the 2008 team as a first-timer in the Ryder Cup. The 31 year-old is a graduate of Kent State and turned professional in 2000.

Jim Furyk:: The 2008 Ryder Cup will be Furyk’s fifth time as a member of the US team. This graduate of Arizona University boasts a career Ryder Cup record of 4-9-2.

Anthony Kim: Another Ryder Cup rookie, Kim is the youngest of the members of the US team at age 23. Kim graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

Justin Leonard: Leonard returns to the US Ryder Cup team since his last appearance in 1999. Leonard graduated from Texas and has played in 8 Ryder Cup matches, posting a 0-3-5 career record.

Phil Mickelson: With the most impressive Ryder Cup resume on the 2008 team, Mickelson has a career record of 9-8-3 during the Cup. He ranks as the most experienced Ryder Cup member, having played for the US team 5 prior times.

Kenny Perry: Kentuckian Kenny Perry returns to the Ryder Cup for a second time, coming in 3rd place in PGA points. With an 0-2-0 record, this Western Kentucky graduate comes in as a local favorite.

Boo Weekley: The last of the automatic qualifiers, Weekley comes into this year’s Ryder Cup as a rookie, and attended perhaps the least known of the players’ colleges: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The last four chosen:

Chad Campbell: One of the last four of the Captain’s picks, Campbell brings prior Ryder Cup experience to this year’s team. A UNLV graduate, Campbell turned professional in 1996.

J.B. Holmes: The second Kentuckian to make this year’s team, this Campbellsville, KY native is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. It will be his first time on a Ryder Cup team.

Hunter Mahan: Mahan also joins this year’s team as a rookie. Hunter Is 26 years old and attended Oklahoma State University, turning pro in 2003.

Steve Stricker: The oldest member of the US Ryder Cup team at 41, Strickler will be another of the six total US members who have never been on a Ryder Cup team.

Azinger brings a relatively inexperienced group of players to Valhalla for this world-class golfing contest. However with names like Mickelson, Furyk and Cink on your team, coupled with two home state competitors, all bets are off as the host nation hopes to bring the trophy home.

'I'M ALL RIGHT, DON'T NOBODY WORRY 'BOUT ME'

Call it the Caddyshack moment of The Barclays. As in gophers digging under the course. After Sergio Garcia hit his second shot behind a tree on the second playoff hole -- the par-5 17th -- he sought and received relief for what Garcia called "gopher holes." Or more to the point, gopher tunnels.
"It was not where my ball was, but like about five or six feet left, (the ground) was actually moving," Garcia said. "You could see the grass going up and down."
Because the unstable ground threatened to impact Garcia's shot, he was allowed to drop one club length away, per rule 25-1 for abnormal ground condition that interferes with a player's stance or the area of his intended swing.
Meanwhile, Vijay Singh had to wait after hitting a superb second shot that left him 20 feet for an eagle putt (and eventual two-putt for the birdie and the win).
"I wasn't really concerned about him," Singh said. "I just wanted to know why he got a drop. There was obviously a mole there, and he was burrowing at the moment -- you could see him popping out."
The only thing missing in this scene, evidently, was Carl Spackler.

Just a couple of cuties!

What can I say? I think these pictures speak for themselves. I love my GRANDBABIES!

The Canadian Open

My friend Steve Hulka, aka, The Hulk, has been caddying for an Englishman named, Brian Davis. Hulk, up till last week, was sharing the bag with another caddie, splitting the earnings with each other. Not a bad deal! From this week till the end of the season Steve will be on the bag full time. He has done well with Brian. This week at the Canadian Open, they are tied for 10th place going into Sunday's final round.

Catch the final round on CBS! GO HULKA!

Who Would of Thought?

I think this is just INCREDIBLE! A 53 year old sort of washed up player is in 2nd place at The Open Championship. Who would of thought that this would be the headline.

Keep your eye on Phil. He made a tremendous comeback today. The weekend looks to be pretty exciting!

The Open Championship This Week!

With Tiger out this year every pundit is picking Sergio to Win (he was in a play-off with Harrington last year at Carnoustie, and lost). My bet is on Phil. I think he is primed to win another Major, why not the The Open? I know, he missed the cut last year. Yea, and Trevor IMMELMAN, finished tied for 60th and won the Master's this year

Remember Caddy Shack?

Wow! I can't remember the last time I watched this classic. Check it out tonight all you crazy golf nuts. This one is a keeper!!!!