Posted on 04/16/2010 8:40:23 PM PDT by FlJoePa
Not all star golfers are like Tiger Woods.
Take Jupiter resident Ernie Els, for example.
Els, 40, who finished a disappointing 18th Sunday at The Masters, was relaxing with a couple friends at the Square Grouper in Jupiter Monday afternoon when he noticed three young men sporting crew cuts and suffering from obvious disabilities getting off a fishing charter.
Josh Schichtl, a veteran of three tours in Iraq who suffered severe facial injuries in a road-side bombing, picks up the story from there.
“We’re walking through this outdoors bar (the Grouper) to catch the van to the hotel and this man (one of the dudes sitting with Els) comes up to us and says Ernie Els would like to say ‘hi,’” Schichtl told Page2Live. “Now, I’m a big golfing fan and I saw him on TV at The Masters, so I never expected anything like that. You know, I’m from Arkansas.
“So we went to the bar, and sure enough, there was Ernie Els. It was amazing. He asked each of us about our experiences in Iraq and shared his experience in the South African army. We ended up sitting down and shot the breeze with him for more than an hour. He kept buying rounds of beer. We had a great talk. He made us feel good.”
For more about Schichtl, look below or click Schichtl, 27, and his two buddies, including a Marine who lost a leg in Iraq, and their families were brought to Florida for an all-expenses-paid five-day vacation, courtesy of the Jupiter non-profit A Wounded Warrior’s Second Chance.
Schichtl, who’s married and has two children, lost an eye, facial bones and most of his teeth in a double road-side bombing in 2007. He has been undergoing treatment, including eight surgeries, and rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for more than two years.
The fishing, during which he got to fight a shark, and the chance meeting with Els will be in his imaginary highlights reel of his vacation.
“I know Ernie’s South African, but he is very patriotic about America,” Schichtl said.
The setting for this meeting is about the best tiki bar in the world. The Square Grouper (look up the meaning of the term "square grouper") is just an awesome spot in an awesome location. Nice job Ernie.
>>“I know Ernie’s South African, but he is very patriotic about America,” Schichtl said.
**
I was going to point that out being a golf fanatic. Throughout the years, Els was very consistent in answering media questions about Tiger, and he obliges them..even though it might irritate the average golfer but Els answers amicably and in a polite manner.
I’ve been to his house in the Bears Club to discuss some things with him a couple of times. His guest house is basically a game room with lots of teaching/training stuff (mostly putting) and a LOT of video games and pinball machines. We spent 1/2 hour discussing old Gottlieb pinball machines (I have two). He has an autistic child and the whole “compound” is just a fun place. I’ve met a lot of a**holes in this business. He and Trevor are both 180 degrees from what we’ve been exposed to the past few months.
Even in grade school when my Dad was golfing, I still remember him winning the US Open, and have followed him ever since. Thanks for the info on Immelman.
The Big Easy has a beautiful swing and effortless power.
I always have, and always will, love Ernie Els, now even more so. What a human being! A great guy.
Trevor and Carminita are tops. Most humble, gentlemanly, honest individual on tour. Root for him. He has a great facebook and twitter fanbase where he replies to his fans.
He can make it look so easy at times. Shows you how much talent is out there that he only wins as often as he does.
Phil was pretty stellar this past week. When Phil is really on - he is tough to beat.
Phil was more than stellar. The shot he hit on 13 was maybe the greatest shot I’ve ever seen. I’m not a fan of the “New Augusta National”, but to throw 67 at it with no bogies on a Sunday is pretty spectacular.
I was pulling for the African to win the Masters. It’s good to see him having a good year.
I used to go snorkeling in the park on the Jupiter Inlet. It is a very nice spot. The water was incredibly clear.
What a contrast to that self-absorbed POS Tiger.
That was my thought the moment I read the article.
BETHESDA, Md. - Tiger Woods is in Bethesda Wednesday morning at a golf event paying tribute to wounded war veterans.
Among the crowd of spectators the AT&T National Pro-Am being held at the Congressional Country Club this week are dozens of VIPs: for the third year, the event will bring golf's big names together with big American heroes.
Tiger Woods, who will be attending the Bethesda event for the third time, said, "They do truly put their lives on the line and a lot of them have gotten hurt. It's the nature of war, it's what happens. And that is the grim reality of it when you see one of the wounded warriors."
Thats a press release. Watch what people do WITHOUT calling attention to their own deeds. Those are the ones you want to count on.
It was amazing with no bogies and a 67 on Sunday. I remember he shot a 30 on the front nine on Sunday last year. Other great Sundays last week were Kim and Watney’s 65. Watney is a good kid.
My jaw dropped on the shot on 13. Phil’s win or bust approach make him so exciting to watch. Around the tree and over Ray’s creek with the pin tucked close to the creek and he puts it within a few feet. It was magic.
Lee Westwood is a good guy put after seeing that you pretty much know Phil was going to win. The Phil haters then said - “well he missed the putt for eagle.” An amazing shot.
I hear you about the News Augusta. I enjoyed watching Phil at Bethpage Black last year because the NY fans were great. Phil was close but it just wasn’t his day.
Talk about a golfer who has played with pain. I’m sure he can appreciate what these fine young men have gone thru.
altho buying guys on crutches and in wheelchairs multiple rounds of beers is not without risk.. but the gesture is genuine nonetheless. 8-]
I’d like to see him have a run like VJ had and have him give Tiger a good run.
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