As mentioned in “Gus (Part One)”, I chose to make a significant investment in my golf game, one-month prior to my Three-Day Member-Guest in Pennsylvania. In retrospect, the timing of my decision; to pull the old jalopy into the repair shop for a major engine overhaul, was quite a gamble!
I met Gus Ulrich in the northwest corner of Pinewild Country Club’s driving range. Gus, a PGA Professional, has been the Director of Instruction at Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst, NC, since 2008.
Gus is soft spoken, engaging and engaged. He was genuinely curious relative to my concerns and objectives.
“He is a gentleman and a gentle man.” John Dempsey (President, Sandhills Community College)
I shared my intention to no longer embarrass myself, to begin the process of truly fixing the root of my problems and to once again, enjoy the game of golf…all in time for the Member-Guest, one month out!
After hitting a few balls and a brief conversation, we paused for a few moments of reflection. Gus gave absolutely no indication of this perceived image, however, in my mind, after evaluating and absorbing the enormity of his task at hand, I envisioned him taking an unusually deep breath, sighing, swaying back and forth, while simultaneously hitching-up both the left and right sides of his trousers!
Back to Reality:
Gus proceeded to kindly demonstrate my significantly flawed takeaway. I have always known I have had problems, however, I, along with others, just haven’t (after fifty plus years) been able to fix said problems. Gus then demonstrated the proper path and mentioned the required modifications would be challenging and would require a great deal of patience and effort on my part. I mentioned I had thirty-days’ worth of patience; effort was not an issue!
Gus Ulrich Resume (Player/Teacher/Coach): *
- Born in Garner, NC
- Walk-on at North Carolina State University’s golf team. Team MVP in his senior year
- Four-time finalist at the PGA Tour Qualifying School. Missed the cut by one shot in 1987 and three shots in 1988
- Spent two years on the Nationwide Tour
- In 1993, began his teaching career as a PGA Professional
- 2011 Carolinas PGA Section Champion
- Three-time Carolinas Section Senior Player of the Year (2016/2017/2018)
- Two-time Carolinas PGA Senior Professional Champion (2016/2025)
- Played in two US Senior Opens/three Senior PGA Championships
- Sandhills Community College Men’s Golf Coach (eighteen years):
- Six National Junior College Athletic Association D3 National Championships
- Five National Junior College Athletic Association D3 National Second-Place finishes
- Coached twenty-eight All-Americans
*Information was accumulated from a number of sources. In the event I short-changed your accomplishment, I apologize in advance. Regardless, I am hoping you get the idea.
In short order, Gus began to calmly, patiently, methodically dismantle my golf swing and attempt to modify a number of flawed body motions. We spent a total of five hour-long sessions together, gaining a bit of momentum with every visit. The most significant “takeaway” relative to my “takeaway” was… “The club head and the club handle are to leave at the same time.” Who knew!
Gus was absolutely correct; making these changes has been difficult. I diligently practiced at every opportunity; some days making progress, some days regressing, however, in general, I was moving the needle forward. My progress seemed to accelerate in his presence.
After some twenty days, five lessons and countless range sessions, it was time to cut the cord from my new coach and head north and take the old jalopy for a spin around the block!
So How Did Things Go/How Are Things Going:
- My Member-Guest host and best golfing buddy suggested I finally met his marginalized expectations in the Member-Guest. Candidly, what was he going to say?!
- I am deficient in many aspects of the game, however I feel I am more favorably advancing the ball in the general direction of the target.
- I continue to visit the range a number of times a week without trepidation, no longer frustrated, no longer seeking solutions. My range performance, although by no means perfect, is reasonably consistent. In addition, I no longer need to be positioned in the far-left station; no longer concerned with being gazed upon by my driving range community.
I have much work to do; however, I have a level of optimism in my golf game, feeling I am finally heading in the right direction.
Thank you, Gus! I look forward to our next visit!
Note: Congratulations to brother John for his very first hole-in-one on The Founders Club (Sarasota, FL) challenging par three second hole.
Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy. The back nine can only get better!
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