The search for two coordinators is underway, recruiting season is getting heated and I took a week off from talking Canes as it was time to celebrate another passion; following a friend on his journey to the top.
Pat Perez is a long-time bud. Actually, more like a brother-from-another-mother. My former roommate, a client and now a winner on the PGA Tour after wrapping up last week’s Bob Hope Classic out in La Quinta, CA.
Year eight on Tour and 198 events later, the kid finally took care of business and closed one out. I haven’t been this excited about a win since Miami rolled up Nebraska, 37-14 seven Januarys ago.
Ironically enough, I took in that Rose Bowl conquest with both my family, some buds, PP and Tour pro Jason Gore. All were a part of Sunday’s desert triumph.
Rooting for the Canes, there have been as many ups as downs these past few years. Literally. 19-19 since the 2006 season, meaningful wins have been few and far between. This weekend I saw as meaningful a sports victory as I’ve seen in a long time.
After a scorching opening round 61 on Wednesday, Perez sat a top the leaderboard. After a Thursday round of 63, he set the 36 hole Tour record at 20-under after two. Back-to-back rounds of 67 had him three behind entering Sunday’s round, where he kept his composure and put together a stellar final round 69.
His final approach shot, a dagger. Sitting on a one shot lead with John Merrick in the clubhouse, Pat went for the six iron and stuck his second shot a few feet from the cup. A triumphant walk up 18, an easy putt for eagle gave him the victory at -33.
With upwards of two dozen friends and family piled up outside the bunker on 18, ‘la familia’ rushed the green when it was over and the celebration was on. It was surreal. I pocketed a clump of grass from the fringe of the bunker. A keepsake. Last time I did that was a sweltering fall afternoon at the Orange Bowl when Miami knocked off #1 Florida State, 27-24. Wide Right III that time. A three on a par five, this time.
Equally as crazy, getting to celebrate with Canes legend Pat Burrell (pictured far right), who I’ve gotten to know through PP over the years. It may have been a PGA Tour event, but it felt like The U was well represented; Burrell in tow and me rocking my Miami orange polo.
Ironically enough, Perez and I first met Burrell in passing at that much-discussed Rose Bowl game, though I’m the only one who recalls the encounter. Seven years later Pat & Pat are celebrating a World Series title and inaugural PGA Tour win over the span of a few months. Again, it’s crazy.
This weekend was a reminder why I love sports and keep coming back for more, despite the recent track record of who I pull for.
Life is good when your team is on top. Sadly, the Canes haven’t given me that feeling in a while. It doesn’t diminish my love for the program, but it can take the wind out of one’s sails. Numb to losses. Forgetting what it’s like to lead the pack. Being a top that mountain is amazing. Being in the valley sucks.
This last week things were good sports-wise for the first time in a long time. Thrilled for my friend and after this brush with success, that much more eager for Miami to be relevant again. Pat’s first Tour event came ten days after the 2002 Rose Bowl. It’s been a long seven years waiting for his initial win and it’s felt like a lifetime. Crazy to think it’s been even longer since Miami delivered the hardware and that they’re still on the clock.
While it’ll be great to get back to talking Canes this week, I have to admit, I loved getting away and getting knee-deep in this experience. Sunday’s night’s celebration was reminiscent to the jubilation I felt in Pasadena, back at the bar of the team hotel after the beatdown of Nebraska. Joyous tears in my beer, doing all I could to soak up the moment.
The high was the complete opposite of my two lowest moments as a sports fan; seeing Ohio State steal Miami’s crown and watching Pat hit out of bounds on the 72nd hole at Pebble Beach, losing the lead and eventually the tournament during his rookie season.
In both cases, I never thought it’d be over seven years (or more) before I saw redemption. PP delivered on his end this past weekend. Hopefully in the near future my Canes can do the same.
Congrats to my boy. Besides the joy of watching a friend succeed at the highest level, the experience itself reminded me how much I enjoy the thrill of victory and am over the agony of defeat.