Feb
22
SHARON MILLER
February 22, 2008 |
SHARON MILLER: was yesterday elected to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame; CONGRATULATIONS! We are all so very proud of you!
I first met Sharon ten years ago. She didn’t have any reason to know who I was, but I most certainly had read about and knew of her. On that Colorado afternoon, I just watched her hit golf balls. By this time, Sharon was retired from her playing career, but her swing was almost trance like in its beauty. I watched her hit balls, with a five iron, for an hour. The furthest any shot was away from its target, was 10 feet. The rhythm of each swing was so effortless, so graceful. It was the finest display of ball striking that I have ever seen.
Over the ensuing months, Sharon and I became friends. At the end of that summer, I pitched Sharon on this crazy notion that I had, about starting a golf school. We asked Sharon to become our National Head Professional. Am still not sure why, she said yes, but she did. Sharon believed in me when few others did, and ten years further on, Sharon has helped the Bird Golf Academy, become the finest golf school, in the world.
Sharon’s career is the stuff of legend. She grew up in Michigan and attended Western Michigan University. At Western Michigan, Sharon lettered in five sports, and is to this day, still the only athlete in the history of Michigan sports to have had that distinction. Sharon joined the LPGA Tour, in 1966, and immediately became a consistent money winner. Over the next fifteen years, Sharon won 3 tournaments on Tour and recorded, several top finishes in Major championships. Sadly, Sharon’s nemesis was a balky putter, but had it been more cooperative, Sharon would be in another Hall of Fame; the World Golf, Hall of Fame.
When her playing career came to an end, Sharon devoted herself to teaching and it is perhaps, in this arena that she shines, like no other. In 1986, she became the Teaching Editor for what was then a fledgling magazine, Golf for Women. Sharon’s articles are to this day, a ‘must read’ for someone who wants to better understand this game. Sharon’s drive, insight and passion, are some of the reasons that Golf for Women magazine is now the largest women’s sporting magazine in the world. Sharon was awarded the LPGA Teaching Division’s greatest honor in 1989, when she was named the National Teacher of the Year.
The adjective, great, is thrown around a lot these days, when people discuss teachers. In my opinion, a great teacher is someone who never stops learning. Someone, to whom, their student always comes first. Sharon understands more methods and styles of teaching than any teacher that I have ever met. She is without question the most widely read and learned golf teacher that I have ever known. Whenever there is a new “golf gadget”, Sharon is the first person to own it. Whenever there is a hot new “method”, Sharon is the first person to study it. She has an unquenched desire for knowledge, and a humility that is extraordinary. Sharon is; a great teacher.
Through her teaching, Sharon has influenced and inspired thousands of lives. Sharon has donated hundreds of hours by helping people with disabilities learn to play golf. Imagine the joy of a handicapped person realizing that they can play a game that they would never have imagined that they could. Another example of how this grand pursuit mirrors life. We have received hundreds of letters over the last 9 years; from students of Sharon’s whose universal comment is that they are so much the better, for knowing Sharon.
The legacy that we leave on this earth is not how big our house was or how many mutual funds we have acquired. It is how many lives that we touch. Sharon has been selfless in her pursuit of helping people. If you were to ask one of Sharon’s students why it is that they enjoy golf so much, they would tell you, that it is because of her. Sharon has helped people understand that anything in life is possible. When someone hits a shot that they had never thought possible, imagine the confidence that inspires in them, to believe that they can do anything.
Sharon’s playing career and accomplishments are worthy of inclusion in the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Sharon’s accomplishments as a human being will put her in Life’s, Hall of Fame.
Comments
10 Comments so far
Wow! Congrats on the acknowledgment on your amazing skill and career. You deserve it . You are a awesome player, teacher, and person.
I’m humbled and honored to say I know Sharon. Her zest for golf is unmatched. I spent 23 years in Colorado and hosted the Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. I really wish I could be there to see her join this hall full of great players and ambassadors of this great game. Congratulations Sharon.
Dear Sharon,
Congratulations on your induction into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. The honor (although a little too long in coming) could not have been awarded to a more deserving candidate. You have given so much of yourself to the game and to your students, that this recognition of all you done is genuinely deserved.
You share a passion and a love for the game and your students, that the rest of us can only hope to emulate. You willingness to share your wealth of knowledge about the swing, shows a desire to help all who are willing to improve their skills. I know you have a great deal of pride and pleasure, when you know that you helped on of us help make golf a better game for our students. Personally, I can’t thank you enough for all the help. I am sure you have found it hard to help an old derelict improve. The old derelict really apprciates the assistance.
Words cannot express how much I admire what you have done, for all the lives you have touched, how golf is a better game because of you, and how I have become a better teacher by having the opportunity to have you as a friend and mentor.
Thank you for everything you have done not only for me, but for all of the Bird Golf Family.
Once again congratulations, and continue to share the passion.
Love You,
Golf Guru
Congratulations Sharon! It is a true honor to know you and work with you at the Bird Academy. Not only does cream rise to the top, a person of dignity and class does as well.
Best Wishes,
Craig
Sharon, Congratulations!!! It has been my distinct pleasure to know you as a great golfer, who amazes me with her swing and abilities, and a very fine person who loves to share her knowlegde with others. I also consider you a friend who is fun to be with both on and off the golf course.
I a so very happy for you.
Sandy C.
Sharon,
Congratulations! You deserve this so much for all your hard work and dedication to teaching and the game of golf. You are one of the best people I know and I love you!
Kelly
Sharon,
CONGRATULATIONS! There is no one more deserving of this honor. You are the Queen and now the people of Colorado are recoqnizing it too! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of the game with me so freely. I am truly blessed to have you as a mentor and a friend.
Love you,
Shirley
YOU GO GIRL! Congratulations! I really enjoyed my golf school experience with you and seeing you again this January in Scottsdale. You are a great teacher and a wonderful person. Enjoy your accomplishment!
Jo-Ann Jones
Dear Sharon,
Congratulations on your induction into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. WOW…what a honor to say that I had the opportunity to take golf lessons from such a great and accomplished player. (I brag about that often
) I learned so much from you and certainly had a lot of fun.
Debbie Riddell
Green Valley, AZ
Sharon,
We certainly concur with the decision of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. We treasure you as a friend and as our golf instructor for the last several years.
You are the BEST !
Congratulations,
Bob & Michele