We know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9, ESV)
There was a time in the not-so-distant past that men like Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, and Byron Nelson wore “two hats.” Part of their year was spent competing on the PGA Tour and part as a Club Pro. Even if they were largely Directors of Golf in name only, they still had some duties to perform at the local club.
Times have changed! The money back then wasn’t that great, especially if we compare the purses from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s to the 2020s. The idea that a PGA Tour player would need a “side hustle” to meet ends in our era doesn’t ring true.
PGA of America and PGA Tour professionals live very different lives these days. While there are countless other ways to distinguish between these career paths, tour pros are usually better players than club pros. No surprise there.
One thing that easily distinguishes a PGA of America club pro from a PGA Tour player is how much time he can give to practice or competition. Club professionals are far too busy serving their members to have the time to be competitive at a tour level.
A club pro spends his time on personnel issues, budget meetings, member lessons, buying and selling merchandise, running tournaments, fitting equipment sessions, listening to complaints, and much more. In short, they are busy serving the membership.
Of course, men on the PGA Tour certainly have their share of distracting circumstances. The demands of travel, corporate events, sponsors, charities, and fans pull these great players away from the range and putting green too. Yet, all else being equal, a tour player, compared to a club pro, will usually have a significant advantage.
When Bill Rogers left the PGA Tour to become the Director of Golf at San Antonio CC, he faced a new set of challenges from the ones he met playing golf for a living. Among the many differences, he knew he would no longer be the one being served; now, his life would revolve around serving others—his members.
It is not a stretch to suggest that this was an enormous paradigm shift in Bill’s life. Just a few years earlier, Bill Rogers was at the top of his game and being catered to in ways many of us cannot imagine.
Along with the other tour players at the top of their game, Bill was accustomed to being served. Not that his life was all “sunshine and rainbows,” but his life as a tour player significantly differed from the one he was about to enter.
And while this comparison doesn’t perfectly map our lives before and after meeting Jesus Christ, it does get at something similar. Upon meeting Jesus, our risen Lord demands a huge paradigm shift in how we think and live.
Before meeting Jesus, we expect the world to revolve around our needs. After Jesus changes our hearts and we’ve spent enough time renewing our minds by abiding in his word—the Bible—we learn that he has called us to “please him” and “serve others.”
Ten years as a Director of Golf taught this world-class player that listening to and learning from his members was hugely important, walking humbly with God is a learned habit, and serving others out of love for Christ is a wonderful life.
Prayer: Jesus! Teach us to live our lives to please you and serve others.