12/12/2023
It’s been 11 years since you passed away and I still think of you everyday. At 18 years old I came in to your golf shop in Bluefield while I was in a very dark place. Watching you be a true old school do it all “pro” that made everyone’s day better and the sense of purpose you had was inspiring to me. Watching you give lessons on the old green mat and net in the back of the shop and seeing your interactions with your students planted a dream in my head that I was afraid to tell anyone about it seemed so ridiculous. Seeing the swing sequences cut out of old Golf Digest magazines on the wall of Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus with their coaches, I knew in my heart that I had to find a way to do that for a living. I remember the first time I told you I wanted to come to FL and be the best teacher in the world, and you didn’t hesitate in telling me I could do it. When other people made fun of me or laughed behind my back you always were so supportive to a kid that really needed something, anything positive to hold on to and I’ll never forget it. At 35 years old now, I still feel like that kid sometimes and I still find comfort in all the advice you gave me and the time you spent with me. I’ll be teaching on Tour soon one way or another and I know you’ll be standing there with me. Keep watching over me my man. Love you Barry.