QUESTIONS:
Q. What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A. My grandfather, Jim Dent and American Professional Golfer inspired me. He turned pro in 1966. During his regular (under 50) career, he was Florida PGA Champion three times. He is mainly notable for his success on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour), where he won 12 tournaments between 1989 and 1998. I started playing golf as an adult and a lot of my family and friends motivated me to move forward and try to become a PGA professional. In 2015, I became a PGA Professional Golfer. Truly, I enjoy the game of golf. As a Golf Instructor at Augusta Municipal Golf Course, I teach classes and have several students on the Jr. PGA program here in Augusta.
Q. What is your favorite restaurant in Augusta, and what do you love there?
A. Breakfast food is my favorite; so, I tend to eat a lot at Sunrise Grill off of Washington Road; my favorite meal would be Country Fried Steak and Eggs.
Q. How long have you lived or worked in Augusta?
A. Born and raised in Augusta, Ga. The military took me away from my home for about two years and then, I returned.
Q. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Augusta? Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Augusta?
A. That would be without a doubt: Mr. Marty Turcios; he is the founder of the Therapeutic Golf Foundation. The foundation provides free therapeutic recreation to anyone with a severe disability in the form of golf. Why golf? Golf is an individual sport where a participant can continually challenge themselves, from any level, for a lifetime, long after most traditional therapies usually end. The “handicap” or “index” scoring system allows people of a variety of abilities to enjoy golf together. The spacious nature of a golf course is both safer than many exercise areas, with great expanses without hard pavement and the same spaciousness supplies a modicum of privacy for former shut-ins shy around others.
Marty has a disability; but, he’s an avid golfer. He instructs and he’s a UCLA graduate; he’s very intelligent. He’s such an inspiration; as I stated, he has a disability; but, he still finds the strength and courage to work within his disability to help others. He’s located in Augusta as well. Most times you can find him over at Wedges and Woods Golf Range. I also conduct classes at Wedges and Woods.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A. South Africa. Since I am big into history; oftentimes I see documentaries on South Africa on the history or travel channels and I have developed a great interest to travel to experience the country first-hand for myself. The continent of Africa is very intriguing.
Q. What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A. Let’s go with a series; my favorite is the James Bond series. Sean Connery is my all-time favorite actor who played as one of the infamous 007 agents.
Q. What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A. Pay attention. If you’re not aware of your surroundings and what’s going on in that space; others are positioned to tell you whatever they want to tell you and you will be lost.
Q. What is something on your bucket list?
A. Really, I do not have a bucket list. By being an unselfish person; I am just interested in taking care of my family.
Q. What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A. One entertainer, I find super interesting is Erykah Badu; I would like to see her live. Once, I got to see the group Outcast and I would really like to see them again. I think if anyone never had the chance to see Michael Jackson in his prime; he would be one to see.
Q. What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Augusta?
A. Places like Pyramid Music are considered a staple in Augusta; especially in the Black Community. They have brought various events to Augusta, Mr. Gordon, and his partners have a lot to do with music here.
Q. Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Augusta would you have lunch?
A. President Barack Obama would be ideal. What a great opportunity to sit and listen to him and I would ask various business questions seeking insight for my various business activities. Plus, just to hear him discuss current events taking place today and what his assessments are. I would certainly take him to my momma’s house for lunch; she would love to have the opportunity to cook for him. We all would enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with him and I think, he would enjoy a more private atmosphere.
Q. What is your favorite thing or something unique about Augusta?
A. Augusta itself is just unique. The most noticeable activity in Augusta is the Masters Gold Tournament. Anything surrounding this event is unique. It’s viewed as Augusta’s signature on the world.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A. My plan is to still be here at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course executing my golf programs and my programs consist of working with the disabled, veterans and the Jr. PGA players. We take beginners and juniors that have some golf skills and we develop them and get them familiar with the match-play competition; getting them ready to play in high school and college and further as golfers. I am a firm believer; if you teach young kids early enough about responsibility and duty to the community; the better the community will be overall. Frederick Douglas said: it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
Q. (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A. Don’t be shocked; but, I like country music. I used to square dance; but, now. . . I have developed two left feet. *laughs
Q. Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?
A. There was nothing around it–it wasn’t a neighborhood. During my earlier years, I grew up on the hill, the bottom part of Willow Rd. and then from second grade to adulthood, I was raised off a dirt road in Evans.
Q. What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A. (1) Security (2) A place of love and (3) Family
Q. If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A. Pearl Brown, she’s a 70-year-old lady that is kind of like my surrogate mother — she is funny. I think we would be great staring in a movie together.
Q. If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? {Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny} WHY?
A. Although it’s not on the list, I could utilize a Personal Assistant.
Q. If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, what would that be?
A. The birth of my son is high up on the list; but, there is also the time that I spent with my Great-Grandmother; I learned so much from her. . .but, just watching my son be born was unforgettable.
Q. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
A. Frankie. I call him my brother but we grew-up together. Anytime that I might have faced something in my life he has always encouraged me. He always a huge motivator. Especially, when I was going through my divorce–he was around to uplift me and keep me focused; just an inspiration. Our friendship goes back almost 25 years.
OUR FINAL QUESTION
Q. IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A. Be open to suggestions & open to criticism. I believe this is a major problem here in Augusta; if it is not something that we have been accustom to seeing–then, it is ruled as being no good. Remember: I am a Black Golf Pro with Dreads……just remain open.
Thank you, Andre. You made my experience easy and comfortable. To new beginnings. Friends for Life.
