Leaving home was the biggest shot I’d ever take.

Thrilling? Absolutely.

Terrifying? Even more so.

But deep down, I knew: If I stayed comfortable, I’d stay small.

And that just wasn’t the story I wanted to tell.

Today, as I look back on that leap—from Bermuda’s breezy fairways to Arizona’s endless desert horizons—I’m grateful for the game, the people, and the wild adventure that golf gave me.

This post isn’t just a look back.

It’s a thank you to Bermuda (with 10 fun facts), 10 hard-won lessons from the road, and a glimpse at the next chapter — one I’d love for you to be part of.

10 Fun Facts About Bermuda Golf That Shaped My Roots:

1. Golf runs deep: Bermuda’s golf history dates back to the 1920s, and it’s not just a fun fact—it’s a family tradition back home.

2. Mid Ocean Club: Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, it’s consistently ranked in the Top 100—and it’s where I first realized golf could be a lifetime passport.

3. Turtle Hill: Home of the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship. Fun fact: I once missed qualifying by one shot, but it still stings.

4. Bermuda Amateur Championship: Started in the roaring ’20s. I was proud to add my name to that list in 2010—one of my proudest early wins.

5. Legends’ Playground: Arnie and Jack once lit up Bermuda’s greens. Growing up, those stories made them larger than life.

6. Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf: Tony Lema vs Peter Alliss? Bermuda was the stage. Watching that rerun growing up made me dream in Technicolor.

7. Culture Meets Competition: Every fairway in Bermuda feels like history and vacation collided.

8. Small Island, Big Dreams: Despite being 21 square miles, Bermuda sends talent all over the globe. Living proof you don’t need a big stage to make big moves.

9. The Bermuda Championship: PGA Tour event in my backyard—talk about fuel for a kid’s dreams.

10. Royal Tee Times: Even the Duke of Windsor teed it up here. Bermuda’s courses aren’t just beautiful, they’re a portal to history.

Growing up on that small island, I learned that golf was never just about scorecards—it was about courage, community, and carving one's path.

Moving to Arizona would test all of that.

Here’s what I learned once the passport stamps piled up and the fairways changed.

10 Lessons the Journey (and Golf) Taught Me:

1. Embrace Change.

   I didn't know a soul when I stepped off that plane in Arizona. It felt like standing on the first tee with no warmup, but I found my rhythm because I kept swinging.

2. Perseverance Pays.

   I lost tournaments I should’ve won. I missed cuts that hurt. But those failures built more resilience than any trophy ever could.

3. Mentors Matter.

   A few good people opened doors I didn’t even know existed. I’ll never forget the coach who told me, “You don’t need perfect swings. You need perfect effort.”

4. Adaptability is a Superpower.

   You think Bermuda’s ocean breezes are tricky? Try an Arizona crosswind in July. New climates taught me to evolve fast—or get left behind.

5. Passion Fuels Purpose.

   I chased golf hard because I loved it. That love pushed me through early-morning practices, bad rounds, and moments when quitting would’ve been easier.

6. Community is Everything.

   The best rounds aren’t the ones you score low—they’re the ones you spend with people who get it. Arizona’s golf family made it feel like home.

7. Stay Humble.

   Remember that someone else grins just as hard, no matter how high you climb. Stay curious. Stay coachable.

8. Give Back.

   Mentoring juniors, hosting clinics, sharing tips—I get more joy helping others chase their dreams than chasing another low round myself.

9. Fall in Love with the Journey.

   If you only chase trophies, you’ll miss the magic: the road trips, the practice grinds, the late-night laughs.

10. Dream Big Anyway.

    A boy with a golf bag and big dreams left Bermuda. A man with bigger dreams is just getting started.

The Cactus Club: Where the Next Chapter Begins

Golf gave me everything.

Now, it’s time to build something for the next generation of dreamers, grinders, and weekend warriors who love this game the same way I do.

The Cactus Club isn’t just another newsletter.

It’s a front-row seat to exclusive stories, events, local insider tips, and a community rooted in grit, gratitude, and some Bermuda magic.

If you think golf is bigger than the scorecard, you can subscribe.

This is just the beginning — and I’d love for you to be part of it.

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