Backspin September 2018 | Page 18

profile Jimmy Headrick, PGA Local Tour Director, US Kids Gulf Coast Year elected to PGA? 1979 When did you know As a junior golfer being around golf, weekends and summers for Frank you wanted to work working Gumpert and Bill Caldwell. This was not in the golf industry? like work to me, I enjoyed every phase. Who introduced you My father, started out as a caddy for him to the game of golf? Who are your current Frank Gumpert, Bill Caldwell, Frank and past mentors? Mackel, Hal Yost How old were you 9 years old when you started There are many, sure awards are certainly meaningful, yet one does stand playing golf? out. One of our junior golfers was autistic, and when he started he was shy did not talk. Over the course of the year, he would come by at the end of Best golf memory? and our year round weekly classes, without fail he would come by and shake my hand. He began to say thank you. When I left this facility, his mother sent me an email that said what golf has done more for him that any intervention had made an impact. She said she would never forget me. Upcoming events? 18 I am excited seeing the growth of junior golf in our area. The US Kids Golf Gulf Coast Tour’s success helped to bring on new tours, NW Florida, Central Mississippi and Acadiana. The Gulf Coast Tour plays 24 tournaments each year with the support of junior golf facilities across the Gulf Coast. I am honored to be associated since 2015 with what I feel is the most junior golf friendly golf facility in our region, Diamondhead. In 2016 and 2017 Diamondhead’s PGA Director of Golf Chris Altese was named PGA Youth Player Development Award and in 2018 Hoppy Smith, PGA Director of The Golf Academy of Diamondhead, also received the PGA Youth Player Development Award. Diamondhead being awarded three straight years makes me proud to be a part of a strong team with a membership that is 100% supportive. This coming year begins our 26th year of the BC Cup Foundation, in memory of my son Colin and Tim’ Hogan’s son Barry. In 25 years, we have awarded 73 college scholarships in excess of $300,000 and our BC Cup Junior Championship, part of the Kelly Gibson Foundation Junior Golf Tour, is held annually at Diamondhead. My coaching position at Holy Cross New Orleans is fun because I see a pipeline of 7th and 8th graders coming up that will make Holy Cross a team to reckon with for years to come.