Golf pro Graham DeLaet is making the world of golf stand up and take notice with his performance on multiple tours in recent years. Having only turned pro in 2006, the Canadian native (born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1982) has shown up on the leader boards of many tournaments, including a number of significant outings:
- RBC Heritage
- PGA Championship
- Sanderson Farms Championship
- CareerBuilder
- Farmers
- Safeway Open
- Phoenix Open
Graham currently ranks 76th in the FedEx Cup ratings, with 6 top 10 finishes in 2017, and official winnings amounting to over $1.6 million.
Although back troubles that have plagued him for years have sidelined him recently, he is experiencing positive results from medical procedures and rehabilitation that hopefully will result in his return to action on the links in the very near future.
Highlights and Biography
Born in Canada, Graham migrated to the US and attended Boise State University, winning 10 tournaments in college play. He has participated in numerous tours including the Canadian Tour, Sunshine Tour, and his current play on the PGA Tour. DeLaet’s accomplishments include multiple amateur and professional tournament wins, and many more tournaments where he placed high in the standings, resulting in a respectable position in the FedEx Cup standings, as well as a significant share of the FedEx Cup purse. His career earnings are already above the $8.4 million mark.
DeLaet also represented Canada in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, finishing in 20th place.
No stranger to a fuzzy face, Graham is well-known for sporting a full beard, even during tournament play. As a Canadian, he comes by wearing a beard naturally, as noted on his web site. “A month of growth is when I consider a beard to have just started. At about three months it starts to become a real beard.”
He resides in Boise, ID today, with his wife Ruby.
Graham DeLaet – Paying it Forward
DeLaet is among the many golf professionals who give back to the community. Since founding the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation in 2014, the couple has raised in excess of $1 million for charitable causes including:
- Golf Saskatchewan
- Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation
- Graham Slam annual charity event to promote children’s health and wellness, as well as continuing development of Canada’s junior golf programs.
Graham DeLaet golfer is no stranger to alternative businesses. Working in partnership with Vancouver’s Bomber Brewing, he has developed a new craft beer named Prairie Baard. This is a beer brewed with the highest-quality ingredients for a smooth premium beer that’s easy to drink and enjoy.
Golf Pros Have Nerves Too
Whether you’re Graham DeLaet or a total amateur just out to have a good time, golf can be an intimidating game, generating a case of nerves and general golf anxiety. If you’ve experienced that phenomenon, you’re definitely not alone.
There are ways to combat golf anxiety though. Pros have learned to use nerves to their advantage, turning anxiety into a focus on the game and applying four guiding principles:
- Take it slow and easy – taking deep breaths and slowing down goes a long way toward soothing nerves on the course. This can allow you time to think about your objectives, focus on the shot at hand, and even slow your heart rate. Instead of being intimidated by that next stroke, take a little extra time to walk to where your ball lies, and think a little more clearly about your approach.
- Go with the flow – forget the term ‘nervous’, and think of yourself as being ‘anxious’. Convincing yourself that you really just want to perform well will help translate your nerves into a challenge, which alters your mindset into doing your best.
- See yourself as a winner – golf is an extremely mental game. Visualize your shot before you make it, and see a positive result coming. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a scratch golfer – visualization doesn’t require skill. Picturing success will lead you to confidence and better execution of that next shot.
- One shot at a time – don’t worry about your score. Think about the shot at hand, and your fundamentals that will make it successful. Considering each stroke on its own as part of your game will result in a more productive round.
Don’t let anxiety get the better of you. Transforming nerves into improved performance works for the pros, and it can work for you.
Trouble at ESPN?
Noted ESPN sports anchor John Buccigross is battling accusations levied by a former ESPN worker, alleging sexual harassment, false rumors of sexual relationships, and unwanted sexual advances. ESPN vehemently denies all allegations, and vows to fight the accuser in court, meanwhile releasing the text messages passed between the accuser and Buccigross to the media.
For the latest updates on this unfolding story, fans can follow John Buccigross on twitter.
