Maddie McCrary's love for golf came naturally. Photo courtesy of Maddie McCrary There’s real star power playing in The Volunteers of America® Texas Shootout LPGA Tour this year. But, that fact doesn’t intimidate Maddie McCrary one bit. This 5’6 powerhouse, a junior at Oklahoma State University, is barely 21 years old, but already exhibits the maturity it takes [...]
Joey and Anya Anders. Photo courtesy of Joey Anders By Patti Putnicki Editor's note: Because Purpose2Play has been telling the stories of athletes, coaches, and fans for more than three years, we figure it's about time to catch up with some of them to find out where they are now. As you'll see, they're still inspiring others [...]
Photo courtesy of the PGA By Patti Putnicki It’s hard to ignore Jerry Kelly on the golf course, or anywhere else, for that matter. He plays golf with a passion; an Everyman grit that’s as engaging as his laser-sharp, straight-down-the-middle drives. He cheers his target-bound balls to their destination like he’s in the stands of the Stanley [...]
Photo courtesy of Corey Lundberg By Patti Putnicki Anyone who has played the sport knows the truth: golf is a wicked-hard game that’s as much shot choice, mental focus and course strategy as it is about the physical swing. Mastering such a complex sport is challenging enough for adults. But, how do you effectively coach talented, young [...]
Photo: Dean & DeLuca Invitational By Patti Putnicki The past two weeks have been golf nirvana in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, with the AT&T Byron Nelson, quickly followed by the Dean & Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. Throngs of spectators, sponsors and media from around the globe converged to see just what greatness would [...]
PGA Tour pro Mark Wilson. Photo: PGA TOUR By Patti Putnicki Golf is a wicked game that can build you up, then let you down—whether you’re a pro or a 20-something handicapper. Yet, anyone who plays the sport is drawn back to it, sometimes to be rewarded; other times throttled. The highs and the lows are frustrating [...]
By Patti Putnicki Not too long ago, mobile phones weren’t even allowed on the grounds of the TPC Four Seasons during the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament. Today, with AT&T’s sponsorship and a throng of selfie-loving spectators, all of that has changed. The tournament not only encourages social sharing, but title sponsor AT&T has transformed this popular golf championship into a [...]
Danny Lee provides advice for junior golfers who aspire to turn pro By Patti Putnicki Whether you survey the crowds at the 2016 AT&T Byron Nelson Golf Tournament, or the practice tee of your local golf course, you’ll likely see the same thing: kids who think golf is cool. Today, an estimated 3.1 million youth, age 6 [...]
Photo: PGA TOUR By Patti Putnicki Every amateur golfer knows the feeling. You’re out on the golf course, things are going well. Then, a miss. Another miss. You feel your body tense as, in an attempt to “fix” the problem, you start “trying” to play golf instead of playing golf. You recall your lessons, you go into [...]
Photo: Momentous Institute/Facebook By Patti Putnicki The AT&T Byron Nelson Golf Tournament is known for its beautiful spectators, outstanding golf and oft-times, soggy conditions. It’s a place where the best of the best compete; where a 16-year-old Jordan Spieth made an impressive debut back in 2010. It’s also the home of the “red pants phenomenon”—the PGA tour [...]