Posted on 04/18/2007 6:04:15 AM PDT by John Galt 72
American Values Drive a Masters Champion
April 16, 2007
by Matt Carrothers
It’s about an hour’s drive from Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the Field of Dreams movie site in rural Dyersville. Elmcrest is where 2007 Master’s golf tournament champion Zach Johnson first learned the game. The distance traveled by Johnson from Elmcrest to the champion’s podium at Augusta National Golf Club is more accurately measured in years and experience, not miles. It is Johnson’s faith, work ethic and commitment to individual excellence that carried him to his own field of dreams.
Much of the television commentary about Johnson during the final round of Master’s coverage on Easter Sunday highlighted the Horatio Alger-like aspects of his journey from relative obscurity to top of the leader board. CBS commentator Jim Nantz reminded viewers that Johnson was only the second-best golfer on his high school team. Failing to obtain a scholarship from the University of Iowa, he enrolled at Drake University, where again he was the number two player on his team. Following graduation from Drake in 1998, Johnson spent the next five years in professional golf’s minor leagues. He finally won a PGA tour event in 2004.
Those are certainly the Hollywood highlights. A report in Golf Magazine on the tournament focused on a telling episode of Johnson’s preparation that the television announcers missed. In the dwindling sunlight of Saturday evening, Johnson and his caddie stood alone on the practice putting green. He worked on his putting past 7:45 pm. At the time he was tied for fourth place, two strokes behind the leader. His weary caddie watched on, but Johnson said, “The work we’re doing right now is going to save me one stroke tomorrow.”
Indeed, Johnson’s 12-foot birdie putt on the final round’s 16th hole was his sixth birdie of the day. He won the tournament by two strokes, just ahead of four-time Master’s champion Tiger Woods, two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and former World Golf Championships winner Rory Sabbatini.
Americans love the stories of individuals who surface from seemingly nowhere and against great odds to beat their competitors. Our desire for the dramatic and the romantic story lets us forget that they actually did emerge from somewhere. They come from places like Cedar Rapids and the thousands of other small cities, rural areas and ethnic neighborhoods that dot our American map. Unlike so many of the stars in popular music, television and movies, we often recognize ourselves in the life stories of those who achieve success in the sports, business and political arenas.
American exceptionalism would not be possible without the extraordinary achievements of individuals. Too often the leaders of our government institutions downplay and even discourage the role of individual initiative in producing successful outcomes. They write laws and regulations that constrain the individual in nearly every aspect of our social and fiscal fabric. The goal of government today is to increase our dependence on the state while minimizing opportunities for the individual. This is clearly not the same role written over 200 years ago.
Yet it was the ideas and achievements of individuals that constructed this exceptional America. Successful individuals continue to find motivation in the time-tested factors of profit, adherence to Judeo-Christian values and the pursuit of excellence as its own goal.
Though our government attempts to stifle individual initiative, these are the values that allow government institutions in a democracy to flourish. A government that continually suppresses the will of the individual sows the seeds of its eventual demise. The values held by our sports, business and political heroes show us opportunities and provide us inspiration for our own pursuits.
Following the Master’s tournament, Nantz asked Johnson, “Does this seem almost like a dream for you right now?”
Johnson replied, “This is very surreal. I’ve dreamt about it for years….I put a lot of work into it. I give my Lord and Jesus all the credit.”
Nantz continued, “Your whole life has changed. Do you realize that?”
Johnson responded, “Well, from a professional standpoint it certainly has. I feel like Zach Johnson the person is not going to change….I’m a Midwest guy from Iowa and that’s what it’s all about.”
The road from Elmcrest Country Club to the Field of Dreams meanders northeast on U.S. Highway 151 through rolling countryside and thriving small towns. Much of the scenery between Cedar Rapids and Dyersville still resembles American Gothic painter Grant Woods’s 1930s renditions of the countless cornfields, pastures and farms along the way.
We can take comfort in the knowledge that the slow-changing landscapes of America continue to produce our most admired heroes. America will remain exceptional as long as individuals who possess traditional values pursue the timeless goal of individual success.
That’s what it’s all about.
© 2007 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.
NICE man.
It’s good to see the underdog win. Go Zach, enjoy your victory.
Ping!
Great article by Matt Carrothers. Congratulations to 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson.
Sounds as though this man knows where his talent comes from and despite his hard work and due diligence in his sport, without first giving God the honor and respect, he is nothing.
I am reminded of the Scottish minister's statement in "Chariots of Fire,"..."When I run, I feel His Pleasure!"
One of the few U.S. bright spots at last year’s Ryder Cup.
Payne Stewart is smiling—STILL miss that guy!
BUMP
bump!
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