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Smile Therapy: Phenomenal story of Determination and Never Giving Up
Do you believe in miracles. How about Dreams.. do they really come true?
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College comes to a close. Time to try the big leagues. The year is 1984, and little known Jim Roy from Syracuse, NY lands his Tour card and gets to play alongside the Tom Watson’s, Greg Norman’s, Seve Ballesteros’ and all the other big names of the game. Roy meets with some success, but not enough to keep his tour card which is awarded to the top 125 money earners and a few with exemptions. Back to the qualifying school where thousands start off to try for 25 golden tickets to play the tour. This year of 1985 isn’t so successful. Oh well let’s try again in 1986. No luck. 1987, missed again. 1988,89,90,91,92…eight years in a row with close cigars but no luck. As one may expect family, kids jobs and income begin to factor in more importantly, as the golf dream starts slipping away. Would 1993 be the charm? Nope. Discussions with the wife and family result in a decision to try one more time in 1994, and either make it or pack it in mentality. Would you believe Roy missed getting his card by 1-2 shots. For a man who had lived his entire life with golf as his favorite thing in the whole world to do…devastating doesn’t begin to explain his feelings. For a man who knows he can make it out there, yet for whatever reason hasn’t been able to earn back his privileges to play, for 10 years in a row….to say the least, is a COLOSSAL letdown. The thought of a secondary career brings the excitement of watching a coat of paint dry.
Facts are facts. 35 years old. Time to get a ‘real job’, and give up the dream. |
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But wait. The last chapter of this book has yet to be written. Fast forward to 2009 November. Roy, fifteen years later is now 49, has the physique of a 29 year old, golf game still as sharp as a Ginsu knife, and the passion.. burning as bright as ever. Roy gets the crazy idea of going out for the 50 and over senior tour( now called Champions tour). Sounds like a possibility, until you recognize that many of the tour players that are 49 are going this route, and should be shoe-ins. Other club pros too. Even players from all over the world are coming, knowing what a brown sugar sweet opportunity this is for the mid lifers. The facts are there are 5 spots available and maybe 10-15 cards for tournaments that need ‘fillers’. Roy determined to survive and make a living, only a top 5 card will be acceptable. At the starting gate, 2 separate qualifiers and unknown how many hundreds/ thousands are vying for the 5 Weekly Tee times with golf’s finest 50 and olders . He survives the first cut. He does very well in the second cut. Now it’s 85 players for 5 spots, but the remaining 85 are the best of the best.
So, do miracles happen every day? Do you believe in dreams coming true? If you don t just ask Jim Roy. He will be performing on the Champions Senior Tour beginning in February of 2010. Roy will be the first to tell you don’t ever doubt your dreams. As Journey once sung ‘Don t Stop Believing.’ And if you think passion isn’t important, let’s just say in those 15 years leading up to the senior tour qualifier… Roy was supposedly spotted on his half hour lunch breaks, hitting balls at the local range, IN HIS SHIRT AND TIE. That’s Passion! |
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As a final note there is an extra element of pride for Mr Smile-Therapy in this story. You see, Jim Roy is married to my sister Cheryl, who never gave up, never stopped believing in her husband all those years. I’m still not which of the two I was more happy for. Well this Smile-Therapist not only wishes him the best, but BELIEVES there are many more chapters to be written in the story book of My Roy goes to the Golf Tour. Coming to a Senior PGA tournament near you( for a list of where they play, click here http://www.pgatour.com/s/schedule/ ). More stories by Tim Smith
T.A Smith Creator, Smile-Therapy.com Stop by for YOUR Daily SMILE http://www.Smile-Therapy.com |
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Once upon a time there was a man who had a deep, desirous passion for the game of golf. As a kid he would chip and putt for hours. 150 shots out of a sand bunker was like a real day at the beach. As life went on this young man went through middle school, then did well in high school, and started making an impact on the “grown up” golf tournaments in Central NY. Soon he was winning all the local tournaments. Next up was a trip to South Florida on a golf scholarship where he did well. Well enough to start wondering... hmm, maybe I can make it out there in the bright lights of the PGA tour.
