I apologize in advance for this somewhat off-topic "story" (long too), but there is a bit of a wrestling slant as well. And I flat out just couldn't resist handing out some kudo's to a couple of guys.
I'm sure some of you are aware, that Hawkeye Fan and Cedar Rapids native and former Drake golfer Zach Johnson just became the "Champion Golfer of the Year" after winning the British Open this Monday (does our man about town in Cedar Rapids GG have Zach on speed dial though!). It's his 12th PGA Tour win and 2nd Major Championship after winning the Masters in 2007. Hell of a run I'd say for a guy who wasn't even the #1 golfer on his High School or College team.
Anyway, some of you may know a family friend that I've mentioned several times on here from my hometown. Former Nebraska wrestler Terry Cook. Terry has helped Iowa Wrestling with some golf fund raisers in the Des Moines area I believe, and is a pretty fair amateur golfer in Iowa and has been for years, and still stays on top of the wrestling scene and has been on Takedown Radio numerous times. He even got a mention in Gables new Wrestling for Life book!
My memory is a bit murky, so paraphrasing some here.................Anyway, back in the late 90's, we were having a conversation about golf, and he had recently played with some "kid" that really impressed him, a former Drake player by the name of Zach Johnson. This was just prior to Zach turning pro I believe (which was mostly small tour stuff for several years back then). Terry specifically told me all the way back then "keep an eye on this kid named Zach Johnson, he's got an OUTSTANDING short game, the kind that can make you some money playing golf for a living!". So I said OK, and made a point to watch for any tournaments he might be entered in.
Shortly thereafter, I believe Zach got an exemption to what was then the Quad City Open (?) I believe (before John Deere took it over for what is now the John Deere Classic). Zach didn't make the cut that week, so I immediately texted my friend Terry and gave him one of those smart-ass "yeah, Zach's really gonna tear up the PGA Tour!" remarks. I knew it was just one tournament, but had to give Terry some "grief" about his "prediction" in the early stages.
Well, here it is some 17 years or so down the road, and there sits Zach Johnson with two of Golfs most prestigious Major Championships, a dozen PGA Tour wins, on the precipice of being in the conversation to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Did I mention the endorsements and prize money in the tens of millions of dollars he's made for playing a game?
So, long story short, I wanted to give out much deserved props to Zach Johnson, and to my old friend Terry Cook, who "called it" all those years ago (and may not even remember doing it). Well done guys.
I'm sure some of you are aware, that Hawkeye Fan and Cedar Rapids native and former Drake golfer Zach Johnson just became the "Champion Golfer of the Year" after winning the British Open this Monday (does our man about town in Cedar Rapids GG have Zach on speed dial though!). It's his 12th PGA Tour win and 2nd Major Championship after winning the Masters in 2007. Hell of a run I'd say for a guy who wasn't even the #1 golfer on his High School or College team.
Anyway, some of you may know a family friend that I've mentioned several times on here from my hometown. Former Nebraska wrestler Terry Cook. Terry has helped Iowa Wrestling with some golf fund raisers in the Des Moines area I believe, and is a pretty fair amateur golfer in Iowa and has been for years, and still stays on top of the wrestling scene and has been on Takedown Radio numerous times. He even got a mention in Gables new Wrestling for Life book!
My memory is a bit murky, so paraphrasing some here.................Anyway, back in the late 90's, we were having a conversation about golf, and he had recently played with some "kid" that really impressed him, a former Drake player by the name of Zach Johnson. This was just prior to Zach turning pro I believe (which was mostly small tour stuff for several years back then). Terry specifically told me all the way back then "keep an eye on this kid named Zach Johnson, he's got an OUTSTANDING short game, the kind that can make you some money playing golf for a living!". So I said OK, and made a point to watch for any tournaments he might be entered in.
Shortly thereafter, I believe Zach got an exemption to what was then the Quad City Open (?) I believe (before John Deere took it over for what is now the John Deere Classic). Zach didn't make the cut that week, so I immediately texted my friend Terry and gave him one of those smart-ass "yeah, Zach's really gonna tear up the PGA Tour!" remarks. I knew it was just one tournament, but had to give Terry some "grief" about his "prediction" in the early stages.
Well, here it is some 17 years or so down the road, and there sits Zach Johnson with two of Golfs most prestigious Major Championships, a dozen PGA Tour wins, on the precipice of being in the conversation to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Did I mention the endorsements and prize money in the tens of millions of dollars he's made for playing a game?
So, long story short, I wanted to give out much deserved props to Zach Johnson, and to my old friend Terry Cook, who "called it" all those years ago (and may not even remember doing it). Well done guys.
