Changing careers is typically a challenging proposition. Do it at age 50 and your family might want your head examined. But then to choose the PGA TOUR s Champions Tour as your next profession, well . . . now inkblots and a shrink s couch are definitely in play!
Inside, Outside, and On the Ropes is a new book by Keith Gockenbach, a retired chemical executive, who shares his experiences, and more importantly, his insights as he chases his dream to be a player on professional golf s premier stage. This is not a behind the scenes retrospective but rather an inside the ropes . . . between the ears narrative of what it s like to be out there on all different levels from competitive shot-by-shot descriptions, to handling the pressure of scoreboard watching at Q-School Finals, to juggling travel plans between Monday qualifiers and mini-tours . . . and much more.<P.Fred Funk, 6-time winner on The Champions Tour and 8-time winner on the regular PGA TOUR, writes in the book s Foreword: Keith Gockenbach has a dream; a dream of making the Champions Tour, golf s highest level for the 50-and-over crowd. Follow Keith s journey to capture his dream - the ups and downs that are inevitable on the road to living his fantasy. Life lessons are learned and success re-measured . . .
Another veteran on The PGA TOUR (4-time winner), and current television Golf Analyst for ESPN &TNT, Billy Kratzert had this to say: An excellent job of capturing all that s required to be successful on the Champions Tour . . . a huge commitment with a small window for success. It s a wonderful read for those who dream to be part of the world of professional golf.
Anders Forsbrand, a newcomer on the European Senior Tour, 6-time winner on the European Tour and 2004 Ryder Cup Vice Captain gave this perspective: Keith s story shows the importance of passion, patience and perseverance, not just for professional golfers but for anyone shooting for something that really matters to them.
This new book is for all golfers who wonder what it would be like to have the game, the goals, and the guts to try and make it on The PGA TOUR s Champions Tour. The competitive experiences inside the ropes are captivating, and the life lessons are valuable outside the ropes; both will appeal to golfers of all ages.
Keith grew up playing golf in Robinson, Illinois, where he was Club Champion at age 16 and reached the Illinois State High School Finals three times. The PGA Tour visited town for the Robinson Open while Keith was in high school, giving him the opportunity to caddy for Bob Goalby and other pros. Goalby shot a course record 62 in Keith s first caddy round for the 1968 Masters Champion, and went on to win the 1969 Robinson Open with a first-hole playoff birdie.
Although he was a scratch golfer from age 16, Keith put serious golf on the back burner for 27 years as he enjoyed a successful career in the chemical industry. At age 48, the itch to play competitive golf became overwhelming, and Keith retired in 2004 to chase his dream of earning membership on the Champions Tour.
Inside, Outside, and On the Ropes details Keith s five-year quest. Six Champions Tour Q-Schools, appearances in the 2006 U.S. Senior Open at Prairie Dunes and the 2007 Senior Open at Muirfield, and dozens of Monday Qualifiers and Mini-Tour events, provide elements of the storyline for Keith s quest. The tournament backdrop, the ups and downs of competitive golf, the obstacles inherent in the Champions Tour and the mini-tours, and the daily lessons provided by life s greatest game-together these ingredients blend together, yielding an interesting story seasoned with just the right touch of serious insight.
