What Scottie Scheffler is teaching the world at the start of the biggest PGA tournament of the year
The Hogan Bridge leads to hole 12 at Augusta National.
Ah, the moment many of us have been waiting for since last April is finally here.
The Azeala’s. The Pimento Cheese sandwiches, Amen corner, and the most prestigious trophy in the world of Golf. The Masters is upon us.
If you’re like me and have enjoyed sports all of your life, you probably already know how big of a deal the Masters Tournament is. Although I personally have chased a little white ball since I was 14, it has only been the last 2.5 years that I have really enjoyed the sport of golf. I, like many, still struggle to shoot sub 90 (70/72 is the goal) 98% of the time and I’ve spent the last 14 years trying each year to get a ticket to attend the breathtaking Augusta National… and so far have received 0 tickets (Masters Ticket officials, if you happen upon this blog, can I get some help?).
It’s the Super Bowl of golf, The Stanley Cup of April’s rolling hills. There simply is no other tournament quite like the Masters each year, and the winner of the Masters gets a Green Jacket, lifetime privileges to play Augusta along with a locker, and to go down in history forever as one of the greatest golfers the world has ever known. Their name will be next to guys like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer (the golfer also made famous for his delicious Sweet Tea/Lemonade combo), and Ben Hogan.
One of the past champions (and a favorite to win again this year) is Scottie Scheffler. In addition to being the #1 golfer for a large portion of the past few years Scottie has been outspoken about his faith in Christ. His platform in the PGA has allowed him to share his faith in an impactful way over the last few years and today’s news is another step and example for all of us (especially men) to remind ourselves of what is truly important — even if it costs you a chance at making history.
Scottie and his wife, Meredith, are expecting their first child at any time. As the world turns its attention towards the Masters Tournament, a reporter asked him what would happen if she goes into labor while he’s on the course. His response was simple and unequivocal:
“I’ll be out of here! I think first child wins over quite a… over many things in my life,” he replied.
The reporter, obviously blown away by his response, furthered his question by painting a plausible moment in the future that many of us would struggle to answer – what would Scottie do if he got the news on Saturday night while leading the field in the most prestigious tournament in the world? His response was the same… “If she calls me while I’m on the 17th, then I better go home.”
You read that right. In the moment of being just 1 hole away from wrapping up the tournament and winning millions of dollars; adding to his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of this generation; being a mere 15 minutes away from another green jacket… Scottie told the world that none of those things were important enough to not walk off the course right then and there and withdraw, giving up an easy win in the hardest tournament of the year…giving up a dream that thousands of players have every year… simply because some things are more important.
What can we learn from something like this? Sure, you may say to yourself “he’s got enough money…he’s already won a jacket before…he’s already accomplished so much…” but the reality is for a man like Scheffler he recognizes what so many of us may not:
His calling as a husband and father is not only the greatest calling he has, and even if it costs him a Masters jacket, it doesn’t come close to being the man God has called him to be for his wife and family, and that is all there is to it.
What can we learn from this? Meredith is still a few weeks out from the due date, but if you’ve had children you know nothing is exact. She’s so close to the date that she couldn’t travel to this years tournament, so she’s at home watching from Texas. I’ve got some ideas for us to consider as followers of Jesus and husbands (and wives):
- Following Jesus well means nothing this world can give us is more valuable than Him: Our faith is what reminds us that every true joy and the value of who we are as people begins with our own need to die-to-self daily and find our true identity not in what we do but rather who Jesus is (Galatians 2:20).
- There is no greater thing in our earthly lives than to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of our family and those we love: As we read in Ephesians 5 – that we (as husbands) would “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…even to the point of death;” and that there is nothing on this earth that should be a priority over her and the family given to us.
- Work is work, Jesus is life: We have been sold a false bill of goods that our work is what brings us value. Can I tell you something about your job? If you quit, leave, get sick, or die tomorrow, you will be grieved– but you will also be replaced. Understanding that gives us freedom to not find our lives purely in what we do and instead find identity in who Jesus says we are. Your family only has one you! Your children (if you have any) only have 1 mom or 1 dad, and they are not meant to be sacrificed on the altar of work (and I am saying this to myself as a Pastor called to ministry as well!).
- The example we set on what matters is not only demonstrated by ability, but is celebrated by our actions: You can win every trophy, get every raise, and ascend to the highest level of achievement, but if your life is wrapped up in your accomplishment professionally rather than who you are as a spouse or parent, you’ve already missed the most important thing.
People of the cross, let us learn from Scottie Scheffler’s comments today — to a world chasing celebrity and accomplishment, money and comfort, praise and honor — when we levy those things against the freedom that came from God descending to us, born of a virgin, defeating sin and righteously resurrecting to bring us life — nothing is more valuable than the actions of a heart redeemed by that victory… even if it means walking off of 17 on a Sunday.
It may not make sense to those taught to chase trophies, but for Scottie and Meredith Scheffler, there’s really no choice at all.
Even if its on a Sunday in Augusta with your name at the top of the leaderboard.
Sean Gajda is the Lead Pastor at Trailside Church in Travelers Rest, SC. In addition to his wonderful wife of 16 years, Lane, they have 3 children and reside in Travelers Rest. He’s a 14 handicap on the course and describes himself as an NFL athlete trapped in a 40 year old body. To contact him, you can email Sean@trailside.church.