There was a piece in our local kitty litter liner yesterday on a young guy, Thomas Ponder, who was named Dothan Golfer of the Year. He and my son are the same age and both just finished 9th grade. He started getting into golf heavily at about 8 or 9 years old and has now been the 10 and under Future Masters Champion and the top golfer for Providence Christian on two State Championship teams. His scoring average is just over 73.
His dad is a great guy, but that's a contradiction because he's a raging Bammer so unfortunately, Ponder will most likely be golfing for the bad guys. When you've got a kid that's basically shooting par golf and winning championships in the 8th and 9th grades, there's a good chance he can make a living at it. I know there are thousands of young golfing phenoms world wide, and I'm not saying this kid has what it takes to make the big show. No idea what the future holds. But, at the very least, he'll get his college paid for, and....
Jordan Spieth is only 22. He's made $23 million in winnings through last season, plus an additional $10 mil from Fed Ex Cup monies. Already at just over $4 mil this year. Oh, and since 2012, he's earned $114 mil in endorsements. You spend your working life traveling around the world to some of the coolest and most exotic places. You hang out at country clubs and play golf on the most beautiful, finely manicured courses. You have someone carry your clubs for you and tell you the yardage of every shot and the lay of the land. And people pay big money to come watch you do this.
And you don't have to worry about concussions.
I tried several times to get my kid into it. No interest. Zip, zilch.