AJGA

Five years ago, T.J. Murphy took a day off from Emory and came over to watch amateur players at The Dogwood. A random decision to enjoy some great summer weather became a life-changing event for his family. Sean, the second of the Murphy teens, joined his father on the links that day and in his normal exuberant spirit, offered to caddy free for Patton Kizzire, an Auburn University golfer playing in a group including Tim Mickelson, Phil’s brother. Patton kindly told TJ afterwards that his new “bud” Sean was the “best 11-year-old caddy I ever had.”

While inside the ropes Sean watched how carefully Patton and Tim adhered to the rules and the spirit of competition. He spent as much time at The Dogwood as possible, even participating in the Long Drive Contest in his Druid Hill’s Thunder baseball uniform, fresh from a game.

Fast forward two years, and the Murphy family decides to host a player for the week in their home. Brianna, the oldest Murphy teen, was working as a camp counselor at High Harbour, so Russell Henley was given the opportunity to sleep in Bri’s hot-pink teen suite. Every morning, as Russell’s caddy for The Dogwood, Sean would ride over to the club with Russell and hang out with him and the other UGA players. In the evenings, it was Netflix and batches of Kathy’s chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven.

Sean’s passion for golf grew. He realized that he could leverage his baseball skills for hitting longer drives on demanding holes, employing tips from Russell. He learned that even for highly skilled players like Patton and Russell, that golf is just a game, to honor and to enjoy, no matter what level you play it. He improved and when the time came to try out for his first golf team, at Marist, he was ready and earned a spot.

Sean’s friendships with Patton and Russell began at The Dogwood and have all the qualities needed to last a lifetime. Whether it’s via Facebook, texting, cell phone or e-mail, the guys stay in touch. In fact, Russell’s parents, Chapin and Sally Henley, have become good friends of TJ and Kathy and they hosted Sean last summer when he played the Junior Peach Blossom golf tournament at Macon’s Idle Hour Golf and Country Club.

And no one in the Murphy family would miss the annual “Between the Tee’s” party that completes the Dogwood’s social festivities every year. “We’ve been so lucky,” said TJ, “what started as a beautiful day to enjoy some great amateur golf has become a week on our entire family’s calendar, and more importantly the basis of some true friendships for all of us. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”