Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2017

PEOPLE golf clap
Kyle Ramey goes inside the ropes on the PGA Tour
story by Tommy Snell photos courtesy of Heather Ramey
KYLE RAMEY practicing chipping.
SHAKING HANDS and greeting his supporters and spectators.
When Kyle Ramey left Paducah, Kentucky, in 2004 for
warmer weather and a new
opportunity to play golf for the USM Golden Eagles, he had visions of making his mark in the South and eventually
on the PGA Tour. After having his name announced in Zurich Classic along with Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose, the three-time Yamaha Coast Open champion has hit the jackpot in South Mississippi golf.
Ramey learned that life on the PGA
Tour is more than just playing world- class golf. “Those guys are pulled in so many directions,” he said. “I learned how disciplined they are. How they stay in such great shape. It was fun and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Living a week on the PGA Tour has certainly sharpened his passion for competitive golf, but the PGA of America Class-A member is quick to point out that he’s content helping members at Windance Country Club. The 2008 Southern Miss graduate discovered his niche as a club professional. “When I got into the golf business, I found out quickly that this is what I wanted to do with my life,” Ramey said.
Ramey’s Army consisted of his family and a throng of Windance members who
golf-clapped every good shot. “They were so supportive of me out there. I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
Having put in the time on the practice range, Ramey’s expectations were high heading into the team format at Pete Dye’s TPC of Louisiana. The result was not what he expected, but he anticipates more chances to test his talents against the world’s best players.
Ramey married Heather Golden, his college sweetheart and former member of the USM Women’s Team, in 2010, and the talented twosome have a son and a daughter, Gunner, 4, and Palmer, 1. “It’s been really cool because she understands what I’m going through when I play,” he said.
The Windance Head Professional has
set new goals for himself. “I want to qualify for and win the PGA Professional Championship. I love my job, the ability to stay at home and watch my kids grow up, but I still have a strong desire to compete.”
Ramey found out his game is not far from those on Tour. “It was not a lot different from my game. The biggest difference is the comfort level,” he admitted. “I need more consistency. I don’t see courses
set up like that very often. I left really encouraged and I loved being inside the ropes.”
32 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • June 2017
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