PGA Pro Golfer Jonathan Byrd
Jonathan Byrd was born in South Carolina and went to Clemson University. He was the first four-time First Team All-ACC player in Clemson history and was named a First Team All-America in 1999. He turned pro in 2000, and today, he holds 5 PGA Tour Wins: The 2002 Buick Challenge, the 2004 B.C. Open, the 2007 John Deere Classic, the 2010 Justin Timberblake Shriners Open and the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Jonathan Byrd Golf Video
Seen this yet? In the opening round of the 2012 Players Championship, Jonathan Byrd chips in for eagle on the par-5 9th hole and makes the shot of the day.
Jonathan Byrd, Family Man
But behind the prestigious tournaments and his performance on the golf course, Jonathan Byrd is a family man who’s got his priorities in the right place. To him, “the really important thing is your family and getting to spend time with them.” Check out this short clip of Jonathan Byrd hanging out at home and playing with his kids.
Jonathan Byrd and College Golf Fellowship
But besides investing in his own children, Jonathan Byrd also loves investing in college golfers. He enjoys hanging out with pro golfers who share his vision. He loves playing sports with students and being a part of CGF Retreats. He told LinkPlayers:
I’m really good friends with Ben Crane and Zach Johnson… I’m good friends with the guys at College Golf Fellowship, Brad Payne and Stephen Bunn…If I need counsel or I need somebody to filter and idea through or just encouragement, those are the guys God has placed in my life.
and:
College Golf Fellowship is probably the number one ministry I’m involved with. I just have such a heart for college students because I was in college and I was an idiot that first year and a half in college, just kind of living foolishly, pretty much running from God. I know what the environment’s like. You’ve got so many professors and so many different people who can influence your thinking in the direction you go in life.
The best thing I can pass on to younger players is my story. I can give them golf tips and I can tell them golf stories, and they love to hear that kind of stuff because I’m where they want to be someday, playing on the PGA Tour and I’ve won two PGA Tour events, so I kind of have some credibility going into it. A lot of kids just want to know golf tips, how they can get better, but the best thing I can give those kids is my story, my testimony, how I came to realize that I needed a Savior.
Jonathan Byrd Ministry Video
Listen to him share his experience with College Golf Fellowship:
Transcript
I love College Golf Fellowship. I love the staff; I love the kids; And every time I’m around these guys, I’m reminded of what I was like in college. And just how things could have played out a whole lot differently.
I’m reminded of when I was in college–how I was running from God. And God extended his mercy and grace and his patience on me. And he kept running after me and pursuing me. And I just think back to the guys who I was able to turn to in college who explained some truth to me, pointed me on the right path, and got me excited about this relationship with Christ that I was I was learning about. And how I was able to turn to College Golf Fellowship and receive some guidance.
And I just want these guys to experience what I experienced. It’s fun playing basketball with these guys. It’s fun talking to them. It’s fun laughing with them. It’s just good for my soul to be around these guys, tell them my struggles and to hear their struggles and realize that we’re all in this same battle together. It’s just good for us.
And I just walk away after a couple of days–3 days, 4 days–and I’m just very encouraged in my walk with Christ.
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