Heath Slocum Captures The McGladrey Classic...Yet, Winning Isn't Everything

~ For the second consecutive season, Heath Slocum has attained yet another PGA TOUR victory. Yet, his closest friends and family members know that the illness he has overcome in recent years provides him with a far greater challenge than any PGA TOUR event ever could. ~

Back in 1997, Heath Slocum was completely focused on ultimately earning his place amongst golf's elite - as a member of the PGA TOUR. While competing on the Nike Tour (Nationwide Tour), the Baton Rouge native and former three-time All-American member of the University of South Alabama appeared to be destined for an ultimately successful career on the PGA TOUR.

He was a consistent golfer with a solid short game that was matched only by his incredible poise on the golf course - a level of calmness, confidence, and patience that was regularly noticed by his fellow peers and opponents.

Yet, on the morning of Thanksgiving Day 1997, Slocum's unyielding focus on the game of golf, as well as his passion for competing on the professional circuit, was suddenly replaced by his incessant attention towards a physical ailment that would challenge him well into the future.
During that morning he awoke with severe stomach cramps - far worse than he had ever experienced in his lifetime. While he was certainly alarmed by the pain, he had no reason not to believe that it was caused by anything except for a normal case of the flu.

Nevertheless, Slocum's stomach pain continued for months on end. Over time, he began to experience other symptoms on a consistent basis - frequent diarrhea, nausea, and, perhaps, the most frightening sign of sickness - rapid weight loss. Over a period of four months, Slocum lost almost 30 pounds as he soon weighed only 122 pounds. Standing at 5'8", Slocum was severely underweight...and desperate for answers.

After months of uncertainty, he finally received a diagnosis - ulcerative colitis.

Upon learning about the cause of his illness, Slocum was definitely unsure about the disease, its causes, and its future impact on his health and life - to say the least.

"When a specialist told me I had ulcerative colitis, I had no clue what it was," Slocum said. "You don't feel like eating because everything goes straight through you."

Slocum continued, "My stomach cramped, and some days arthritis ran through my joints and I literally could not get out of bed. I felt like a 60-year-old man, and I was (only) 24."

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that affects millions of people around the world on a daily basis. Yet, for the most part, the disease is still relatively unknown throughout all four corners of the world.

As the disease causes regular inflammation within the large intestine, patients generally experience a wide array of symptoms, including, but not limited to, severe weight loss, malnutrition, and arthritis.

The disease is not currently curable, yet it can be treated through a vast supply of medications, including steroids, immunosuppressants, and biological therapy.

Eventually, through proper treatment, Slocum slowly regained the weight he had lost over the period of a few months. After a year-and-a-half recovery, he was able to join the Buy.Com Tour (Nationwide Tour) once again as a full-time member in 2001.

The season would eventually be remembered as his greatest to date, as he attained three victories on the tour and earned an automatic, battlefield promotion to the PGA TOUR, which is granted only to Nationwide members who successfully claim three Tour victories in a single season.

Since 2001, Slocum has continuously found success on the golf course. With four PGA TOUR victories thus far, including last year's The Barclays (a FedEx Cup Playoffs tournament in which he defeated Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, and Padraig Harrington by one stroke) and this past week's McGladrey Classic, Slocum has certainly risen above his illness. During the last nine years, he has utilized his golfing talent to not only attain multiple trophies, but to also raise awareness of multiple digestive disorders that are impacting the lives of millions of sufferers throughout the globe.

As a national spokesperson for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Slocum has obviously not forgotten about the illness that nearly killed him more than ten years ago. While Slocum continues to use his golfing achievements in a positive manner on the golf course, more and more individuals will begin to understand the assortment of diseases that have greatly influenced so many people in recent years.

For Heath Slocum, the attainment of yet another PGA TOUR victory is far more significant than the prize money and recognition he receives - it is a sign of what he has already overcome off of the golf course in past years...and what he will continue to face during the coming years.

For more information on ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, please visit www.ccfa.org (the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America).

Heath Slocum's PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour Titles

2010 McGladrey Classic

2009 The Barclays

2005 Southern Farm Bureau Classic

2004 Chrysler Classic of Tucson

2001 BUY.COM Greater Cleveland Open, BUY.COM Knoxville Open, BUY.COM Omaha Classic (Nationwide Tour)

2010 Ryder Cup - Dramatic Finish, Familiar Result...But, Why?

~ After a legendary, stellar Ryder Cup career, Colin Montgomerie has continued to build upon his success as the captain of this year's winning European squad ~

As Hunter Mahan flubbed his second shot on the par-three 17th hole during the final match of the 2010 Ryder Cup, the results of this year's biennial event had finally been realized - as Team Europe claimed yet another Ryder Cup.

With nine victories in the last thirteen Ryder Cups, Team Europe has undoubtedly dominated the most well-known competition in the golfing world throughout the last decade.

But, how did the Europeans survive Team USA's Monday singles comeback? What led them to have a commanding lead over the Americans prior to the singles matches? How were they able to overcome such harsh weather conditions and continuous weather delays with patience, class, perseverance, and awe-inspiring golf?

In order to determine the methodology behind Team Europe's recent victory, it is important to review, analyze, and grade the performances of each individual member from the team that brought the Cup back to Europe once again.

Team Europe

Luke Donald (3-1-0) A -

Donald continues to prove that he is one of the most consistent and reliable members of Team Europe in recent history. His 6-0-0 lifetime foursomes record is among the best of all time. With his immaculate short game, Donald defeated Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton, as well as Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods in both of his foursomes matches. He also won his singles match against Jim Furyk. His only loss? A fourballs match against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton during the opnening session of the matches.

Ross Fisher (2-2-0) B -

As a Ryder Cup rookie, Fisher defeated the likes of Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, and Dustin Johnson. His main blemish in an otherwise successful week? A 3&2 loss to Jeff Overton during Monday's singles matches. A typically steady golfer, Fisher struggled to attain birdies and to minimize bogies throughout his loss to Overton.

Peter Hanson (1-2-0) C

As another Ryder Cup rookie, Hanson struggled to find his form throughout the week's matches with a loss against Phil Mickelson in singles and a loss against Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods in a foursomes match. Aside from being a member of the winning Ryder Cup squad, Hanson's most noticeable gain during the week was his fourballs victory against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton on Sunday.

Padraig Harrington (2-2-0) C+

Two years ago, Harrington was arguably the hottest golfer on the planet with two consecutive major championship victories at the British Open and PGA Championship. Since then, Harrington has struggled to find the form that helped him attain three major championship titles in two years. During the 2010 Ryder Cup, Harrington's inconsistent form was, at times, noticeable as he lost his singles match against Zach Johnson on Monday, as well as a fourballs match against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (2-1-0) B

The Mechanic once again displayed a solid performance in the Ryder Cup with victories against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. The reserved, well-experienced Spaniard showed once again that he is a quiet leader who is able to motivate others through his actions, rather than his words. Like Montgomerie, he certainly has the experience, resolve, and respect from his peers that is necessary in order to captain a European squad in the future.

Martin Kaymer (2-1-1) B +

Prior to his victory at the 2010 PGA Championship, few golf fans knew who Martin Kaymer was. Now, as a major champion, Kaymer's confidence on the golf course is certainly undeniable. As a Ryder Cup rookie, Kaymer played like a veteran throughout the course of this year's matches. With victories against Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, and Dustin Johnson in fourballs matches, Kaymer showed why he is currently one of the highest ranked golfers in the world. His only dissapointment during the week was his 6&5 singles loss against Dustin Johnson on Monday.

Graeme McDowell (2-1-1) A -

When McDowell finally reflects on his golfing career one day, he may indeed remember his 2010 season as the finest of his career. With an emotional Father's Day victory in the U.S. Open, contested at Pebble Beach, and the opportunity to clinch the Ryder Cup with his singles win against Hunter Mahan, McDowell had a career year in 2010 - the type of season that most golfers are only able to dream about. With consistent and courageous play throughout the week, McDowell showed the golfing world that he is not a one-hit wonder. Golf fans should expect more magical moments from McDowell during the coming years.

Rory McIlroy (1-1-2) B

At times, it is hard to believe that one of the highest ranked golfers in the world, McIlroy, is only 21-years-old. With a victory at this year's Quail Hollow Championship on the PGA TOUR and last year's Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour, McIlroy has shown that he is destined for golfing greatness, even at such a young age. Despite the 2010 Ryder Cup being his first appearance in the matches, McIlroy was able to attain a crucial half-point against Stewart Cink during Monday's singles matches. While his overall record in the 2010 Ryder Cup was not astonishing, it seems that McIlroy will be one of Team Europe's brightest stars well into the future.

Edoardo Molinari (0-1-2) C -

Throughout the last three months, Molinari claimed the first two European victories of his career - the Barclays Scottish Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Prior to arriving at Celtic Manor Resort for the first Ryder Cup matches of his career, he was certainly feeling confident about his game and about the victories he had attained in July and August. For whatever reason, that confidence did not translate to success on the golf course this past week. However, he was still able to halve two of his matches - a sign that he will likely be prepared for future success in any upcoming Ryder Cup matches that he participates in.

Francesco Molinari (0-2-1) D+

In the meantime, Edoardo's younger brother Francesco was unable to find his form during this week's matches as well. While partnering with his brother during Sunday's fourballs matches, Francesco obtained a half point for Team Europe - the only bright moment that he had on the golf course, aside from being a member of the winning team, of course. As a winner of one European Tour event, Molinari will likely continue to improve his standings in the World Golf Rankings in the future, as he strives to attain more victories across the Atlantic.

Ian Poulter (3-1-0) A -

With a victory at this year's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Poulter finally claimed his first PGA TOUR tournament back in February. Despite his lack of PGA TOUR titles, Poulter always plays his best during the Ryder Cup, much like this year's European captain, Colin Montgomerie. No matter how golf fans feel about Poulter's style and mannerisms on the golf course, no one can deny his phenomenal record in the Ryder Cup - 9-1-0. As Poulter's career continues, there is hardly any doubt that he will earn a larger collection of PGA TOUR titles, contend for major championship trophies, and become a reliable leader for Team Europe well into the unforeseeable future.

Lee Westwood (2-1-1) B+

As a mainstay for Team Europe since 1997, Lee Westwood always plays some of his best golf during the Ryder Cup, much like Sergio Garcia, Montgomerie, and Poulter. This week was surely no exception as Westwood claimed two-and-a-half points for Team Europe in spite of his loss to Steve Stricker during Monday's singles match. Recently, he has become one of golf's most elite players and a regular contender for major championships. If his recent second-place finishes in the 2010 Masters and Open Championship are of any indication, Westwood will be one of next year's favorites to claim his first (and well-deserved) major championship title.

Led by Colin Montogmerie, one of the most successful Ryder Cup performers in the entire history of the competition, Team Europe did not fail to show the entire sporting world why the team should now be the pre-tournament favorite prior to every Ryder Cup. Surely, nine victories in the last thirteen matches are no fluke. Rather, each victory has been attained through the proper combination of team work, team unity, patriotism, and sportsmanship. Once again, Team Europe found a way to attain the hardware, despite the fact that they typically appear to be underdogs prior to the start of the matches.

Recent Ryder Cup Results

2010 - Team Europe defeats Team USA 14 1/2 to 13 1/2

2008 - Team USA defeats Team Europe 16 1/2 to 11 1/2

2006 - Team Europe defeats Team USA 18 1/2 to 9 1/2

2004 - Team Europe defeats Team USA 18 1/2 to 9 1/2

2002 - Team Europe defeats Team USA 15 1/2 to 12 1/2