Brian Gay: A Gator Who's Ready To Roll
Glenn Swift
May 15, 2008
Brian Gay began playing golf at age 9, and from the minute he first touched a club "it was full steam every day." There was only one problem -- young Gay was an Army brat.
"I couldn´t get on the Army courses until 10," Gay laughed. Needless to say, the future PGA Tour member was not deterred. In fact, he had already made a career decision before playing his first round. "From age 9 on, playing golf was all that I ever wanted to do."
After Gay turned the magic age of 10, "I practically lived on the golf course."
Exaggeration maybe, but he certainly must have put the time in. The summer he turned 11, Gay began playing competitively. It must have been a lucky number. "That summer I played in 11 tournaments and won 8 of them."
Not a bad start, but this was just the beginning.
"By 14, I quit playing all the other sports. Jack Nicklaus had become my idol, and it was nothing but golf from then on."
Gay went on to have a spectacular high school career, which earned him a golf scholarship to perennial national power (in just about everything), the University of Florida.
"We had a phenomenal team, and I played all four years for the Gators. We won the Southeastern Conference championship every year and the national championship my junior year." The humble Gay failed to mention that he also won individual honors in the vaunted SEC conference tourney twice.
"I turned pro right out of college in 1994 and began playing competitively on the Hooters and Gold Coast (n.k.a. the Golden Bear) Tours. In 1997, I played on the Asian Tour before returning to the US and advancing to the Nike Tour the following year. In 1999, I had my biggest thrill ever; I qualified for the PGA Tour."
Gay´s been playing at golf´s top level ever since. He enjoyed his best year in 2001 after finishing 41st on the money list. On two occasions, Gay has nearly walked away with a trophy.
"In the Colonial back in 2001, Sergio (Garcia) shot really low on the final round to beat me by one shot. And in the Buick Open the following year, Tiger (Woods) shot lights out on the last day to beat me by a shot. Of course, I always tell people that in the Buick I tied for first, because you can´t count Tiger," he cracked.
Gay, now 36, continues to work on improving his game, frequently invoking the efforts of well-known teaching professionals David Leadbetter and Lynn Blake. "Lately, Lynn has worked with me about my address and swing plain. I´m hitting it pretty well and confident that my game is on the right track."
The unabashedly honest Gay is not gun shy about admitting that he is not the longest hitter on the Tour. When asked where the 5ft. 10," 155-pounder gets his power, he quickly retorted, "I don´t have any."
Clearly, Gay must do something pretty well.
"Compared to the average golfer I hit it a mile, but to most guys up here, I´m not very long. I´m a very accurate driver; I hit it straight. As for what I do best, the short game, getting up and down (chipping and putting) is definitely the best part of my game."
With regard to his immediate goal, that´s pretty simple. "I want to win. The last couple years I´ve been very close, only to have a few setbacks here and there. But my ball striking is more consistent than ever and I´ve learned the ropes of the Tour. The key for me right now is to stay positive. So much of this game is mental, especially at this level. It´s easy to get down on yourself; the players are so incredibly good and the courses so very tough. But you have to keep at it and maintain a positive attitude."
The camaraderie enjoyed by the members of golf´s most elite group helps to take a bit of the edge off. "Pretty much everybody on the Tour is family. Then again, this is business and everyone is focused on their game."
Then again, there´s always the unexpected. Year before last while playing the Chrysler Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, he was just about to tee off when the police stormed onto the tee box. No, they weren´t out to apprehend Gay, but in hot pursuit of a pair of juveniles accused of burglarizing a nearby house. The experienced Tour player thought he had seen about everything on a golf course, but readily admitted that the bizarre occurrence was the first time he ever witnessed a "man hunt" on the links.
Born in Ft. Worth and raised in Alabama, Gay was for several years a resident of Palm Beach Gardens. That all changed back in 1999 when his parents retired and moved to Orlando. He now lives in nearby Windermere with wife Kimberly and two daughters, ages 7 and 3. "Orlando is very convenient to just about anywhere in Florida and a good spot to travel out of."
Gay acknowledged that he wouldn´t be able to compete at the sport´s highest level without the unwavering support of his family. "They´ve been very supportive and able to travel with me about 75% of the time. That´s made it so much easier."
With regard to his career, Gay is enjoying a renewed confidence.
"I think things are coming together for me now," said Gay.
When a Gator says that, you better watch out.
"I couldn´t get on the Army courses until 10," Gay laughed. Needless to say, the future PGA Tour member was not deterred. In fact, he had already made a career decision before playing his first round. "From age 9 on, playing golf was all that I ever wanted to do."
After Gay turned the magic age of 10, "I practically lived on the golf course."
Exaggeration maybe, but he certainly must have put the time in. The summer he turned 11, Gay began playing competitively. It must have been a lucky number. "That summer I played in 11 tournaments and won 8 of them."
Not a bad start, but this was just the beginning.
"By 14, I quit playing all the other sports. Jack Nicklaus had become my idol, and it was nothing but golf from then on."
Gay went on to have a spectacular high school career, which earned him a golf scholarship to perennial national power (in just about everything), the University of Florida.
"We had a phenomenal team, and I played all four years for the Gators. We won the Southeastern Conference championship every year and the national championship my junior year." The humble Gay failed to mention that he also won individual honors in the vaunted SEC conference tourney twice.
"I turned pro right out of college in 1994 and began playing competitively on the Hooters and Gold Coast (n.k.a. the Golden Bear) Tours. In 1997, I played on the Asian Tour before returning to the US and advancing to the Nike Tour the following year. In 1999, I had my biggest thrill ever; I qualified for the PGA Tour."
Gay´s been playing at golf´s top level ever since. He enjoyed his best year in 2001 after finishing 41st on the money list. On two occasions, Gay has nearly walked away with a trophy.
"In the Colonial back in 2001, Sergio (Garcia) shot really low on the final round to beat me by one shot. And in the Buick Open the following year, Tiger (Woods) shot lights out on the last day to beat me by a shot. Of course, I always tell people that in the Buick I tied for first, because you can´t count Tiger," he cracked.
Gay, now 36, continues to work on improving his game, frequently invoking the efforts of well-known teaching professionals David Leadbetter and Lynn Blake. "Lately, Lynn has worked with me about my address and swing plain. I´m hitting it pretty well and confident that my game is on the right track."
The unabashedly honest Gay is not gun shy about admitting that he is not the longest hitter on the Tour. When asked where the 5ft. 10," 155-pounder gets his power, he quickly retorted, "I don´t have any."
Clearly, Gay must do something pretty well.
"Compared to the average golfer I hit it a mile, but to most guys up here, I´m not very long. I´m a very accurate driver; I hit it straight. As for what I do best, the short game, getting up and down (chipping and putting) is definitely the best part of my game."
With regard to his immediate goal, that´s pretty simple. "I want to win. The last couple years I´ve been very close, only to have a few setbacks here and there. But my ball striking is more consistent than ever and I´ve learned the ropes of the Tour. The key for me right now is to stay positive. So much of this game is mental, especially at this level. It´s easy to get down on yourself; the players are so incredibly good and the courses so very tough. But you have to keep at it and maintain a positive attitude."
The camaraderie enjoyed by the members of golf´s most elite group helps to take a bit of the edge off. "Pretty much everybody on the Tour is family. Then again, this is business and everyone is focused on their game."
Then again, there´s always the unexpected. Year before last while playing the Chrysler Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, he was just about to tee off when the police stormed onto the tee box. No, they weren´t out to apprehend Gay, but in hot pursuit of a pair of juveniles accused of burglarizing a nearby house. The experienced Tour player thought he had seen about everything on a golf course, but readily admitted that the bizarre occurrence was the first time he ever witnessed a "man hunt" on the links.
Born in Ft. Worth and raised in Alabama, Gay was for several years a resident of Palm Beach Gardens. That all changed back in 1999 when his parents retired and moved to Orlando. He now lives in nearby Windermere with wife Kimberly and two daughters, ages 7 and 3. "Orlando is very convenient to just about anywhere in Florida and a good spot to travel out of."
Gay acknowledged that he wouldn´t be able to compete at the sport´s highest level without the unwavering support of his family. "They´ve been very supportive and able to travel with me about 75% of the time. That´s made it so much easier."
With regard to his career, Gay is enjoying a renewed confidence.
"I think things are coming together for me now," said Gay.
When a Gator says that, you better watch out.
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