CHAMPIONS PERSEVERE

"Perseverance must finish its work…so that you may be mature." (James 1:4 NIV)

I walked into the Bedford Room. My wife Lorraine and granddaughter Rachel had already arrived, seated by Ben and Heather Crane. A circle of 35 pros, wives and family members had gathered for the weekly Bible study on the PGA Tour at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains, New York.

I hurried across the room and sat down. Bart and Cathy Bryant came moments later and sat by me. J.B. Holmes and Lee Janzen, seated next to each other, were on my right.

Our silver-haired leader was Larry Moody.

His subject: PERSEVERANCE.

His example: Abraham.

Larry noted that after God had promised Abraham a family numbering as "sands of the sea," he lived for 70 years without a son.

"Why is Abraham remembered?" Larry asked.

 "Faith," someone said.

"Abraham's name means 'father of many,'" Larry said. "He probably heard a few of his friends say, 'Abraham, father of many, where are your children?' But he persevered."

Recalling the past 26 U. S. Opens, during which time he has led the Tour study, Larry said, "More than any other tournament, the U. S. Open requires perseverance."

Boy, is that right, I thought.

Larry must have known what I was thinking. "You have any thoughts, Jim?" he asked.

"A million," I shot back, "when you speak about the Open and perseverance."

"Let me share three brief stories.

"First, 1969. Orville Moody had been working on 1 Thessalonians 5:18: 'In everything give thanks…,' when he pulled his drive into the trees on the fourteenth hole of the final round. He said a prayer of thanksgiving, chipped out, took bogey and parred in. Four other pros in contention faltered. Orville won by a shot.

"Second, 1996. Steve Jones wasn't sure he had what it took to win after an accident sidelined him for over two years. But he belted his drive off over the right bunker on the 72^nd hole, knocked a 7-iron on the green, and two-putted to win.

"Third, 1998. Lee Janzen was four shots behind when his ball hung in a tree at the Olympic Club on the last round. He was looking at a 6- or 7-shot deficit when the ball fell from the tree. The good break helped him find a way to come back and win his second Open.

"All three men knew well the meaning of perseverance."

On Sunday we witnessed the grinding conclusion of the U. S. Open at Winged Foot CC. With five holes to play, five players were within a shot of each other--Montgomerie, Furyk, Harrington, Ogilvy and Mickelson. "Five super tough holes," commentator Johnny Miller added.

Ogilvy, the youngest, outlasted the veterans in what was one of the toughest tests of perseverance in

U.S. Open history.

Father, grant me Your energy to persevere in that which is before me. In Jesus' name, I pray.

--

Jim Hiskey

June 20, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

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