Monday June 22, 2009

Go Lucas Go!

Go Lucas Go!
Hopefully today will be a special day for Lucas Glover. If he can win the 109th United States Open today, Lucas would have made it the pinnacle in his profession. It would be the culmination of years of hard work.

It would also mean a lot to a lot of people close to Lucas. They say when you marry someone you also marry their family. Well, when you win the U.S. Open, it means so much to your family and friends. In this case, many of Lucas’ family and friends are Clemson folks.

For those that don’t know Lucas let me tell you one thing about him, Lucas Glover is a Tiger. He loves Clemson. Always has and I would expect always will.

Actually he had no choice. The biggest influence on Lucas’ life is his grandfather, Dick Hendley. Dick is in the Clemson athletic Hall of Fame for his excellence in football and baseball. He was a two sport athlete that went on to play in the NFL. Dick is also a very successful business man and a very successful grandfather.

Dick and Lucas have a special relationship. Dick not only introduced Lucas to the game but he also gave him his full attention and every chance to succeed. There have been a lot of fathers and grandfathers who have given their children a chance but it is still up to the kid to succeed and Lucas has done just that.

At one point in my life Lucas was one of my best friends in the world. Neither of us had married yet. We shared a love for golf, Mac’s Drive In and Clemson sports. Life got complicated for both of us and we are no longer close.

However, I see so much of Lucas in my son, Ryan. The only person I know that is more laid back than Lucas is Ryan. If Ryan won the lottery and Lucas won the U.S. Open both would probably say, “That’s pretty cool, I guess.”

Both are reserved in public until you really get to know them and their dry sense of humor takes over. Both love making their friends laugh and get a kick out of seeing them roll on the floor. Both are probably best at handling pressure and just as Ryan puts it, “Chillin’.”

I think they had to develop this laid back attitude because neither had the classic father-son relationship with their biological fathers. Both have had to adjust to step-fathers. Both could not have handled that situation any better but my guess is that both have some hidden scares but neither would ever reveal them to anyone.

The last time I saw Lucas was last football season when he was introduced to Ryan for the first time. That was a pretty cool day for me. Lucas was extremely gracious to Ryan that day and I appreciated his kindness.

I have some very fond memories of my friendship with Lucas and it helps me to understand how he got to where he is this morning which is tied for the lead in the United States Open.

I remember one very story that tells you a lot about how he got here today. I remember it vividly. It was a day when Dick, Lucas and I were at the practice tee. Lucas was hitting balls and Dick was just observing as he had done a million times before. In between shots Dick asked me a question about Clemson football and in my answer I asked him something about his playing days. Dick never answered. He was too intense watching Lucas.

I was not insulted because I saw what a lot of us have seen. It was a grandfather who was focused on the pride of his life…his grandson.

Lucas is lucky to have his high school sweetheart, the former Jennifer Smith, as his lovely bride. Jennifer is perfect for Lucas and his lifestyle. I could not ever imagine Lucas without Jennifer but I don’t think I would ever have to.

I actually caught Lucas at his biggest moment so far. It was supposed to be a private moment but we caught it by accident. We took a family picnic down by the rapids on the Reedy River near the big bridge in downtown Greenville. We were finishing up lunch and I said to Ryan, Stefanie and Kelly, “I think that is Lucas and Jennifer up on the bridge.” About two minutes later I said, “What is Lucas doing down on a knee? I think Lucas just asked Jennifer to marry him and judging from her actions, I think she said yes.”

There are a few things that really define who Lucas Glover is. His family is a big part of who he is. His wife, mom, step-dad, grandfather, grandmother, in-laws and extended family are very close to Lucas.

His friends are another big part of who he is as well. Lucas is a loyal friend and someone who can be counted on.

And Clemson is a big part of Lucas' life. Again, Lucas loves Clemson. He loved Clemson as a kid. He had a great experience at Clemson as a student-athlete. And today he is a still a big fan and a big contributor back to the program he loves.

The Clemson Golf Gathering came from Lucas and former Clemson All-American Charles Warren. I remember the days both were planning on doing something to help the golf program and it is interesting to see how the event has evolved into a huge fundraiser.

My favorite memory of Lucas was the day I introduced Ryan and Lucas. But one of my favorite personal stories about Lucas came on the golf course. Lucas and I played maybe 20 times but I have one great story. This was a day when Lucas and I played his uncle and another very good player. I love telling people that Lucas and I shot a 60 for our best ball. I usually wait to tell people that Lucas had EIGHT birdies.

In a world today where we too often see rich professional athletes making bad headlines it is refreshing to watch Lucas do so well. Fans get tired of prima donnas in professional sports. It is very refreshing to watch one of the most unassuming people I have ever met have this kind of attention.

So today, let’s all pull Lucas through and have one another great moment in Clemson sports history.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness.