The Standard September 12, 2026
On almost any given weekend afternoon and some weeknights my husband can be found watching sports. Usually I’m not very tuned in, but over the past four years I’ve become a fan of men’s professional golf. It’s due to a connection of a family friend from Dallas and a pair of fine Christian men who happen to be good buddies and amazing golfers.
As I only recently discovered, there is quite a history between the Professional Golfers’ Association and Christian ministries. Because of the intensity of traveling on the PGA Tour and the fact that tournaments take place from Thursdays to Sundays, back in 1965 players Kermit Zarley and brothers Jim and Babe Hiskey started the PGA Tour Bible Study. This began with an informal gathering of seven men meeting in a hotel or locker room, but saw dramatic expansion over several decades. Larry Moody served as the tour chaplain for over 30 years, and Tuesday evenings of Bible Study, prayer, worship, and fellowship grew to include caddies and support staff.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf was founded in 1977 as FCA’s first sport-specific ministry. Pros like Larry Nelson and Peggy Kirk Bell were among the original guest clinicians. College Golf Fellowship, started and led by current PGA Tour chaplain Brad Payne, began in 1980 as an outreach to college golfers and coaches, with a close connection to FCA Golf. Active PGA Tour players regularly serve as speakers, mentors, and hosts for events and retreats, connecting professionals with college golfers. The beloved and hilarious Press McPhaul, Director of Coaches Ministry, has deep ties to Pitt County.
Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Russell Henley, Bubba Watson, Wyndham Clark, Steward Cink, Webb Simpson, Bernhard Langer, Payne Stewart, and Sam Burns are only a few of the PGA’s men of faith. In an interview before the 2025 British Open, world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler summed up his priorities beautifully: “To get to live out your dreams is very special. … I love being able to play this game for a living — it’s one of the greatest joys of my life. But does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.” “This is not the place to look for your satisfaction. This is something where you can have a great appreciation for and a great amount of thankfulness for being able to do this. Like I said, it’s literally one of the most fun things that I can do in my entire life. I love being able to come out here and play golf and compete, but at the end of the day, it’s just not what satisfies me.”
“I would say my greatest priorities are my faith and my family.” “Those come first for me. Golf is third in that order. I’ve said it for a long time, golf is not how I identify myself. I don’t identify myself by winning tournaments, chasing trophies, being famous or whatever it is.”
It is exciting to see the continued work of training disciples, as the Apostle Paul instructed. “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2
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