Life's Hazards, Bad Bounces Best Overcome with the Lord
by Doug Greengard
April 22, 2004
(AgapePress) - Whether it is facing the toughest hole on the course or yet another challenge in the game of life, Bob Gilder knows how to take his best swing."My parents became Christians when I was in high school and I gave my life to the Lord when I was in college at Arizona State," says Gilder, who began his career at the school as a walk-on and proceeded to become the Western Athletic Conference champion and earn honorable mention all-American honors. "It's been a great relationship with Christ. I couldn't do it without Him."
Gilder has enjoyed his fair share of success also as a professional golfer. He won seven times on the PGA Tour between 1976 and 1982, notching three victories alone in 1982. Since arriving on the Champion's Tour, the Corvallis, Oregon, native has posted seven victories, including the 2001 Senior Tour Championship. His winning total at the 2003 Emerald Coast Classic shattered the tournament record by three strokes and was the lowest winning score on the tour that year.
Yet, the success seems to pale in comparison to his quest of reaching the ultimate target.
"This is all going to go away," adds Gilder. "Winning golf tournaments and major championships; it's fun while you're doing it, but it means nothing in the long-range goals. It's where you're going to be for eternity that makes a difference. If you're not working toward that end and working toward other people seeing that, then you're not doing your work."
With no shortage of on-course hazards and plenty of distractions, it is easy to see the similarities between golf and life. Gilder is sure to spend plenty of time in Bible study and around his fellow believers on tour -- including the Friday night chapel service -- to make sure he is prepared for the challenges that are sure to come his way.
"You can't do this by yourself," says Gilder. "If you're doing it by yourself, then you're doing it for the wrong person."
Golf is full on surprises, with no shortage of bad breaks and bounces. Even in the heat of competition, Gilder is always conscious of being an ambassador to Christ.
"I believe we're out there to glorify God, through our actions and our speech," he says. "And if you're not doing that, then you're thinking about the wrong things."
Gilder is committed to staying on course and on his way to claiming the greatest prize of all: the Crown of Life.
Doug Greengard is chaplain for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the host/producer of Christian Sports Minute, a radio feature airing on more than 300 stations in North America. To get Heroes of Faith, a book filled with 24 stories of well-known sports figures, send $10 to Greengard Family Ministries, 2250 Gause Blvd., PMB 51089, Slidell, LA 70461.
