kindness, faith, and golf

I was fortunate to be asked a couple of months ago to do some commissioned mixed media work 

for a wonderful business man here in Charlotte. 

Usually my art appeals to mostly women, so it was interesting to have a man ask about my work. 

This Christian businessman and family man has been wonderful and has really taken to my art. 

He decided to surprise each of his family members with an original mixed media and specifically chose scripture for each recipient. I just love that!

One of the recipients just happens to be his son-in -law, who married his daughter....

Webb Simpson

Yep, the incredible PGA golfer.

Yep, the one our son Walker, absolutely thinks the world of, and looks up to. 

Yep, the one who keeps winning over and over again.

Yep, the one who was on the cover of Golf Digest last month.

Walker wrote Webb a hand-written note which he opened Christmas morning. 

I am sure he gets lots of fan mail now 

but this was a unique situation to have it be attached to the art and his personal Christmas gift.

So fast forward to earlier this week. 

I get a call from the very kind Greg Keith, Webb's father-in law, asking if I could come by his office.

I was shocked and thrilled and delighted when he handed me this....

a gift from Webb to Walker.

wow!

Webb sent this signed PGA Titlelist touring hat with this verse embroidered on the back.

Titus 3:3-7

 ³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

And you just can't imagine how thrilled this 13 year old is.

And I must tell you, knowing what a fine Christian man and athlete Webb is 

makes us root for him all the more. 

He knows where his talent came from.

I hear wonderful things about his wife Dowd too, and hope to meet them both at some point.

PGA Tour star Webb Simpson, wife Dowd Simpson and seven-month-old son James were photographed on Thursday Sept. 8, 2011 in their Charlotte home. Dowd looks up a Bible verse she's quoted to Webb in the past to calm him during a golf tournament. Simpson, 26, a Charlotte resident, Raleigh native and Wake Forest graduate who has won two of the past three PGA Tour tournaments, returned home after his playoff victory Monday in Boston. Simpson is the FedEx Cup playoffs leader and in line to win $10 million if he can hang on. 

Right after Christmas we went to Pinehurst for Walker to play in the Donald Ross Jr. golf tournament.

It was a wonderful time and he did incredibly well...

He finished 75, 73 for a 148...6th in his age group out of 80+ kids.

Missed first place by 3 strokes. 

It was a great celebration of all the hours and practice he's put into the game he loves.

Here are a few highlights:

What a blessing and honor and thrill to receive that gift from Webb

who really had enough on his plate...

he was packing to be in Hawaii for the next 4 weeks and 

took the time to do this for our son.

Good stuff.

Here's to all the solid, true athletes with character and honor,

who live their faith on and off the course 

and

 who our kids can really look up to!

Praises!

Caroline