Links Daily Devotional writer Rosson Anderson recently interviewed good friend and former Auburn University teammate Blayne Barber. Barber, who was featured in the 2013 Links Players magazine, is a 2014 member of the Web.com Tour, where he is currently ranked seventh on the money list. Because of this position, Barber will begin play on the PGA Tour for the 2014-2015 season in October. Barber and his wife Morgan were married in December 2012 and reside in Auburn, Alabama. Because of its rich theological content, we offer this interview in two parts as our devotion for today and tomorrow.
Blayne, give us a brief overview of your testimony of yourself and how the Lord came about saving you.
I grew up in Lake City, Florida, in a Christian home. I was in church every time the doors were open. I was baptized when I was 12, but I don’t think there was regeneration at that point. I did it because it was what I was “supposed” to do. I don’t know exactly when God mercifully saved my soul, but he did a work in me in high school and was patient until college when I started walking with him. My sanctification process has been characterized by continually and often looking away from myself and to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith. I know one thing—having a good community of believers around me (which was established in college) was and is essential to me and my walk with Christ.
When did this dream of playing professional golf become a reality?
I told my mom when I was seven that I wanted to be a professional golfer one day. Obviously you say a lot of funny things when you’re seven, but clearly the Lord placed that passion in my heart early. I think you always want to believe you will be successful right out of the gate, but what I have experienced thus far in my professional career has been such a gift of God. As I write this, it’s actually great for me to reflect, because it’s so easy to become discontent with this game and not be grateful for all the good days. I’m thankful God has allowed me to have many good days!
How has the transition from college to professional golf gone and what are some things you have learned in this process?
There is one thing I like to stress to anyone moving up in the game. Junior to college, college to mini-tours, mini-tours to Web.com, Web.com to PGA, etc. The golf ball is no respecter of persons. It’s the same at every level. Expectations can easily be placed on us from multiple outlets, but you don’t have to listen to them. If you’ve been successful in college, there is no reason you can’t take that same game and compete at the professional level. The courses and competition certainly get more difficult, but you will adapt and get better if you are diligent to continue to get better.
What are you looking forward to the most about competing on a consistent basis on the PGA Tour here in several months?
There is so much. It’s a dream come true. I don’t know if I can put this into words in a short space, but there is always this expectation of what we will feel like when we achieve something we set out to. If I could only finish college. If I could only get that new vehicle. If I could only get to the Web.com Tour. If I could only marry that person or this person. There are so many examples. Truth is, it’s all less fulfilling than we would like it to be. It’s great for a short season, then we need something else. I know when I finally get to the PGA Tour, I will suddenly start feeling the pressure to keep my card or win or whatever it will be. It won’t be as glamorous as I envision, and won’t ultimately satisfy. Thankfully, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave me or forsake me and will be faithful to the Barbers no matter what tour we are playing on.
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Rosson Anderson
September 3, 2014
Copyright 2014 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.