As we look back on 2023, there were plenty of golf stories that made us think. Maybe even more stories made us mad, but hey, that’s life. But in this post-Christmas/pre-New Year’s lull, let’s take a break from thinking and controversy.
Let’s just feel good.
So in that spirit, here are some of the stories from the past year that made us smile and, we hope, put us in a feel-good mode as we get ready for 2024.
The Return of “Lost Brands”
There’s a reason, friends, that a mid-’70s sitcom set in the ‘50s was called Happy Days. Nostalgia makes us feel good.
In January, we saw the return of legendary golf brands we thought were lost forever. Simon Millington’s Golf Brands Ltd. led the charge by bringing back Ram, Zebra and the brand once known as The Greatest Name in Golf, MacGregor.
Other brands that came back in 2023 include Snake Eyes and PowerBilt but Ram, Zebra and MacGregor all had value propositions that made you take notice. Ram FX77 irons may be an open model but they ranked second overall for forgiveness in our 2023 Game Improvement Iron test. Not bad for only $400.
And MacGregor made the boldest comeback statement of all with the absolutely lovely MT-86 and MT-86 OS forged irons.
And we wrapped up 2023 with news that Millington has also brought back the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. Hogan shut down for what we thought was the last time in the summer of 2022 but that company has gotten up off the mat more times than Rocky Balboa.
And from what we’ve seen, each company will have some pretty slick stuff in 2024.
The Return of “Lost Golfers”
Everyone loves a good redemption story and 2023 had more than its share. The ever-popular Rickie Fowler was seemingly lost in the PGA Tour’s version of the witness protection program last year. He hadn’t won since early 2019, dropping to 185th in the OWGR.But after rebuilding his swing with Butch Harmon, Rickie got his mojo back. He was in the final group on Sunday at the U.S. Open and returned to the winner’s circle in July at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Former World No. 1 Jason Day took an even longer route back to the top. Back ailments, vertigo and other issues sidetracked Day’s promising career but he ended his own victory drought by winning the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic in May.
The on-course fortunes of Lucas Glover changed for the better last June when the 2009 U.S. Open champ made a drastic equipment change. After years of struggling with the yips, Lucas switched to a L.A.B. Golf Mezz putter with a broomstick shaft. After three straight top-10s in July, Glover scored back-to-back wins at the Wyndham and FedEx St. Jude championships.
Then there’s the long path back traveled by Chris Kirk. Kirk won four tournaments between 2011 and 2015 but his career took a severe detour in 2019. That May, Kirk announced he was taking an “indefinite leave” from golf to deal with alcohol and depression issues. This past February, Kirk won his first tournament in eight years at the Honda Classic. His comeback was made complete in November when he was presented with the PGA Tour Courage Award.
The Return of “Happy” Gilmore
No, not that Happy Gilmore. We’re talking about 17-year-old Landon Gilmore from Bloomington, Ind. Landon, after winning a long-drive competition when he was seven, earned the nickname “Happy.”
This past June Landon, a high school senior, let the world know that “Happy” would be playing college golf at Indiana’s Ball State University. Within hours of posting the news on X, Gilmore was shocked to see the OG Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler, repost the announcement.
“My life is complete,” Landon told Golf Channel after seeing Sandler’s message. “I was speechless and didn’t really know what to do with myself for a minute.”
Don’t think Landon is getting by just on his nickname. He made the Indiana All-State golf team two years running and was named player of the year in 2020 by the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.
Landon tried to qualify for the 2023 U.S. Open. He was 16 over par in the local qualifier but revealed a Sandler-like sense of humor by posting a picture of his scorecard and announcing he’d applied for a job at the snack bar.
Seriously, how can you not pull for this kid?
The Return of Tiger
Tiger Woods doesn’t move the needle. He is the needle.
The golf world watched his return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge like it was the moon landing. But his surprise visit to a group of HBCU (Historically Black College or University) golfers during a Bridgestone photo shoot earns “Feel Good” story status.
ICYMI: Tiger Woods provided insight to Prairie View A&M golfers on how to perfect a mini draw.
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) December 24, 2023
Thank you Tiger Woods for paying it forward! #SWACGOLF | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/hs8duSxJmD
The college kids were understandably flamboozled by getting instruction from the GOAT. Florida A&M Men’s Golf Coach Mike Rice told HBCU GameDay that the experience was larger than life.
“Watching him interact with (my team) was just amazing to watch. He actually went over the time. His assistants told him that he had another event to attend and he told them he would leave once all the players got their questions out of him and not before.
“A star at that level doing that shows you the importance he put on the interaction with the players.”
The Return of “Spider-Man”
Ask any parent about their biggest fear and it’s always the health and safety of their children. Camilo Villegas lived that nightmare in 2020 when his 22-month-old daughter lost her battle with brain cancer.
Villegas and his wife Maria started a foundation in their daughter’s memory. Mia’s Miracles offers financial and emotional support to parents struggling with their children’s illnesses. And while pro golf gives us much to complain about, remember that the PGA Tour showed Villegas and his wife tremendous support following Mia’s death. After learning of Mia’s love of rainbows, the Tour gave players rainbow pins to wear on their caps in the events following her death. It may sound like a small thing but for a grieving parent knowing your peers have your back is immeasurable.
Villegas has been on Tour since 2006 and gained notoriety for his famous “Spider-Man” method of reading putts. But his career skidded after winning the Windham Championship in 2014. After losing Mia, Villegas – with his wife’s support – processed his grief by reconnecting with golf.
This past November, Villegas scored his first victory in nine years, winning the Butterfield Bermuda Championship with a final-round 65.
“Tough to put into words. What a ride,” Villegas was quoted by Golf Digest after his victory. “I love this game. It’s given me so many great things but, in the process, it kicks your butt.”
You can donate to support Mia’s Miracles here.
And One Final Feel Good …
It was kind of impossible to miss this one on social media. But this video of two airport workers working on their golf swings on the tarmac still makes me smile.
Two dudes I completely trust to make sure the clubs get on and off the plane safely
— W (@ZitiDoggsGolf) December 13, 2023
pic.twitter.com/QeevZyZgOy
Yeah, the guy on the right sways a little and the guy on the left needs to get his lower half into the swing. But despite everything we had to deal with in 2023, it’s good to remember that golf is still a game.
And games are supposed to be fun. And fun feels good.
Here’s to more fun in 2024, GolfSpies. May your New Year be filled with birdies and may you finally score that elusive first hole-in-one. I know mine is coming!
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