With 81 junior golfers from 19 countries, the WJGS American Junior is truly an international event deseerving of being home at the World Golf Hall of Fame (Photo courtesy of WJGS)

When an event takes place in Shell Hall, the heart of the World Golf Hall of Fame (WGHOF), it is quite special. In that very same entrance way to greatness, the Night of Legends dinner honors the WGHOF Inductees Sunday night before the Induction Ceremony on Monday during THE PLAYERS week. An ambiance emerges, same as bagpipers emerging from the fog, amidst the 141 bronze plaques with head- shots of the game’s influential people and the large display cabinets of the current year inductees.

WJGS founders America’s Tom Burnett and Germany’s Dr. Susanna Rosswag.

The mother, Dr. Susanna Rosswag, was more the coach as she read a quote off the wall in the hall from Bobby Jones; “Golf is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity. It is, nevertheless, a game of great passion…” She encouraged the world citizens from 19 different countries to pursue their passion whether it is as golfers forever or as much needed natural leaders off the course in government, private enterprise or wherever their heart, soul and minds lead them.

Seattle’s Marianne Li and her mother Eru are all smiles after a wonderful experience at the Hall of Fame.

One of the best stories of the week was low American girl Marianne Li of Seattle. One of two First Tee Invitees (the other being Keleb Lester of Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Li travelled southeast with her mother Eru and is no stranger to competitive junior golf. She played in the Nature Valley First Tee Open, a Champions Tour event, at Pebble Beach in September with Canadian pro Jim Rutledge. While seemingly quiet and shy on Opening Night, she let her clubs do the talking opening with a 73, leading after Round 1 and finished T3. While the First Tee is committed to reaching 10 million young people by 2017, I wonder how many of us older people will be touched in the next five years by one of the First Tee participants and leaders like Marianne.

The Florida sun shines on the 19 flags represented in the WJGS event at the Slammer & Squire course in St. Augustine, FL.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2012 WJGS American Junior occurred in front of the display cabinets of this year’s WGHOF Inductees Peter Alliss, Dan Jenkins, Sandy Lyle, Phil Mickelson and Hollis Stacy. In May, the memorabilia of 2013 Inductees Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Willie Park Jr., Ken Schofield and Ken Venturi will be revealed. One wonders if Marina Stuetz or one of the 81 international players sitting in Shell Hall will not only play in the 2016 or 2020 Olympics but someday will be displayed in bronze as well.

With Erin and Jack Daniels!

Arriving early on a calm morning at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass I noticed the flags were limp, hanging straight down on the poles. I thought of our brave fallen heroes of the military, perhaps this was a sign to bow my head and say a prayer to recognize their sacrifice. The dawn was peaceful; the fountain quiet, it seemed as though the water was moving yet no ripples. The camouflaged military vehicle with three rockets perched atop blended into the stone façade of the Clubhouse. As I looked to more limp flags bear the practice range there sat a powerful Blackhawk helicopter with blades motionless. The stage was silent yet posed to come to life.

Blackhawk Day at TPC Sawgrass!!!

Silence returned as the colors of our country were presented followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. Speeches were made and words uttered with the message that hit home the most was given by Phil as he turned, looked at the American flag and noted it meant two things to him- freedom and the cost of that freedom. This was a day to love, to respect and to honor our military and their families, especially the unborn babies in the wombs of the 30 mothers-to-be. These families need support and that takes money. That is where this event and the PGA TOUR make their impact; their job is to raise money for charity.

President Clinton with Jack Nicklaus!

A General by the name of Brown got up and misspoke referencing ‘TPC’ as ‘TPG,’ then told a story that hits home. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full college scholarship grants to surviving children of Special Ops personnel lost in combat missions. They will come find you when you are a junior in high school and walk you through the college selection process. If your college grades are not up to par then you will get a visit from the Delta Force and receive all the help you need to graduate. Maybe the General had it right- TPG- Tournament Players Generosity or Gratitude? This was one of nine charities to benefit from this fundraising event at TPG Sawgrass.

Beautiful Bea, the knitter (in blue) with daughter Cathy on right.

I haven’t been to a baby shower in quite some time but I can tell you this… as good as the military salute was to our soldiers, this was a bigger hug to mothers and their “baby bumps.” LeAnn Morrissey, founder of Operation Shower in 2007 spoke of the challenge of military spouses to “make family” wherever they move and “doing it all” in the absence of a spouse who is overseas defending our country. Amy Mickelson and Cathy Justice spoke of the joys and responsibility of motherhood. Mothers hold children’s hands for a while and hold their hearts forever. Then lunch was over and there were presents galore and a party broke out!

Military Rockets to welcome you at the TPC Clubhouse!

While there is a special sense of joy, suspense and excitement on Sunday, typically Mother’s Day at THE PLAYERS, this morning’s events took the TPC Sawgrass Splash, whatever that is, to a new level. This was truly a special day for mothers at TPC Sawgrass and it was an honor and lots of fun to be a part of. With my writing work done, I will now head back over to TPC Nineteen for Happy Hour. If I can’t find a Splash, I think I might just have to try Fuzzy’s Vodka to celebrate!    

With Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown.

The Mayor of Jacksonville, The Honorable Alvin Brown, the Commissioner of the PGA TOUR Tim Finchem and Tabitha Furyk representing The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation were there and spoke of how The First Tee impacts youth through values and an introduction to the game of golf. They easily could have been the story but were not.

Aleya of the First Tee greeting and checking in guests for the evening.

The opening- being greeted by a young woman named Aleya. A participant of The First Tee of Jacksonville she embodies the nine core values and I would bet she is near the Ace level in terms of life skills experience in The First Tee program. That’s the most advanced level where the young person is planning volunteerism, education, golf and career. Aleya plays on her high school golf team. She beams bright, beautiful and balanced in life and was the perfect opening to the evening.  

With Joseph Hines recording his story and stories!

The end of the story was a story told by Commissioner Finchem, the honoree of the evening. He spoke without notes and from the heart of those early days of The First Tee program. In the course of kicking it off with President Bush they asked Calvin Peete for his thoughts. His reply was simply that if there had been a First Tee program for him the world might not ever have known who Arnold Palmer was.