Local pro Bryan played in 1999 PGA Championship
Time flies, but some memories are forever, and George Bryan III savors every moment from this week 16 years ago.
“I walked the dream,” he said.
Bryan, one of the state’s top golf instructors who operates the George Bryan Golf Academy in Chapin, spent this week in August, 1999, competing in the PGA Championship at Medinah near Chicago.
Golf fans remember the tournament for Tiger Woods’ winning his second major championship and Sergio Garcia’s chasing his around-the-tree shot in the final round. Bryan, who missed the cut after rounds of 76-77—153, recalls every shot he hit, playing in the pairing behind Vijay Singh and immediately ahead of the Woods-Tom Watson group and his practice round with Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabel and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
“You hear and read about (playing in majors), but I had no idea what it would be like,” said Bryan, who did not take up golf until after high school, earned a spot on the USC team and fell short of making the PGA Tour.
But he stayed in golf, teaching the game, playing in regional competition and taking occasional shots in tournaments on what is now the Web.com tour. Then, he earned a place in the 1999 PGA Professional National Championship and tied for eighth to secure one of the spots for club pros in the PGA Championship.
“I played behind the Vijay-Hal Sutton group and in front of the Tiger-Watson group for 36 holes, and I will never forget that,” Bryan said. “On the par 3s, play would get backed up, and the group in front would see my shots and the group behind would be waiting to see them too.
“I wasn’t so much concerned about Tiger (watching); he was just a kid and his only major then before had been the (1997) Masters. It was Watson being there within 15 feet who got my heart going.”
Bryan birdied the first hole to have the honor on the par-3 second.
“I was completely numb,” he said. “I was fortunate (sports psychologist) Morris Pickens had taught me what to do when you have no control. I could have gone to heaven right there.”
He responded with a tee shot on the green.
Bryan qualified at the PGA Professional Championship played at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, site of this week’s PGA and the 2010 PGA in which Dustin Johnson suffered the penalty that kept him out of the Martin Kaymer-Bubba Watson playoff.
“I saw then how confusing (the bunkers) can be where Dustin grounded his club (in a hazard),” Bryan said. “I had been there. That was my bailout area off the tee if the wind was in my face. They might have changed it now.”
Today, he has a lot on his plate. He teaches the game, watches sons George IV and Wesley strive for success in the pro ranks and in their trick-shot artistry, and is coaching Columbia International University’s first golf team.
But forget this week in his life 16 years ago? Not a chance.
CHIP SHOTS
Clem King, CC of Lexington general manager, won the Carolinas Seniors PGA title and a berth in the Senior PGA Professional National championship in October. King and David Thore (Wilmington, N.C.) shared the first-round lead with 68s at Cape Fear National in Leland, N.C. After rain washed out the final 18 holes, King edged Thore in a playoff for the championship, making birdie on the first extra hole. Six other pros, all from North Carolina, will join King in representing the Carolinas Section in the national tourney.