So, I gotta tell you about this whole tattoo thing I did. It’s about my grandpa, Gordon Bowley. Man, that guy was something else. He was a big deal in youth sports back in the day, and let me tell you, he had a huge impact on me. He was 85 when he passed away last April. It hit me hard, you know? We used to have these Sunday dinners, just the family, and I’d tell him about everything, especially my golf rounds. He was always there to listen, no matter what.
After he was gone, I felt like I needed to do something, something to remember him by. That’s when I decided to get a tattoo. Nothing fancy, just his initials, G.S.F.B., on my left arm. I got it done last summer. It’s a little reminder of him, you know? Someone who always believed in me, even when I was screwing up on the golf course. It took me a while to get to this point and actually, It’s funny, I got this tattoo way before I won anything significant in golf. I was just a rookie, trying to make my way, and yeah, I had some wins here and there, but nothing like the Mexico Open at Vidanta. That was a big one, my first PGA Tour win. It was wild. It all happened just this year, in 2024.
Every time I play, every round, I think of him. I always send him a text after each round, even after he passed. So after my first win, I sent him a text, saying “I finally did it,”.It’s like he’s still here with me, pushing me to do better. I remember all those times he’d give me advice, some I took, some I didn’t, but it all shaped me into who I am today. My parents, Jennifer and Robert, they get it. They knew how much he meant to me. And my older brother, he understands too. We all miss him like crazy.
This tattoo, it’s more than just ink. It’s a connection to my grandpa, a reminder of where I came from, and a push to keep going. It’s a story, my story, and he’s a big part of it.
- Got a tattoo of my grandpa’s initials after he died.
- He was a big influence on me, especially with golf.
- Won my first PGA Tour at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.
- Texted my grandpa after every round, even after he was gone.
- The tattoo is a reminder of him and his impact on my life.
Keeping Grandpa’s Memory Alive
You know, it’s tough losing someone you look up to. But having this little piece of him with me, it helps. It’s like he’s always cheering me on, even from the other side. And I hope I’m making him proud, wherever he is. And I keep pushing myself every single day, for me, and for him.
