One of the assistants at my club... he's early-30's. Former marine, served in Iraq. Had spent the past 6-7 years working in an office for Nestle, good paying job. Something struck him a few years back that he wasn't happy, he wanted to find a job that was less stressful, something that would make him happy, salary be damned. He switched careers and decided to get into golf.
He's leaving in a month for Florida, he's been offered a position at Bay Hill. He inquired three years ago, kept bugging the piss out of them until they finally gave him an interview. Arnie liked him. If Arnie thinks you've got something to offer - you're in. So the past couple of winters, from about November until April, he's spent his winter months down there working at Bay Hill, trying to get his foot in the door. He's a helluva golfer too... big guy, Dustin Johnson build except more muscular, tall... and he can pound it. And he's a great guy. So finally, this past summer, they told him they'd bring him on full-time.
During the course of countless conversations I've had with him while we played together these past couple of years, he always talked about how special it was getting to see and speak with Arnie just about every day while he was down there over the winter. He's got some funny stories, some that aren't suitable to repeat. LOL... let's just say that Arnie never lost his appetite for beautiful women, despite getting old and occasionally stubborn. 😉
When he came back to our club in May earlier this year, he gave me a gift. It was a Bay Hill flag, signed by none other than Arnie. It was in a plastic case and you could tell that it wasn't one of those superficial autograph deals. Needless to say it is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
Playing with the guy tomorrow... he was very close to Arnie. He'll be leaving for Bay Hill in about a month, relocating for good. It'll probably be my last round with him for a while.
Until I fly down to Orlando next spring, and play Bay Hill with him. 🙂