10 years ago, I was 24 years old, and I asked Dave Pelz if he would work with me and coach me. To help me with my short-game and my putting. But he became and was so much more to Justine and I than a coach.
He taught me how to think, how to listen, and he brought so much life to my game. Dave Pelz (DP) was and is the best coach I ever had. To say that he will be missed would be such an understatement. His contributions to the game of golf will outlive my lifetime, and I hope one day to have contributed as much good in the world and in the game as he did. He pushed me to think harder, think higher of myself, and be a better person regardless of any circumstance I was faced with. He cared about the game, like I care about the game. When so many people are caught up in money, at the end of the day- the last time I saw him…just three weeks ago, we were talking and just trying to figure out what would be best for the game of golf. We shared many views about the game, and the massive divide the game of golf has faced and how to put it back together.
He and his wife, JoAnn, (JP), were two people Justine and I always looked up to the most and two people we could always count on. In golf and in life.
I have never forgotten anything he ever said to me, because sure enough-as soon as I would- Justine would be quick to remind me what Pelz said, and although I cannot share all of the lessons he taught me, I can share with you the person he was to me, and the coach he was to me and sadly I wish we could start all over again because he made learning fun, experimenting was fun. He never doubted a theory or an idea I had, he taught me to test it. He never doubted my ability, he challenged it. And more than anything, he and JP loved Justine and I the way a mom or dad loves to see their children achieve a dream, a goal, and wanted the best for us, and it was so real and genuine. I wish he were still here because I would tell him how much he meant to me in my life and in my game, and that I am forever fortunate and grateful to have been a part of his life, to know him and his family, to love them and care about them, and for it to be reciprocated in a way I never expected.
I’ll always appreciate Dave’s mind, and how well he used it to create, invent, research, to write, to build, it taught me so much more than golf to spend time with him. He was relentless in his pursuit of achieving greatness in the game of golf. Through science, research, experiments- everything he ever taught me holds strong and holds true, and it always will, because Dave didn’t back anything he wasn’t 100 percent sure of. He didn’t sway with the wind, he was the wind. Every time I ever met with him, he blew me away, because his presence, his sincere nature coupled with a kind sense of humor, and his drive made for the best coach I could have ever asked for.
Dave’s life should be celebrated, and never forgotten. Our love and hearts go out to JoAnn Pelz who Dave used to always lovingly and affectionately call JP. JP was and is his equal in every way, and you couldn’t have asked for a better match than JP and DP.
Thank you for the memories, thank you for your support, and thank you for believing in me. You changed my life. I love you DP. We love you and you will forever be in our hearts and minds.
Your friend,
Patrick Reed
