By: Miller Golliday
If you’re not committed to reading this for about 3-5 minutes, then stop reading now. But, if you can commit a few extra minutes of your day you are in for a treat worthy of October 31st…..In the world of golf, fans are always searching for who will be the next big thing. History shows us (really the 90’s have shown us), the meteoric rises of players such as John Daly and Tiger Woods are imperative to turning the non-chalet fan, into a diehard one.(Think this year’s Ryder Cup Fans, boy weren’t they great.) Enter,Smylie Kaufman.
Fans might have first been introduced to Kaufman due to his impressive showing in Augusta this past April. Kaufman turned heads as he wound up paired with the pride of Texas, Jordan Spieth,in the final round of the greatest golfing spectacle in the world. An unfortunate final round 81 bounced him from contention and a T-29th finish, but his play up until that point garnered him the world-wide recognition he so desperately coveted. But, his play isn’t the only thing he’s got going for him. Kaufman is a genius when it comes to self-promotion. There are 5 decisions Kaufman has made that make him an easy fan favorite and a guy to root for every week when you turn on golf. Let me introduce you to your next favorite player on tour.
1.When you see social injustice, do something about it.
Kaufman was one of the many vocal supporters of the infamous Cincinnati Zoo gorilla named Harambe. For those of you who don’t remember, Harambe was murdered while protecting a child who had fallen into his living space. Instead of realizing Harambe’s good-will intentions, the people working at the Cincinnati Zoo ended his life too soon. When Kaufman saw this injustice he stamped a friendly reminder to everyone out there on his wedge, publicly backing his support for the slain gorilla. I’ll tip my cap to that one. When Kaufman sees injustice, he doesn’t sit around and wait, instead he acts. #RIPHarambe.
2.Target sponsorships that show you’re a normal dude. No one likes a fake. (Russell Wilson)
Kaufman signed with Natural Light, brewed by Anheuser-Busch, in 2016. Since then, Kaufman has endorsed the fine natural pilsner on many occasions. Whether it is a spring break trip with the boys, or a tailgate in Baton Rouge before a game in Death Valley, Kaufman is always drinking natural light and doing so in abundance. We all could take a page out of his book. Just cause you’ve got it, doesn’t mean you need to spend it. So next time you’re at the gas station trying to decide what adult soda you want to enjoy, wise up and drink natural.Just look at those physiques,you don’t get a body like that from drinking Michelob Ultra’s on your mountain bike.Body by Natural, Swing by Smylie.
3.Never, ever forget where you came from.
Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint first opened in the cornucopia that is Harrisonburg, Virginia. Since the inaugural location opened up, customers can’t get enough and the restaurant has spread its reaches all the way to Smylie’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Kaufman’s burger, known as “The Smylie Burger”, consists of wagyu beef, mac-n-cheese, bbq sauce and bbq chips (see image above). When you’ve got a burger named after you, you know you’re doing something right. Smylie, like his burger, has just the right amount of sauce.
- “When you surround yourself with greatness, you too will be great.” – Confucius.
Shaquille O’Neal, a.k.a The Big Aristotle, Superman, The Shaqtus, The Big Shamrock, and simply Diesel is arguably the greatest big man to ever play in the Association. Two-time All-American, Two-time All-SEC, and 1991 Player of the year certainly solidifies the fact that he’s the best big man to ever come out of the bayou. It was reported Kaufman had such invaluable swing advice for Shaq that after their day of golf came to an end, Shaq had already shaved 5 strokes (and those are big strokes in case you haven’t seen his sex tape) off of his handicap. Shaq casts a large shadow, but none too large for the likes of Kaufman. Once he slips that green jacket on for the first time, he’ll be added to the LSU Sports Mt. Rushmore alongside the likes of Shaq, Pete Maravich, and the new headman for the football team Coach O.
5.Saturdays are ALWAYS for the boys.
Margaritas, hurricanes, cervezas, or whatever tropical drink you may prefer are always better when shared with #theboys and it looks like Kaufman realizes that. He truly is a jack of all trades. Plain and simple, he’s just a guy in his twenties living the dream. And all along the way he’s got his boys right by his side. Not just his famous golf buddies, but also his friends from back home (Follow @SmyliesArmy for more on them). Think Vincent Chase, and everybody loves Vinny Chase. What we all wouldn’t give to be his turtle.
Kaufman is no doubt headed for improved success as golf fans look ahead to the 2017 season. His nagging wrist injury from ’16 is long gone.Once he became famous he probably traded in pocket pool for old fashioned’s from foreign models. Expect him to compete in Hawaii when his pal Jordan seeks to defend his crown from 2016 in the season’s opening event. Smylie has set himself up for long lasting success on the course through his actions off of it. So what should us normal people take from this? Well, if you follow his lead by seeking out social injustices, surrounding yourself around the right people, never forgetting who helped you get to where you are, and pursuing some creative marketing endeavors, you too won’t have to worry about all the bullshit.What a guy, what a life.
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