Page 29 - 2019 Western Amateur Championship Program

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REFLECTIONS FROM A POINT O’ WOODS
CADDIE AND EVANS SCHOLARS ALUM

John Singer speaking to students

in the NBA finals — and couldn’t resist In these politically divisive times, rap artists from the ’90s anymore,” he
some ribbing. “I thought you were the work can be a challenge, he says. says with a laugh. “So I’ve had to update
better than that,” he told Singer. Not everyone buys in; some can get my hip-hop references.”
aggressive in their pushback. “It’s work
Justin Leonard was another great loop. On that note, one of his favorite pieces
that’s never really done,” he says.
A top college golfer, he “had a great of advice comes from Kendrick Lamar:
“Many people have realized in the
sense of humor,” Singer says. “The guy “Be humble.” Caddying taught him
current climate, there’s both an
was hilarious. To see somebody at that this lesson, he says, as well as about
opportunity to reach people, but
level of the game be so down-to-earth — the importance of relationships.
there’s also the potential for the work
and to be on his bag back-to-back years “The work I do now, it’s all about
to be dangerous.”
when he won the Western Amateur — creating, maintaining and nurturing
was really special.” On the flip side, he recalls one student relationships,” he says. “This line of
who seemed sullen and distant in class. work is not for the faint of heart; it’s
After college, Singer took a few years to
A year later, the student wrote Dr. not some play thing. You really have
figure out next steps. He was working
Singer a letter, sharing that his class had to have a passion for this, knowing it’s
toward a master’s degree when he began
challenged his views on life. “Getting imperfect work but believing it’s still
mentoring young black athletes — and
that letter makes the struggles of important enough to do.”
found his niche. He began studying
teaching class worth it,” he says.
sports management, earning a Ph.D.
“You’re able to reach that one person.”
from OSU. In 2005, Singer was
recruited to Texas A&M. He’s now In recent years, students are more
the associate dean for diversity and accepting than ever about the topic, he
inclusion in the College of Education says. They send him texts asking about
and Human Development, where he his views on news topics. Dealing with
teaches, studies best practices and works millennials has also forced him to
to implement what he learns. update his taste in music. “I can’t quote

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