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Glen Kirk was
presented with an Amateur crystal at a recent FJT
event at TwinEagles. |
Glen Kirk is a name that
goes down in Florida State Golf Association history. Not
only did he win the 1976 Amateur Championship, he has a
great story to go along with it.
After growing up in Texas, Glen moved to Orlando and managed
Graves Harley Davidson golf cart sales in Kissimmee. He
didn't take up the game until the age of 24 and "was
hooked." Fourteen years later, he won the 1976 Amateur at
the age of 38.
Glen was familiar with the site of the 1976 Amateur
Championship, the Grenelefe Resort in Haines City. His friend
was the golf professional there so he knew the course well.
After shooting a pair of 74's the first two rounds, Glen was
near the top of the leaderboard. He moved in front with a
third round 4-under par 68 for a two stroke lead heading
into the final round of play. Playing with three-time
Amateur Champion Jack Veghte, Glen didn't let the pressure
get to him. He came out sinking a 30-foot putt for birdie on
the first hole and went on to make par, birdie on the next
two holes. Glen was eight strokes in front when on the 8th
hole, Jack began his surge making up seven strokes on the
last eleven holes. With 11 putts on the back nine, Jack had
cut the lead to two going to the par 5 18th hole. Glen and
Jack both hit the green in three. Jack made par while Glen
three-putted to survive with a bogey and win the
Championship by one. Despite having checked with an FSGA
Official to be sure of his lead, his three-putt on the final
hole was his only three-putt of the Championship. In
addition to the excitement of the victory, there was some
controversy after the Championship had concluded. Jack
signed an incorrect scorecard disqualifying him, giving Glen
the Championship now by six strokes over David Abell, who
then placed second with a 296 tournament total. Jack's total
was correct but the hole by hole was wrong thus
disqualifying him.
In addition to winning the Amateur in 1976, Glen had a
fantastic year winning the Ben Hill Griffin Invitational,
Platinum Coast Invitational and Brooksville Invitational. He
felt he "wasn't getting any younger and wanted to give the
pros a shot." After a few months on the mini tours of not
making any money, he regained his amateur status and
continued playing amateur golf. "Golf is just in my blood,"
said Glen.
Since, he has remained in the golf industry and now works
for Yes! Golf C-Groove Putters as a Tour Rep. He follows the
Futures Tour providing putters and putting instruction to
the players. With a high speed camera and software, he
measures the roll of the ball off the putter. With the
equipment, he can make adjustments in a player's set up and
motion, thereby making the ball roll better.
Yes! Golf has made a presence on the tours with many pros
using their putters. Glen has also been involved with the
Florida Junior Tour (FJT) and events Yes! Golf will be
sponsoring this summer. Yes! Golf is the title sponsor of
four FJT events exposing their products to the top juniors
in the state.
The Florida State Golf Association and Florida Junior Tour
are proud to partner with Glen and Yes! Golf and share his
story of a true Champion.
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