On the fringes of professional golf, there are those who live out of a suitcase, chasing the dream to the exclusion of all else. There are others who get married, have children and settle into the life of a club pro, teasing themselves with occasional competition, and often wondering, “What if?”
One of the latter is Chip Sullivan, the head professional at Ashley Plantation in Roanoke. Sunday in Sunriver, Ore., when Sullivan won the PGA Professional National Championship, the emotional scene on the 18th green at Crosswater Golf Club was a vivid reminder of the life of a club pro.
First to greet Sullivan after his 6-under-par, four-stroke win were son Colby and daughters Kalley and Camryn, followed by wife Kari. Sullivan, 42, had captured the biggest paycheck of his career, $75,000, and a tournament that carries life-changing possibilities.
In addition to qualifying for the PGA in August, Sullivan receives exemptions to six tour events, including three of his choosing.
“I want to play them early in the year (2008),” said Sullivan. “If I do well, it can snow ball into something bigger.”
Sullivan knows what it takes. He played on the PGA Tour in 1997, making the cut in 11 of 27 events and winning $41,019, a far cry from the $180,000 he needed to retain his tour card.
“I was a deer in the headlights,” said Sullivan. “I was more interested in shaking hands with Freddie Couples and getting his autograph than actually competing with him.”
A year later, Sullivan had a decision — play full-time on the Nike Tour or take a job at Ashley Plantation.
“We had just had our first child. It really wasn’t much of a decision,” said the Louisiana native. “I took the job and didn’t play one event that year. I haven’t looked back.”
SULLIVAN STUFF
» Sullivan played in the 2004 PGA at Whistling Straits. His 31st place finish remains the best by a PGA club pro since 1969.
» Sullivan has won the Maryland Open three of the last five years.
» With his win Sunday, Sullivan also earned a berth in the 2007 PGA Cup, a Ryder Cup-style event, which pits 10 club pros from America vs. 10 from Ireland and Great Britain.
