Tears Of A Champion

April 16, 2014 | By Chuck

This past April just off the 18th green and after the final putt was holed at Augusta National in Augusta, Ga. there was a tear shed by the champion. You need to know that Augusta National doesn't play host to just another professional golf tournament. The professional golf tournament played at Augusta National is the Masters and one of the most prestigious golf tournaments of the year. With that in mind you might be thinking that every champion crowned there would succumb to his emotions and shed a few tears. That may be true but this year was different. It was Phil Mickelson who was crowned the 2010 Masters champion and shed that most memorable tear. The context of that shed tear is what tells the real story behind the story. You see, Phil is a family man with a wife and children who seem to be most important to him. His wife, Amy, had been battling cancer for a while and therefore unable to make the trip, as she usually does, to the Masters. Apparently at some point on that Sunday and final day of the 2010 Masters Amy made arrangements to fly to Georgia to surprise Phil. So, after sinking his final putt and walking off the 18th green the 2010 Masters champion a surprised Phil spotted his number one fan, his wife Amy. There was a long embrace and a tear that made its way down the cheek of the champion. Some of you may be thinking, what's the big deal? To me, it was huge! Phil's wife, who remember is sick with cancer, flies from California to Augusta, Georgia to be there to surprise and celebrate with her husband his major victory. There may be some who disagree with me on this but I don't believe that infamous tear had anything to do with his Masters victory. To me, that tear showed that his heart is really with his wife. After all, he knew she didn't feel well and that it must've taken a lot out of her physically to make it there that afternoon. That tear screamed, I love my wife and I'm so glad I have her with me as my wife and oh yeah, the Masters win is nice too. I will never forget that scene behind the 18th green at Augusta that Sunday in April. You know, most of the world recognizes Phil Mickelson as a champion professional golfer but not me, at least not anymore. Oh, I know he's a golfer and a very good one at that but he's also a lot more than that. That tear taught this preacher that Phil Mickelson loves his wife more than anything else in the world including golf and a Masters championship. He's a true role model who genuinely loves his wife and kids and puts them where they belong as his top priority in life. Remember what Paul wrote: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."(Eph.5:25) Men, no matter what you do or accomplish, your most prized gift, greatest accomplishment and most important asset in this life is your wife and the children God blessed you both with. Remember, a true champion loves his wife and family. Chuck Ball