MEET JORDAN SPIETH: AMERICA’S NEW SPORTS HERO

by Marshall Frank April 14, 2015

Meet America’s newest sports hero; Jordan Spieth, age 21. What a guy. Keep your eye on this young man. He’s only just begun.

If ever young people in America were in need of a worthy role model amid a myriad of loonies, druggies and narcissists, he’s finally come along.

No, he doesn’t play football or basketball, nor does he rap or scream into microphones with high-amped rock bands. Spieth is a pro golfer extraordinaire. After two years on the professional golf tour, this young man now sits as Number #2 in the world. The only phenom who compares, is Tiger Woods who, 19 years ago, won the Masters at age 21.

But wait. Spieth, the same age, just won the Masters tournament last weekend, setting records for lowest scores ever at the 36 hole and 54 hole marks, and tied Tiger Woods’ 19 year record for the lowest score ever at the Masters, beating Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose by four strokes each. His earnings for one tournament: $1.8 million. And get this – one year ago in his first year on the tour in 2014, he placed 2^nd in that Masters Tournament, losing only to Bubba Watson.

He’s already had five wins on the professional tour, including three this year. Most pros would give their teeth to win even one pro tournament, and he’s only started.

Spieth was attending the University of Texas, but dropped out after 1.5 years to turn pro. After all, he had already won two U.S. Amateur Tournaments, and the lucrative PGA awaited him, offering far more than an academic degree would ever pay him, especially at such a young age. It wasn’t a bad decision. This year alone, his total winnings are nearly $5 million, and the season has just begun.

Besides being a model professional golfer, Spieth is one of the classiest young men to come along in a sport that is marinated with class. When interviewed following his big win, his thoughts turned mostly to his 14 year-old sister with autism. Here are some of his comments:

“I miss her a lot. I wish she could have been here,” he told a CNN reporter. “I can’t wait to get back to her and maybe let her try on the (green) jacket…she’s the most special part of our family.”

I like this guy. He is not only a fine athlete, he reeks of integrity. He reminds me of a term we once referred to well-grounded, moral and decent people: Clean-cut. It may be old-fashioned, but it’s still something to be appreciated.

Keep your eye on this guy. He’s going to be a positive role model for millions of young men and women down the road. A breath of fresh air.

Click here: Jordan Spieth – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Click here: Jordan Spieth: Autistic sister is key inspiration – CNN.com

5 comments

Just me. April 15, 2015 at 6:52 am

Right when American young people are in deep need of a true sportsman with a good heart and love of others, here he is – Jordan Spieth. I’m definitely going to send your column on to my grandchildren so they, too, can read about him.

Bob in GA April 15, 2015 at 7:42 am

I hope success doesn’t spoil him. Tiger Woods was once a humble young man – and that was part of his appeal and popularity.

Charlie April 15, 2015 at 7:59 am

Bob in GA knows a different Tiger Woods than I know. Woods was always surly, ignored well wishers on the course, over blown massive fist pumps for sinking putts of any length like an N.F.L. wide receiver after catching a 10 yard pass, cursing during play, once flung his golf club after a bad shot that his caddy had to jump out of the way of during a U.S.open. Yes, I was at a tournament at Doral when I witnessed him ignoring patrons who were walking beside him going from one green to the next tee when they were congratulating him on a previous putt. Humble was never a word I would use to describe Woods.
Jordan Spieth ? Class act.

george April 15, 2015 at 8:05 am

I think he is an example of why I like Texans so much…

Stu Milisci April 15, 2015 at 11:45 am

Little known fact: He attended a Jesuit high school and even though he left college after 3 terms, his fundamental education was solid and his commitment to his fellow man was established.

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