Golf Profiles: Phil Bundy
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 5:18AM Like most of us, Phil Bundy caught the bug to play golf at an early age. He started playing golf at age 9, soon
Phil Bundy, on a quest to play on the PGA Tour becoming a junior golf champion and eventually winning the Maryland State High School Championship in 1984 by a record 10 strokes. He attended Wake Forest University and played golf alongside eventual PGA Tour pros Len Mattiace and Billy Andrade. After college, Phil chose to start a golf marketing and management business, and has continued to be a part of the golf industry for the past 17 years.
But throughout it all, Phil has continued to have a dream -- and now he has decided to fulfill that dream -- of playing professional golf on the PGA Tour. So he sat down, assembled his "Dream Team", including mentor Fred Funk and swing coach Jim McLean, and set out to make his dream a reality. I had a chance to correspond with Phil, and ask him a few questions about his quest to play golf at the highest level:
Jamie: I guess the first thing I wanted to ask is, what has made you decide to make this move at this stage of your life/career?
Phil: On my 40th birthday, I took my toddler Charlie to the golf course. Watching his joy running across the fairway inspired me to embark on my quest. For me, my effort is not about winning major championships but about learning the answer to the question, “Can I make it on the Tour?” I also hope that my journey will always encourage Charlie to pursue his own dreams.
Phil with his son, CharlieJamie: Obviously I'm sure you sat down with your family when you were making this decision; what were the reactions from your wife, Donna and your son, Charlie?
Phil: From the initial decision, Donna has supported the idea. Lucky for me, she is wonderful and has always supported my ideas and goals. I think she also sees my quest as a great example for our son. At this age, Charlie just loves golf and spending time with me. After I won my first mini-tour event, Charlie screamed, “Daddy won! Daddy won!”
Jamie: Are you looking toward avenues such as the Nationwide Tour, mini tours, or even "one shots" like Big Break, to help you in your quest, or is it Q-School all the way for you?
Phil: I have been playing on mini-tours, and I would definitely consider the Big Break on the Golf Channel, which I absolutely love! Ultimately, I hope to focus my time and resources on open qualifiers on the PGA Tour as well as Q-school.
Jamie: So what does it take to pursue this dream? Can you give us an idea of your typical day?
Phil: After dropping Charlie off at Kindergarten, I work-out and go for a run or bike ride. Later, I usually stop at a coffee shop to eat and catch up on email, blogging, and social networking. In the afternoon, I practice and play.
Jamie: Other than your mentor, Fred Funk, do you have any regular contact with other Tour players, and are they able to give you advice or insight on life on Tour?
Phil: I do have a good network of players on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour who I can contact for advice. Also, the Wake Forest alumni are like an amazing golf fraternity.
Jamie: Finally, in terms of "success", what is your definition of success? Obviously the ultimate dream is a long and successful career on Tour, but in the sense of, "I've accomplished this goal, now it's time for the next step", is it making a cut, getting your card, a win? Any idea when you might feel that sense of accomplishment?
Phil: The PGA Tour uses the motto, “These guys are good,” and my eyes are wide open. In many ways, I think I have already been successful, but I am still working hard at getting inside the ropes on the PGA Tour. My ultimate success is being a good example for Charlie.
I urge everyone out there to go check out Phil's site if you haven't already, or just give him a shout out and some encouragement on his Twitter feed, @PhilBundy. He's really an inspiration to anyone and everyone who ever wanted to follow a dream, be it on the golf course or any aspect of our lives.
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