Notes From The Road

Posted: Monday, May 19, 2008

Contributor: Peter Jacobsen

The Payne Stewart Cup

After five weeks of rest and rehab following my total knee replacement on March 29, it was great to get back out on the road again. Unfortunately, it wasn't to play in a tournament...but it was for a very important cause.

I went to Dallas to speak at the 10th anniversary of the Payne Stewart Cup fundraiser and pro-am. The event benefits the Southern Methodist University's mens and women's golf programs. Payne played college golf at SMU and was a tremendous supporter of their golf program after he graduated.

It was fun to meet SMU alum Colt Knost, who is also a former US Amateur champion. Colt and my good friend, teaching professional Chris O'Connell, conducted a clinic before play. Colt is going to be a very good player on the PGA TOUR. He has solid fundamentals and a fantastic personality. Something must have clicked for him here because he went on to win the Nationwide Tour event the next week! It was great of Chris to fill in for me as I remained on the 'injured reserve' list. Chris is quickly becoming one of the top young teachers in the game. He helps me a great deal whenever we're together. Chris teaches under the 'umbrella' of my long time teacher Jim Hardy. Together, they make a very formidable team!

It was a special trip for many reasons; one was being able to reconnect with Payne's widow, Tracey, and his son Aaron. Aaron is following in his father's footsteps by attending SMU and playing on the golf team. Both Tracey and Aaron are doing really well, as is their daughter Chelsea, who is a recent graduate of Clemson University.

Another interesting aspect of attending the Payne Stewart Cup was to see my old friend from Portland June Jones, who was recently named the new head football coach at SMU. If June has the kind of success he had at the University of Hawaii, watch out for the SMU Mustangs!

I was honored to be able to attend on behalf of my good friend Payne and I can assure everyone that Payne's spirit and passion for the game lives on in all of us that loved him.