Published: October 07, 2008 02:06 am            

Perry still a good old country boy

RICHMOND — It has been a couple of weeks since our small-town country boys snatched the Ryder Cup back from the supposedly happy-go-lucky Europeans and I can’t forget it.

I think our country boys — Kenny Perry, J. B. Holmes and Bo Weekley — injected enough devil-may-care spirit into our team that we won the cup back. This team had more characters and charisma than some of our past teams. It was infectious and showed in their performance.

I admire all of these great players on our American team, but there is one player in particular that I think “Hung the Moon,” and that is Kenny Perry. I have read a lot of articles on his background and his life in Franklin and it is certainly worth mentioning.

Kenny has earned $26 million in his 22 years in the PGA. He is a very giving person and has used his money to help a lot of people in need. He has given $1.3 million to Lipscomb University in Nashville. In the mid-1990s, he borrowed $2.5 million to buy 142 acres of land and build an affordable golf course in Franklin and he gives free memberships to some who help the county. He has given the local Boys and Girls Club hundreds of thousands and much more to so many people.

Kenny Perry has not let success go to his head. Kenny said of himself, “I live in a simple town. I’m a simple guy.” Well, he may be a simple guy, but he still found time away from the PGA Tour to coach a high school boy’s golf team and also help out with the girl’s team.

He gets behind the counter in the pro shop at Country Creek Golf Club and helps out sometimes.

This summer Kenny drew criticism for not playing in the British Open. In one of my columns, I wrote that it was his loyalty to sponsors who gave him an exemption when he was a “nobody” that was greater than his commitment to play in a major.

He chose loyalty over fame.

Kenny’s golf coach at Western Kentucky University said, “When Kenny kept his commitment to play at Milwaukee instead of the British Open, he chose integrity over career. That’s who Kenny Perry is. He’s the most wonderful human being you could ever hope to meet.”

Kenny goes to church twice a week. He said that when he is dead and in his coffin that he hopes people will not remember him for what he did in golf but what he did with life, with people, with caring and sharing.

Wow! What a man.

I only hope that I will cross paths with you some day. Salute!



Red House Baptist holds sixth-annual golf retreat

Thirty-one golfers headed down to Dale Hollow State Park Sept. 11 through 13 for Red House Baptist’s annual golf retreat. The golfers were divided into two teams captained by Duane Cornett and Brian Wilson and played friendly two-man matches.

Everyone enjoyed the nightly devotions, Christian fellowship, an outstanding golf course, the natural beauty of the area and the good food at the lodge.

The golf retreat is part of the men’s ministry at Red House and is open to non-members as well as members of the church. For info about the men’s ministries, call 623-8471.

Special thanks to my neighbor, Ron Cardinali, for this report.



Upcoming events

Oct. 11 at Bluegrass Army Depot — Rally For The Cure Golf Scramble to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Entry fee is $35. Shotgun start is 11 a.m. For info, call 779-7222.



Final thought

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul’s support — George Bernard Shaw.

Until next time … live, love, laugh and learn, Glenmore.

        

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