1) How did Little Rock Christian Academy prepare you for college?
I graduated from Walnut Valley Christian Academy (name of school prior to 2001), with a 2.7 GPA. I then went to college at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and graduated with a 3.6 GPA. My freshman year of college in comp 2 our final was a ten page paper. You would not believe the amount of complaining a bunch of college 20 year olds can do, but they did. Anyhow, the twenty page paper I wrote during my junior year of high school, on top of all the papers we wrote in Biblical Worldview more than prepared me. I feel like my last three years of high school were more difficult then all my years of college. Thanks W-NUT! (that is for all you pre LRCA alums)
2) What LRCA teachers impacted you the most and why?
I would have to say MRS. BAKKE. Not only is she the most kind hearted and loving person she is the best mom in the whole wide world! Thanks Mrs. B! I am still okay with sharing you as a mom with all your students. Love you!
3) Favorite class in high school?
Physics and any class involving math. Then of course, PE.
4) Hardest class in high school?
Mrs. Landrum’s ninth grade English. Barely passed that one.
5) Do you have any advice for graduating seniors?
The choices you make now will affect you for the rest of your life. So make them wisely.
6) How did you get interested in golf?
My dad is just as crazy about golf as I am. He was the most influential person in my golfing life and still is. However, I disliked golf until I was thirteen then one summer I got hooked, and well, I still am.
7) How has golf impacted your life?
In so many ways! I have been very blessed to be able to travel the world playing golf. I have played in South America, the UK, Sweden, and Australia, not to mention my favorite spot, Hawaii. Along with my faith, golf has done a great job of keeping me on the straight and narrow. As opposed to other sports, golf is the only game where you call penalties on yourself. This makes it a game of great character and that has carried over into the rest of my life. Golf also led me to my dream job. After college I was hired by Sidney Frank, owner of Grey Goose, to play golf for him. Yes, I was paid to play golf with four other great golfers everyday while he watched and instructed us on what clubs to hit on every shot. We vacationed with Mr. Frank and met people in this world I never thought I would, including Winston Churchill’s grandson. In fact, I still have a piece of paper with Donald Trump’s cell phone number and Bill Clinton’s cell phone number on it, both very good golfing buddies of Mr. Frank. I have some great stories and fond memories of that experience. Mr. Frank sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of 86. I worked for him for a year and a half and wish I could go back in time to relive the experience.
8) How did your college experience led to your career choice?
I would categorize myself as a golf nut and expert. I played four years of college golf at UALR, played golf for Mr. Frank, played four years of professional golf and now work at a golf company called Blue Goose Golf (www.bluegoosegolf.com). My four years of hard work and practice on the course at UALR is how I was so blessed in the golf industry.
9) Where do you see yourself in five years?
I really want to start a family with my beautiful wife Michelle! Three little ones running around!
