NWO Golf Links March 2017

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saw the world in black and
white, but Billy went on to
write,
“Sometimes things are gray,
and there are no clear answers.
It’s been 18 months since you
took your own life, and I’ve
been thinking a lot about
the best way to honor you.
Initially, I thought that I would
write about your last few
weeks in an attempt to try and
understand what compelled
you to do what you did. But
a lot of people have already
tried that — the truth is that
I don’t know, and I probably
will never know.
When I think of you, those
backyard practice sessions or
our weekend rounds at the
local course are always what
come to mind. So much of our
relationship was predicated
on 14 clubs and a tiny white
ball. So much of our love was
shaped by what happened
over 18 holes. That’s what I
remember — and that’s how
I’ll remember you.”
Hurley chronicles several
different parts of life with his
father, mostly centered around
golf. His life took a major turn
last year, when he became
a PGA Tour champion by
winning the Quicken Loans
National and earned his first
trip to the Masters.
“I think you’d be proud of
everything that happened that day
and everything else that followed.
This coming April, I’ll be playing
in my first ever Masters. It’s
true, Dad. The Masters. I’ll be
thinking about you a lot that
week. I wish you could be
there like you always were
after my rounds, standing
behind the 18th green at
Augusta, embracing me with
an outstretched arm … and
the look.
At your funeral, I said that
your legacy isn’t that you took
your life, but that you brought
faith into our family. I know
one day I will see you again.
I know this is not the end. I
truly believe that.”
I miss you, Dad. I love you.
And one final thing I need you
to know: I forgive you.
Your legacy will live forever.
Thank you for everything.
– Billy
No one is positive what was
going on in his father’s life that
made him commit suicide,
but it made a huge impact on
Billy’s life. With the win at the
Quicken Loans National, and
with his own growing family,
he is finally able to move on
and write his own legacy.
The letter can be read in
its entirety at: .
NWO Golf Links