*FAN SUBMISSION by Tray Rivers of El Dorado, California.*
Courtesy: The Golf Channel
Tracy D. Rivers is an Army veteran, a retired drill sergeant with 20 years of service to his country and five tours of duty in an armored division. Since retiring in 2006, he has struggled through three major surgeries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Sergeant First Class Rivers graduated from National University this past Spring with an Associate of Science degree in Professional Golf Management. Along with his studies, he says “the game of golf has transformed my life.”
A lifelong athlete who played semi-professional football with a U.S. Air Force team in Germany, Rivers started playing competitive golf as an amateur in 2011. “Working on my game and enrolling in a program that channeled my passions and talents into a marketable commodity helped me to overcome years of isolation and start socializing again,” he adds, “It gave me hope for the future.”
In 2012, Rivers joined The Golf Channel Amateur Tour. His second tournament produced his first championship at Turkey Creek Golf Club in Lincoln, California. After playing in four tournaments, he ranked number one on The Golf Channel Amateur Tour, Sacramento/Stockton Tour, Summer Series. In 2013, he won his second championship at Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Club in Sacramento, California, which raised his profile considerably. Rivers was the top-ranked golfer in the nation in his flight a few months ago and is currently holding the 12th position out of 393 comparable golfers throughout the United States.
At 48 years of age, the El Dorado Hills resident aspires to play on the PGA tour and is currently looking for sponsorships. In June, he began volunteering as a Marshal at Rocklin Golf Club in Rocklin, California. He was interested in experiencing the game of golf from another viewpoint.
“Golf has been complete therapy for me,” says Rivers. “In the past, I was so introverted and didn’t want to be around people. Now I play with groups and I play with strangers. I’ve really come a long way, and my current motto is ‘never stop trying to improve myself.’”
For Rivers, National University Golf Academy was such a positive and rewarding experience, he has decided to continue to further his education and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Psychology with an emphasis in Professional Golf Management in the Fall.
No matter how far Rivers goes in his quest to be a professional golfer, he wants to be an inspiration and role model to fellow veterans.
“It’s important for me to let others know that they can overcome PTSD, go back to school and pursue their life’s dreams. No matter what they’ve been through, no veteran should ever be ashamed of their service and they should never lose hope.”
Excellent piece! Inspiring story. Thanks for sharing.