British golfer with inspirational story eyeing enormous US Open upset
For many golfers the possibility to succeed in the US Open is one thing they’ll solely dream about. For British golfer Jonathan James (JJ) Grey this dream turned a actuality, however it got here following a tragic occasion.
JJ’s journey to turning into a professional golfer was unconventional to say the least. He performed for Sussex as a junior earlier than becoming a member of Kent at Under-21 degree. Following that the now 30-year-old relocated to the US due to a scholarship for Georgia State.
JJ was rubbing shoulders with the likes of Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler and have become shut buddies with fellow golfer, Sam Asbury. After restricted progress JJ’s efforts reaped little reward and he was near giving up on his dream.
Forced to take up a job at a sports activities store to earn extra cash JJ recalled a dialog with Sam. Speaking to the Daily Mail, JJ mentioned: “I was around his place and was just telling him how I felt I was reaching the end with golf. It was starting to feel like I was a burden on my wife and kids.”
It was solely two weeks later that JJ recieved a dreaded name telling him that his good friend had dedicated suicide. “I found out the night it happened,” JJ mentioned. “It was just the worst. No one had any idea that he was going through anything.
“Just a few days after every thing with Sam, his dad instructed me that, completely unknown to me, Sam had requested him to assist me out with my golf. I had no thought they’d spoken, however his dad and mom mentioned they needed to sponsor me and so they needed me to see it as Sam sponsoring me.”
Grey, ranked 3,686th in the world, managed to secure a place at the US Open qualifying at the Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Atlanta following the news. Here he secured one of the last three spots to qualify for the prestigious Open.
Sam’s family helped support JJ’s journey to rise up the ranks in golf. “It’s been insane what they’ve carried out for me,” he says. “Flights, lodging, entry charges, that type of stuff — they’ve supported me.
“It helped me get up to the Korn Ferry Tour last year (a feeder circuit for the PGA Tour) and to do a year there can be a minimum of $50,000. If you get a hotel for $100 a night that’s $700 for the tournament. Rental car is another $500. Caddie hire. Flights. If you don’t make a cut, and I missed most, you don’t get paid.
“I merely would not be going to the US Open if it hadn’t been for the Asburys’ assist and likewise the assist of my spouse — now we have two children and I’ve been chasing this. I’m so blissful however I do know I’m very fortunate too,” he mentioned.
In tribute to his late good friend, JJ writes S and F on his golf balls. The letters stand for the Sam Asbury Foundation which has been created to assist these with psychological well being difficulties.