I got a call from John Ruark today.  Golf Equipment Chronicles readers will recognize John as "The Pilot".  He earned the name.  He used to fly Intercontinental jets.

 

John has been driving from Marin to the Golf Lab for longer than either of us remembers - at least seven years.  He started out as a "product tester" - our way of getting hands-on testing results from a pretty average senior.  He built and tested more than 200 custom clubs over the years.

 

Actually, he's not all that average.  He's about 5'7" and weighs in under 150 with his jeans on.  That's the yogurt and flax seed kicking in.

 

We went to the PGA Merchandise show one year and roomed together.  We've played dozens of "mornings at the muni".  Over the years, John became a "student of the game".  About a year ago, he started to work with David Balbi - refining his technique.

 

He was an early AimPoint adopter.  One round this summer he had eleven putts in nine holes.  He was justifiably proud of that.  John worked to get better.

 

John is a member of the San Geronimo men's club.  Their club tournament was last weekend.  John went into the second day eight down and then the weather hit.  That's when his next discipline kicked in - the ability to play steady golf under any conditions.  Mental preparation.

 

He won the Senior Division.  That was on his "Bucket List" - not quite as high as shooting his age.  He's getting closer on that too, John broke 80 this year.

 

John is bringing his trophy to the Golf Lab.  He wants it to live where other plalyers can see it and we agree.  Winning trophies is great and looking at trophies isn't all that bad.   If you've got a trophy you'd like to put on display we've got a perfect home for it. 

 

By the way, John is 74.