This past week the PGA Web.com tour stopped in Raleigh, North Carolina for the Rex Open. My wife and I had the privilege of hosting Byron Meth and his wife and caddie Valentina at our home for the week.
It was an amazing experience.
Over the course of the week, we had the opportunity to get a close-up view of what life on the tour is really like. Far from the glamour many associate with the dream job of playing golf for a living, for up and coming professionals such as Byron and Valentina, life on the tour is a grind. Valentina gave up her career (and steady income) in order to support Byron’s goal of becoming a member of the PGA tour.
We could not help but be impressed with how the Meths’ approach the realities of life on the tour. Byron and Valentina have a dream, a plan, and an attitude that screams success. They know the amount of work and commitment it is going to take to get to the next level. They recognize that money is going to be tight for a while, and have modified their lifestyles accordingly. They are able to reduce their expenses by driving rather than flying, actively seek opportunities to stay with families who are willing to open their homes rather than sleeping in hotels, cook for themselves rather than eating out, secure coveted sponsors, and still save for retirement.
When you are faced with financial uncertainty, are you doing everything you can to face the present and prepare for your future? Take a lesson from Byron and Valentina, do what you can within your control, expect the best, prepare for the worst, and go for it!