Building Values, Changing Lives – With Golf

Family Circles

Family Circles – a broader group of friends and relatives – is referred to as the “Village”. A common – and on-point – old saying it takes a village to raise a great kid.

No truer words explain the lasting impact of the Village in building YOUR foundation – your inner strength, your character, your values, and your confidence.  The “Inner You”. Who YOU are – inside – as a kid and as an adult during life’s path. Core values like honesty, integrity, respect, courtesy, and sportsmanship.

Family “Villages” directly and lastingly impact the lives of EVERY person. The teachings of parents, close friends, trusted long-term lasting relationships, and the influencers in your life are CRITICAL in shaping the “inner you”.

Some family circle credits for use in strengthening the “Inner You”:

Tom Lehman

Tom credits his Dad, Mom, and close family members with instilling deep values early in life and supporting him with a positive belief in him. This was especially important while going through early career struggles to breakthrough playing golf at the highest level …. Tom’s burning dream as a young kid. Tom did it because he “believed”.

Arnold Palmer

Arnold talked about how his Dad (who taught him to play golf) drilled core values into him as a young kid, watched his behavior like a hawk to ensure Arnie was doing the right things. Arnie said his Dad showed him the proper golf grip for a club, made Arnie use only the Dad taught grip, and told him repeatedly never to change it.

His Dad, Mom, and extended circle (Village) of friends taught Arnie about the lasting value of trusted, long-term relationships – one of the keys to his global successes.

Jordan Spieth

Jordan tells often about his Dad and Mom being fully dedicated and teaching him throughout early life strong values and character traits – how to build trusted relationships, and respect for others. Jordan’s inner strength shines brightly every day thanks to his Mom and Dad says Jordan.

John Lyberger

A young man born into a poor, simple rural family in “nowhere” Pennsylvania (as John called it) with little future. John reports he had lots of family love, was taught a strong work ethic with an uncompromising values system taught by his dedicated parents. John was told – time & time again – to “become someone” when you grow up.  Strong values and steel strength character were the core of his early lessons.

John worked hard and consistently displayed the core values as his parent’s taught. Results: John’s career included working at top athletic leadership roles in renowned Congressional Country Club (20 years), the prestigious Ocean Reef Club (3 years), and the exclusive Desert Mountain Club (presently).

John says his Mom & Dad set his strong values system, taught him skills at building trusted, long-lasting relationships, and respect for others – allowing John to achieve an amazing career.  The power of intangibles – values, character, and trusted relationships.

Brian Davis

Turned professional in 1994 playing on the European and PGA Tour with 2 wins in his career. A historic display of honesty, integrity & sportsmanship happened in April 2010 at the first playoff hole (with Jim Furyk) in the Verizon Heritage.  Brian called a two-stroke penalty on himself while in the left green-side bunker reporting the ball moved while removing some debris from near the ball. Thus, a two-shot penalty.

Importantly, NO ONE could have seen the ball move given his location next to the Calibogue Sound water with no TV coverage angles, no fans nearby, no officials watching – only the fish in the water behind him – could have possibly seen the ball move. Potentially, a clear opportunity to cheat.

Brian – who could have possibly won his first PGA event – called the penalty on himself, and handed the victory to Jim Furyk who made par. A historic display of values and character. Brian said later about his decision to call the penalty on himself that he could never be able to live with himself if he cheated. Brian said his Mom and Dad and his Village taught him well.  Brian has earned more than $10 million on the PGA Tour while never winning.  Success economically, and priceless lasting, always remembered display of big, strong values and “who Brian is” inside. Brian said he is thankful every day to his parents for his upbringing of strong personal values and character.

Ted Schulz

Always dreamed of being a PGA Tour player. Ted said “he would do anything” to be able to play golf, practice, and get better and better. AND, his parents always told him it will take dedicated long-hours, working harder, harder & harder – on his game.  Ted said he was relentless in his desire, work ethic, and belief in himself.

Ted said he worked at a driving range, lived out of his car, ate at McDonald’s, drove his car to mini-tournaments, and completed at Monday morning qualifyings – just trying to breakthrough. In 1984 Ted earned his full-time PGA Tour playing privileges.

Ted said “Never Give Up” was his personal inner strength. Follow your dreams always!

Dylan Frittelli

Dylan – from South Africa – won the 2007 Callaway Junior Golf Championship (15-17 olds) and the 2012 NCAA Collegiate Champion (U. of Texas) turning Pro in 2012. Played on tours around the world with 5 wins, earned his PGA Tour playing privileges in 2018 playing in 29 events across 4 continents.

Dylan credits his Dad and Mom – who were always behind the scenes dragging him around to practice, matches and Championship competitions – as being his constant mental supporters. Dylan credits Mom & Dad as the dedicated teachers of his deep value system including respect for others, integrity and sportsmanship. Dylan said they were the strongest part of his village, and yet, his success has taken a bigger village including lots of trusted longer-term relationships around the globe. His Dad confirmed the family’s support, commitment, dedication, and huge sacrifices made. Values and the Village.

Bill Sharpe

Born in West Virginia close to Sam Snead. Worked on family farm, caddied to earn a nickel, and saw the potential in skills acquired from golf and set his sights on learning how to play golf like Sam Snead. As a dirt poor boy living in the WV mountains – a lofty dream. Bill said he had to get out of WV – the dark WV hollows were like living in winter all year long. Joined the Army after high school and away Bill went into uncharted new life. Followed his dreams including becoming skilled in golf, especially short game, loved coaching basketball, was a highly successful entrepreneur and service business CEO, played lots of regional golf competitions, demonstrated deep values tall & wide as the WV mountains. An honored man – building values and changing lives with golf.

Bill had a basketball court at his home, and taught a neighborhood kid to play basketball. Kid became very good, made the high school basketball team as a starter as a sophomore, and team co-captain as a junior.

Bill asked one spring day if kid would like to caddy for him. Bill taught and kid learned fast. Caddying was needed income for this young man – living in a very modest means family. The kid learned golf from Bill, was given some hand-me-down clubs, found balls while caddying, and started practicing on Bill’s property. Bill would assist, teach and started asking the young man to join him (Bill paid for everything) playing on courses – rather than caddying.  The young man became very good, played on the high school golf team, and in the NC high school state championships – finishing 26th, 20th and 12th (as a senior).

Bill knew the young man did not have the economic means to go to college, but had a high score on the college entrance exam. Bill told the young man “go call the golf coach at UNC, ask him if he would allow you to qualify for the team as a walk-on”. Bill said “you have all to gain, and NOTHING TO LOSE”. Kid called and asked for a personal 10-minute meeting with the coach the next day. It happened.

The young man boldly asked the coach, was told there were 84 guys already qualifying for 2-one half scholarships, with a response of “85 will be the best decision you will ever made. I will help All of us be winners. I am a leader, a winner, a dedicated worker, and you need to allow me to prove this to you”.

Kid qualified, finished 1st of 85 players and won a half scholarship as a freshman (and re-qualifying each year thereafter). As a freshman played in four matches with a 2-2 record. Coach said, “You would play much better with newer clubs.”

Knowing if he did not re-qualify in sophomore year – no scholarship. Kid asked Bill “how much do new clubs cost.”  Bill asked “how much do you have now”? Answer: Maybe $165.00. Bill said: “Perfect. Let me see what I can do”.

Next day Bill invited the kid to join him at the prestigious Sedgefield Country Club to meet with the reknown Pro Red Jessup for a practice session. Hidden agenda was clubs fitting. Three days later a new full set of Wilson Staff clubs arrived perfectly fit for the kid. In re-qualifying immediately after getting the new clubs, the kid’s score was 4-5 shots lower than before. Magic. Bill knew and took action to ensure a solid future path. Kid earned 4 year college business degree with golf and Bill Sharpe as the catalyst.

Changed the kid’s life forever – with golf. Power of The Village.

Seve Ballesteros

Seve born into a dirt poor Spain farmer environment. Seve worked hard on the farm and caddied at a nearby golf club to make a nickel. Learned from watching, studied everyone and everything about the game – and intensely the people who played – to understand the details about golf, people and life.

Seve would leave the farm, go to the course, practice and not do his farm work. Family pretty angry with Seve routinely. Self-taught with relics as golf clubs became very good. A club member picked Seve as his partner in a high-stakes bet match with another member. Seve was told he needed to raise some money in order to play in the match. He talked with his Dad who sold their “best calf” to raise the money to support Seve in the match. Winner take all – high stakes. Mom & Dad bet the farm on Seve!!!

Seve won the match on 11th hole, won a pile of money, and set Seve into a path of playing golf for a living…..and achieving greatness in life with golf. Seve was recognized as very long with tee shots – BUT, wild in direction – often – requiring magic in short game to score. Seve became a legend in short game effectiveness through hard work.

Seve was asked a question near the Masters practice range: “What would you tell aspiring young golfers who want to play as good as you?”

Answer: “Learn to control emotions and practice the short game until you KNOW and believe deep inside you can do anything from anywhere to gain shots”.

See the Golf Channel’s documentary on Seve for a great detailed story of Seve’s life.