I’ve won some stuff. Responding to a recent question if I was qualified to critique online videos which asked, “Hum, and how many tournaments have you won?” Well, first I identified the question as the primary issue with the instruction industry, which attributes expertise with playing achievements.

I’ve proven as much when I watched Ian Poulter grind on a pro-am partner at Bay Hill in 2022. He shelled out more worthless information about what works “For me” than I’ve ever heard in trying to help someone else. Now, as stated repeatedly, I thought Ian was fantastic with his ams. He was cordial and collegial with the entire group. He even made an attempt to include me in their fun. Great guy.

Nonetheless, what he tried to do in fifteen holes, I did in one walk from tee to green on the par 3 seventh. I just explained the Physics of impact with a Mastercard executive, who more likely had a left brain bent. And, I was right. Each of his next five swings produced better and better results, including puring two, long, straight shots into hole nine. His mind was blown.

The next week at Valspar, Colli Mo., Brian Gay, and Mackenzie Hughes fumbled around for more than a dozen holes combined before I’d had enough and made my move. Sherwin-Williams President, Heidi Petz, had the same malady my Mastercard student had and worse – wicked heel dubs and slices. Poor girl’s best drive went about 80 yards. I stepped in between 6 and 7(holes 15&16) and fixed her up with the same Physics talk. Nothing applied to me. She drilled every drive thereafter sixty yards further, MINIMUM, and dead straight. She never knew she was so good.

Now, having completely obliterated the idea that tournament success has anything to do with swing knowledge and expertise, I return to my own experience. After a few dozen area junior titles, high school victories (9 holes), All-County, All-Conference, etc., I went to DePauw University where I became an All-American in my Freshman year. I finished second in the long drive contest at nationals without a tee – hitting three straight drives 304 uphill and into a breeze.

There, my winning continued through my Sophomore Fall, when I won the Strimer Invitational in heavy wind. Other teams included nationally-ranked Wittenberg, Ohio Wesleyan, Kenyon, Wooster, and three other competitive schools. My score of 143 (-1) was five shots clear of second place. My luck dried up after that, and winning was less frequent. After college, I played in the ‘93, ‘94, and ‘95 Western Amateurs.

The ‘93 Western was more of a fun trip to my Riddler’s place in Benton Harbor with Whopper. We played a practice round at ‘The Point’, and I fell in love with the golf course. Unfortunately, none of us qualified for the event, but I resolved to make it the next year. In defeat, we drank beer on Silver Beach and got a sunburn I won’t forget. We still managed to be completely juvenile for the rest of the week. Fred Reeder picked up the tab for ten of us at a local pub.

The ‘94 Western came, and I had the low score in the qualifier at my site (LMHGC) with a 71. I was paired with Ariel Canete for the first 36. I discovered how good a short game could be. Even though I only played 36 holes, I bested Ariel, who inspired me to sharpen my short game for the next year, which I did. I was overall low qualifier in ‘95 with a 70, made the 36 hole cut and, if not for an unfortunate Pepperdine Meyer incident(ball I.D. treachery) would have made match play.

I didn’t play in any tournaments after that until I entered the golf business. These Indiana Pro-Assistant victories were the two victories I had. They occurred after switching to an Open Stance and practicing my way to purity.

Both times, we shot morning 67s in Pinehurst format on Ackerman Hills and afternoon 65s in better ball format on Kampen. The ‘05 victory was unusual. We had a marker playing with us in the afternoon. I shot 66 with two bogeys. Both times, we won by two shots. I’ll bet no one will ever equal the record I set in Indiana golf. I believe I am the only ‘Pro’ to ever win every Pro-Assistant they played in.

Partner events are where I excel. During my time in South Florida, I and four different partners won four employee tournaments in seven attempts. I will wager again, is most likely a record that will never be broken.

Anyway, I’ve won some stuff. My handicap was somewhere around +7. I didn’t shoot over par much. Always played the tips. I can’t help but wonder how good I may have been if I’d been able to ask for sponsorship and financial help, or even been in a stable situation there… or anywhere in the golf business, for that matter. It’s a horrible business for an idealist.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

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