Obituary - John Bretz (Bravo) RIP – “Assclench forever”

[IrishGolfer]

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..

[ManchesterGolfer]

Classic... Rest in Peace John you will surely be missed.

[ezra76]

Rest in peace John.

I've spent the last 20 minutes looking at some of Bravo's posts. Here is a link to them if anyone else is interested in going through them.

Shot Talk - Golf Forum - Search Results

[mddubya]

Rest in Peace John!

I never had a chance to meet him, I was looking forward to it in April in Tn.

[JEFF4i]

Many Egyptians believed that when a man dies, he will be asked two questions by Anubis.

The first, "Did you bring joy?" Without a doubt we can say that John did, and has accomplished one of the most important goals of life. He has brought children into the world, he has made others laughs, and come together. Though not with you physically, his actions shall resonate through the lives and souls of those he touched, never to be forgotten.

The second, "Did you find joy?" Given the situation, I think the answer is yes. Joy and sorrow are fleeting things, they are what makes life beautiful, but both come and go. Darkness can overcomes us, sometimes the most optimistic. To fall so far, means that he has lived so high. The choice was made, but we can reflect upon his life and know that he was happy, and that is what is most important.

I do apologize to the family and friends of John, I do not mean to sound impertinent, even though I know I do. Knowing him for a short time, the simple fact that he tolerated me meant he was a saint in his own right.

[DaveE]

I remember John always being willing if not anxious to help his fellow golfers. After posting about a Hogan tape that he had watched I made some comment about it and he insisted on mailing me a copy. I'm going to have to find it and watch it while having a drink in his honor.

I'm sure anyone who's been around long enough remembers how over and over he patiently helped new golfers figure out what clubs to get or how to fix their swings. He made Shottalk a better place. He really was one of the good guys and I will miss him.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Just thought I would post this for anyone who is interested.

After doing a bit of research I found the following information and thought I should share it on here.

It was requested at the time that any donations be made to the Exceptional Foundation, 1616 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 870-0776.

https://www.exceptionalfoundation.org/

This may give a little better explanation.
The literal world of autism -

[Slingblade61]

Thank you Mark, for starting this thread.

Without boring you with all the details, John Bretz is a 'founding father' of ST.
One day I got a wild hair up my ass and decided I could do it better than the other guy.

John was one of the first people I contacted about my idea because I sensed we shared the same frustration.

Sure enough, he was on board 100%.

I never got to meet John in person but I feel like I knew him as well as I know my next door neighbor. I hope they have golf in heaven and that we get to meet there (of course there's no golf in heaven because as we all know....it's the devil's game!).

Internet relationships are funny things. You develop bonds with people you almost never get to meet and then something like this happens and you are (at least I am) feeling empty. Probably because of the lack of physical contact and of the thought of what might have been.

I am greatly saddened by the loss.

Rest in peace John.

[Rockford35]

Thank you Mark, for starting this thread.

Without boring you with all the details, John Bretz is a 'founding father' of ST.
One day I got a wild hair up my ass and decided I could do it better than the other guy.

John was one of the first people I contacted about my idea because I sensed we shared the same frustration.

Sure enough, he was on board 100%.

I never got to meet John in person but I feel like I knew him as well as I know my next door neighbor. I hope they have golf in heaven and that we get to meet there (of course there's no golf in heaven because as we all know....it's the devil's game!).

Internet relationships are funny things. You develop bonds with people you almost never get to meet and then something like this happens and you are (at least I am) feeling empty. Probably because of the lack of physical contact and of the thought of what might have been.

I am greatly saddened by the loss.

Rest in peace John.

Great post, Bob. Hit the nail on the head here...

R35

[DaveE]

I never got to meet John in person but I feel like I knew him as well as I know my next door neighbor. I hope they have golf in heaven and that we get to meet there (of course there's no golf in heaven because as we all know....it's the devil's game!).

Internet relationships are funny things. You develop bonds with people you almost never get to meet and then something like this happens and you are (at least I am) feeling empty. Probably because of the lack of physical contact and of the thought of what might have been.

I am greatly saddened by the loss.

Rest in peace John.

Thanks for putting into words what I couldn't. Honestly, I had never considered for a second that I would shed real tears for someone that I met on the internet. I'm just gutted.

[mddubya]

Since the other thread was closed I will make the same suggestion in this one. I propose we all meet here on ShotTalk tonight at 11pm EST and raise a glass in a toast to John.

[Rockford35]

Thanks for putting into words what I couldn't. Honestly, I had never considered for a second that I would shed real tears for someone that I met on the internet. I'm just gutted.

I instantly thought of you when I read this news.

John was supposed to come to Texas for my trip down, but things didn't work out family-wise for him unfortunately. That made me think of what we both missed out on, in hindsight.

Have a Shiner for me too, please. And throw a Titleist with a "B" marked on it into the lake. I'd appreciate it.

Man, as unreal as it sounds, I really would miss the majority of you guys if things went sour.

T

[mddubya]

I instantly thought of you when I read this news.

John was supposed to come to Texas for my trip down, but things didn't work out family-wise for him unfortunately. That made me think of what we both missed out on, in hindsight.

Have a Shiner for me too, please. And throw a Titleist with a "B" marked on it into the lake. I'd appreciate it.

Man, as unreal as it sounds, I really would miss the majority of you guys if things went sour.

T

I have literally walked around in a funk all day since reading about John. It is amazing that you can feel so close to someone you have only shared laughs with over the internet. But it is true, my eyes welled up when I 1st read it and most likely will again tonight at 11pm when I raise a glass in honor of him.

[DaveE]

I instantly thought of you when I read this news.

John was supposed to come to Texas for my trip down, but things didn't work out family-wise for him unfortunately. That made me think of what we both missed out on, in hindsight.

Have a Shiner for me too, please. And throw a Titleist with a "B" marked on it into the lake. I'd appreciate it.

Man, as unreal as it sounds, I really would miss the majority of you guys if things went sour.

T

I wont be able to be here later so I'm sitting here now, not with a shiner, with a vodka. I've been thinking all day about the outing we almost had in Alabama but I had forgotten that he was trying to come to TX to meet us.

As soon as I read your post every conversation I had with him about it came back.

As much as I have always loved Thanksgiving, this one will be different. I am fortunate that everyone will be here this year and I have much to be thankful for.

[BigJim13]

Just thought I would post this for anyone who is interested.

After doing a bit of research I found the following information and thought I should share it on here.

It was requested at the time that any donations be made to the Exceptional Foundation, 1616 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 870-0776.

https://www.exceptionalfoundation.org/

This may give a little better explanation.
The literal world of autism -

I responded to this post in the other thread, decided to put it here as well as this thread you referenced touched me.

I remember that post, actually I remember it quite well. It brought a tear to my eye then and did again just now. At the time my daughter was not quite 6mo old but already had me wrapped around her finger. She was perfectly healthy when born and still is to this day (thank goodness). That thread and at the time the recent birth of my daughter brought home to me just how lucky I am. It was a very thought provoking and inward reaching post, at least for me and one which I have never forgotten.

Thank you for finding that post and referencing it.