Mentor: Fred Funk

For my quest as the Embedded Golfer, I asked Fred Funk — a PGA Tour fan favorite — to serve as my mentor.

When I was a Wake Forest, Fred was the golf coach at the University of Maryland, where he coached from 1982 to 1988 after graduating with a degree in law enforcement in 1980. While other coaches walked the golf course with their players, I remember Fred walking around with a golf glove in his back pocket and spending a good bit of time working on his own swing at the driving range!

After dominating competition among PGA pros in the Mid-Atlantic for several years, Fred played his rookie year on the PGA Tour in 1989 at the age of 32. Now an established veteran, he has won eight times on the PGA Tour, including the 2005 Players Championship, and five times on the Champions Tour, including the 2009 U.S. Senior Open. He was a member of the United States teams at the 2004 Ryder Cup and the 2003 and 2005 Presidents Cup. He has also led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy seven times.

Born in Maryland, Fred now resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with his wife, Sharon, and their children.

Fred is an ideal mentor for several reasons. He joined the PGA Tour relatively late in life. Like me, he does not overpower golf courses, instead relying on accuracy and his short game to compete. A one-time junior boxer, he is a fighter and never gives up on the golf course. Finally, he is one of the nicest and fun-loving guys on the tour, qualities that I hope to emulate as the Embedded Golfer.

For Fred’s complete profile on PGATour.com, click here.