WRAL Sports Fan

Golf

Simpson's faith keeps him grounded

By Jeff Gravley

May 15, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. — Webb Simpson has been well known in Raleigh since his teens, as he attended Broughton High School, but his fame took a meteoric rise in 2011 after winning his first PGA tournament and finishing 2nd in the final golf standings.

"I started working out for the first time in my life, so I think my body is getting better, my swing was getting better," said Simpson. "I had always struggled as a ball striker being consistent and that was the first time in my life I had a month in a row where I was hitting well. That's what helped with the consistency. Once golfers get confident, we stay confident for awhile."

But Simpson possesses more than confidence and talent. At the Fellowship of Christian Athletes luncheon Tuesday, Simpson attributed a lot of his success to his faith.

"Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness," read Simpson from the book of James.

His faith has a calming effect during the most trying times on the golf course.

"There's so much pressure that you're going to feel in this game but if you just remember that I'm with you, if you remember why I put you here then all the pressure seems to fade away," said Simpson.

But Simpson admits it can be tough to carry his message on the PGA tour.

"It's so fun what I do and I love it so much, but at the same time it comes with a lot of temptation," said Simpson. "And so to have the faith in Christ that I do, really helps me to stay grounded and keeps golf in perspective." 

The game has provided so much for Simpson but he doesn't measure worth in titles or money. He closed his speech Tuesday reading from the book of James.

"For the sun rises with the scorching heat and withers the grass, it's flower falls and it's beauty perishes, so also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits," Simpson read.

Richness has a different definition for Webb Simpson.