Not all athletes are bad guys
Not all athletes are bad guys.
A couple of weeks ago, young Carpentersville golf fan Peyton Brousseau received an unforgettable gift from one of the Professional Golfers Association's top players - Bubba Watson. Forget the signed golf ball, or a photo opportunity. Watson gave Peyton a junior set of left-handed PING clubs - a year after the pair met.
Last January, Peyton, 7, and his parents, Shari and Peter, traveled to La Quinta, Calif. to visit Peyton's grandmother, Pauline, who lives in a golf-course community. During the family visit, the golf course played host to the annual Bob Hope Classic, which draws the world's top golfers to the Californian desert.
One afternoon, Peyton wandered over to watch Watson during a practice round. The pair struck up a conversation and Peyton scored a signed golf ball. The next day, Peyton and his parents followed Watson during his round and chatted on and off. Watson learned Peyton was a lefty just like him. The two had a photo taken together, which they enlarged and sent to Watson asking if he would sign it.
Watson graciously obliged.
A few months later, Peyton saw Watson at Cog Hill in Lemont. Watson remembered Peyton and again verified that Peyton was left-handed. Watson said he would have a driver made for Peyton, and asked if Peyton would be back for the 2010 Bob Hope tournament and Peyton said he was planning on it.
The Brousseau family had tried to plan a trip to California this year, but unfortunately couldn't fit the trip into their schedule. Peyton, who name his puppy Bubba, was disappointed.
Bubba made it back to California and made good on his promise. He made good, plus more, actually.
One afternoon during the 2010 Bob Hope Classic, there was a knock on Pauline's - Peyton's grandmother - back door. Although she didn't recognize the caddie or Watson sitting in the cart, she knew who it was once she realized what the man was holding in his hands. Watson was delivering a set of clubs for Peyton.
Now, Peyton can't wait for the weather to warm up so he and his father can try out the clubs and hit it big just like Bubba Watson.
Watch the birdie: For those tired of being cooped up inside hiding from the freezing temperatures, it's time again to pull on the long underwear, pile on those heavy layers grab your binoculars.
The Second Annual Dundee Township Great Backyard Bird Watch is just around the corner, from 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Participants will learn to identify different birds and find out the importance of bird counting. Be prepared for about an hourlong hike around the Library Springs loop behind the Dundee Township Public Library in East Dundee. The event will be canceled if there are extreme weather conditions. For more information go to dundeetownship.org. The event is free and open to the public.