Page 92 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

SPORTS & OUTDOORS coast golf update BILOXIAN
PGA official Bradley has his day in Biloxi
MT ADEGOODphotos by John Stricklin and courtesy of PGA
he mayor of Biloxi gave him
a day, his pupil gave him a shag bag full of accolades and credits, and his childhood buddy handed out anecdotes
that brought laughter and smiles to
a full house at the Dr. Frank Gruich Community Center recently when PGA official Mickey Bradley was honored.
Bradley choked back emotions as
he thanked the Biloxi Bay Chamber
of Commerce for his Biloxian Made Good honor. “Heartfelt. An absolutely wonderful experience,” he said.
Mayor Fo Fo Gilich named November 12 Mickey Bradley Day, Kenny Hughes classified his mentor as a best friend and teacher, and State Representative Randall Patterson conjured up tales
of the two of them taking up for each other and five brothers living in one bedroom.
Gilich grew up in the same Biloxi neighborhood in which the 25-year PGA Tour Rules Official veteran kicked around, and he couldn’t have been more proud of his buddy, Mickey Bradley. “It’s an honor to give Mickey the credit he deserves,” he said after the presentation. “He’s a true gentleman and a credit to our community.”
Hughes relived hunting trips to
Itta Bena, Miss., Good ‘Ole Boys events at one of the most beloved
golf tournaments on the Coast and “teaching moments” as Bradley’s assistant at Hickory Hill CC. In typical Bradley fashion, the official who teed off the Hogan Tour (now web.com)
Mickey Bradley has had plenty of on-course adventures as a PGA Tour rules official. ABOVE: Bradley is seen here at the 2013 Zurich Classic of New Orleans as a three- legged alligator crosses the fairway. LEFT: Bradley at the Biloxi Bay Chamber’s Biloxian Made Good event.
92 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • January 2016
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and the PGA Tour China was quick to acknowledge Hughes’ contributions to Mississippi Gulf Coast golf as well.
Randall Patterson offered Huckleberry Finn-type tales of the two growing up on the Biloxi Point and exposed emotional admiration for the family that includes five brothers and a sister. “It was a privilege knowing the Bradley family,” said the District 115 Representative of 11 years. Those
sentiments echo off landmarks and golf courses across the “world’s longest man-made beach.”
“First, I’d like to thank my wife and best friend, Susan,” said Bradley. He also thanked his brothers and sister and everyone in attendance. He barely made it through a quick acceptance speech as emotions were growing faster than rough at a US Open. Heartfelt indeed!