0

Kevin Streelman: Making a Dream Come True

MastersIt may be hard to tell what the biggest story of the week is at The Masters.

We have Tiger’s return after his physical and mental issues. There is Rory McIlroy trying to go for three majors in a row, complete the career grand slam and set himself up for the RorySlam with four straight at the U.S. Open. Bubba Watson is looking to claim his third green jacket and defend his title.

And there are many more great stories here this week but for today I think I may have found the best story of the day. With Jack, Gary and Gentle Ben playing the Par Three Tournament and Tiger Woods participating (with his kids) for the first time since 2004 there will be headlines a plenty.

But Jason Sobel gives us a revealing account of a Masters competitor that is still searching for his first green jacket and won’t be looking to make his dreams come true until Sunday but today he’ll be making someone else’s dream come true. 

Kevin Streelman’s daughter spent seven days in the NICU when she was born, now healthy Sophia’s birth changed the way Streelman looked at kids.

He wanted to try and give something back to some children so he called the Make A Wish Foundation to try and see if there was any child that had “going to the Masters” as their wish.

Not long after qualifying again by winning the Travelers Championship, Streelman decided he wanted to offer the opportunity to someone who really deserved it. His daughter, Sophia, was born the previous December amidst pregnancy complications. She’d spent seven days in the NICU before coming home. Enduring that afforded him a matured perspective. 

“That changed a lot of the ways I see children,” he says. “I have an entirely new appreciation for what parents with children having tough times are going through.”

Soon enough, he was calling Ethan with an offer. 

Ethan is Ethan Couch a thirteen year old golf fanatic that a few years back was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. When Streelman asked Ethan about The Masters he was shocked.  streelma, ethan

Yeah, I know who you are,” the boy replied when the pro golfer introduced himself. 

He didn’t know why he was calling, though. 

Streelman explained that, as a Masters competitor, he was allowed to choose his caddie for Wednesday’s event. He was choosing Ethan. 

The boy fell silent. His parents, each listening over speaker phone, began crying. When Ethan finally spoke, his voice was shaking. 

“I just wanted to go to the Masters,” he’d later say. “I didn’t expect this.” 

He’s now in Augusta, along with his entire family, two years removed from making his Masters wish, preparing to wear the famous white jumpsuit given to all caddies.

The boy who owns a career-low score of 82 won’t be bashful in the role, either. 

“I’ll definitely make sure he’s hitting the right club,” he says with a confident laugh. 

You want to talk about giving back? You want to talk aboutmaking dreams come true? Talk to Kevin Streelman. He gets it.

I just want to open the door to someone and hopefully give him a great day after going through some rough times,” Streelman says. “This isn’t about me. It’s about giving back. It’s about using the opportunity that I have to make someone’s wish come true.” 

So when the Par Three Tournament airs today at 3:00pm I’ll be looking for Jack and Ben and Gary. I’ll be happy to see Tiger back acting human and I’ll cheer for the close ones and smile at the little ones in oversized caddie jumpsuits.

But mostly I’ll be looking for Streelman and his new caddie. And cheering him on like hell.

Jason Sobel recently left The Golf Channel to head back to ESPN. He nailed it with this one.

Share

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.