I was searching the internet for a good story, and found one on Golfweek. Jeff Rude's interview with Shane Bertsch hit home for me not only as a journalist, but as a golf fan as well. I appreciate his humility and candor.
I’m not sure when I’ve seen a golfer so dazed, if ever. When Shane Bertsch missed the cut at the Children’s Miracle Network, ultimately dropping from 124th to losing his card at 126, he walked off the course in what he deemed a state of shock that had lingered four days.
Let’s put it this way: Jean Van de Velde wasn’t this down at Carnoustie, circa 1999.
Bertsch, of course, arrived at Walt Disney World thinking he was fully exempt for the 2009 PGA Tour season. But he had misunderstood the Tour regulation on medical extensions; he thought the money he had earned this year applied to an exemption in ’09 instead of this year. He was stunned into reality upon learning the truth two days before the final tournament.
When he walked off the course after missing the cut, he was a stand-up guy. As depressed as he was, he stood and talked with me for about 30 minutes. He rarely made eye contact, he was so out of it. But he spoke his true feelings and tears dripped down his face. He was pleasant at a time that others might have screamed at anyone around.
Note to self: Remember the name Shane Bertsch.
