John passed in July 2008. He was one of the founding fathers of ShotTalk in 2004 and a good friend of many of the folk who post here.
Please post any stories, memories you have of John (Bravo) here.
I am positive that John would want us to remember him in a positive light. He was the funny guy in the 4 ball, with a story for every occasion. He was well travelled and had a lot of acquaintances. He was a fatherly figure here on the board for a number of members. As administrator he calmed down a few situations. He had almost 6,000 posts.
John lived in Birmingham, Alabama, and he loved telling people how great golf was in his ‘hood. He was always interested in other golfers from round the world. He was always asking advice on air con, TVs, leaf blowers etc. Some of John’s posts were funny, some inspirational, some worrying. He always wore his heart on his sleeve, and was always open to advice.
John adored his family and he loved his dogs often posting about how everyone was keeping in good times and bad. I know that his last few months must have been hard, with work and mounting bills etc. I hope he got some solace from Shot Talk.
And he could play some stick – off a ‘cap of 7. He loved the history of the game and he was always trying to improve his game (like most of us), a big fan of Hogan. “Assclench Forever” was a good signature for John, he thought that was hilarious until it actually worked for him, then he swore by it. We often read about him tinkering with shafts for his Sonartecs. And he was delighted to land his TM driver.
I would have loved to take taken a turkey off him in Ireland or Alabama, just sorry I never got the chance.
John, I hope you are in the Big Course in the Clouds, rubbing shoulders with Hogan et al and telling them great stories. Here's a classic Bravo Post.
John’s Shot of the Year
Mine happened last weekend. (after a very average and frustrating golf year for me). I am standing in a fairway bunker, 145 yards from the 11th green - which is a 'tri-level'...
The front level of the green is tiny so pin placements there can be murder...bunkers on both sides and only 25 feet across. The pin is on the lower level. 20 mph wind blowing directly at me from the North and I've got a big tire mark in my underwear from all the chili I ate the night before. I've belched and farted about 50 times on the front and have a substantial case of hearburn....and a class five hangover from too much vodka after watching Alabama lose a cliffhanger to LSU on the tube.
Take out my 6 iron...two 'baseball' practice swings as I stand in the bunker...Take the club back and focus hard on the back of the ball. It flies out defiantly into the teeth of the wind and lands on the green, 12 feet from the hole. I am putting for sandy birdie....barely miss the hard breaking putt, but for once this year - I felt like a golfer.....I belched loudly in satisfaction and went to the next tee..