The Rev. Dale Wyrick
Pastor, Spring City, Tenn.
Wyrick once shot a 2-under-par 71 during a round at Buffalo Valley Golf Course in Johnson City.
But that was many moons ago. He usually shoots around 85 when he tees it up at an area course such as Brown Acres, which has led to a reinvestment in his game.
Wyrick and friend Ben Matherly recently went to Myrtle Beach for a little bit of the beach and a lot of golf.
“The ocean is next door and we enjoy the ocean, but we went to the school because they do 12 hours of personal teaching and illustrations,” Wyrick said.
The two pastors spent a good hour in the height of the heat Tuesday refining what they learned while hitting a bucket of balls on the range at Z-Golf Academy.
“I’m working on the swing pattern for the newly created shot that I have,” Wyrick said. “I played golf the other day and hit some good shots with it – and some bad shots with my old swing.”
He has been playing golf for more than 30 years. On his first trip, college buddies took him to a course and he borrowed clubs from each of then in shooting a 139.
“I loved the game instantly,” Wyrick said. “It’s a game that I play against myself instead of opponents.”
And he appreciates the subtleties of a golf course and the sanctuary it provides.
“When I play, I rarely answer my phone. It’s my place; it’s my time,” said Wyrick, who attended Tennessee Wesleyan College. “The game is fun, but the fellowship is even better.”