The
past year and a half has proven to be
the most challenging time frame in my
professional golf career. The day before
my dad's 63rd birthday (in the fall of
2009) he lost a 4 1/2 year battle with
cancer.
At
the time of his death I was playing my
second season on the PGA Tour. I had
gotten off to a decent start on the West
coast finishing T9 at the Bob Hope. I
was looking forward to another season of
improvement. Just before the Tournament
Players' Championship my family and I
were dealt the devastating news.....my
dad had six months to a year to live.
Despite playing well at the Tournament
Players' Championship, the last
tournament my father would watched me
play at in person, my season hit a wall.
The
TPC was a special event for my dad and
I. Even though my father was struggling
with lung cancer he was determined to
watch me play in the biggest tournament
of my career. Fortunately, during
the opening round my dad ran into one of
his former Providence College buddies
(Joe Monahan). Joe recognized my
father's plight, and helped coordinate
the use of a cart for my father (for the
remainder of the tournament), through
his son, Tournament Director, Jay
Monahan. It was a special week. I am
indebted to the Monahans for their kind
gesture.
After
the TPC, golf lost some of its meaning
to me. My focus was primarily on my
family, most notably my dad. While I
continued to play on the Tour it was not
with the same attention to detail or
enthusiasm. A part of me wanted to be
play for my dad, as I knew how much he
enjoyed following my career, but I just
didn't feel right playing a game, while
my dad was living his final days. To
make matters worse I developed an arch
injury shortly after the TPC. In
retrospect I probably should have shut
it down considering the circumstances,
but I wanted my dad to see me win a PGA
Tour event before he passed away.
After
my father's passing it took close to
eight months before golf became a focus
in my life again. I wasn't ready
mentally to deal with playing golf
without my dad around. My father was the
person most responsible for my success.
He played so many roles in my life as
golfer.
To
date the road back to the PGA Tour has
been a bumpy one. It is a challenge
trying to balance having a family with
playing professional golf at the PGA
Tour level. I am committed to earning my
PGA Tour card back though. This season I
will be competing primarily on the
Nationwide Tour. Obviously, I would love
to play in the Travelers Championship
again this year (my home event). I am
confident by this time next year I will
be a PGA Tour member.
As a
former Challenge Cup player, I am
constantly checking the results on the
website. I take great pride in the
organization my father started and my
brother has taken to another level. My
family is most proud of what the
Challenge Cup represents. While there is
a highly competitive element to the
program, my father and brother shared a
deeper vision. Through the circle of
people in the game of golf many
wonderful relationships are formed and
opportunities provided. The entire
Challenge Cup staff believes in this
credo. The Challenge Cup is like a big
family.
In
closing, I would like to wish Challenge
Cup Nation another successful season.
You are part of an amazing fraternity.
Once you are a member of the Nation you
are a member for life.
Cheers,
Brad
Adamonis
