Samuel G. Puryear - Diamonds in the Rough: The Shining Success Story of Inspiration, Faith and Hope in East Lake

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

(Psalm 107:8-9)

There are so many wonderful people that I would love to acknowledge because they enabled me to try to be the best version of myself. Before I thank anyone on the outside of the Puryear household, I have to thank those who resided inside. I definitely have to thank my family.

I am very appreciative of my three children. Tony, Brooke, and Cameron were absolutely amazing during this unscripted journey through East Lake. They sacrificed me, their lives, and our time. They shared their vacations with the East Lake family. They ate a plethora of meals without me. They served as my backbone in allowing me to chase my dreams. I also realized I missed a lot of little league basketball games, and I unfortunately was tardy to different events during a lot of developmental years.

Brooke and I did have a great run while I served as her little league basketball coach in Lilburn, Georgia. We went undefeated for two consecutive years and Brooke learned a lot. It manifested when she played and started on her high school basketball team. It was fun watching Cameron play soccer through snow flurries living in Michigan and watching her play hoops in middle school in Charlotte. It was incredible to fly in and watch Tony play four years of college football at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. I tried to find a balance. I felt as if God held my hand. He ordered my steps. My family and I still have conversations about the good ole days. The kids are always excited to see them. My son and several of the boys are in regular contact.

My youngest daughter, Cameron, always looked up to the East Lake boys as big brothers. In her mind, she had more big brothers than any of her friends. I would also like to thank my parents, Samuel G. Puryear, Sr. and Barbara W. Puryear. Many of the disciplines that I carried to Atlanta were derived from what I learned at home. I never needed a television role model. My two role models resided in my house. They instilled in me that my actions spoke volumes but my mouth only uttered words. I was also taught that it is always better to give than receive.

I would definitely like to thank my brother Eric. He has had an incredible personal and professional career. He has coached football at several high schools and universities. He is also a wonderful father. I have leaned on him for advice and transparency when Ive needed it. I actually give him the credit for me becoming a collegiate golf coach. During one of our regular conversations, he referenced the golf coach at his university. He laughed and said, Man, you should get into college coaching. He said you deal with bigger budgets, know the game better, and you can relate to diverse groups of kids. He said, You would win on this level. I guess he knew what he was talking about or at least thats what my six championship rings signify.

I definitely have to thank several coaches and true experts in their chosen field. These people gave me their most valuable resource, which is time. I listened, learned, and adapted. I must start by thanking my collegiate coach Dr. Catana Starks. Coach Starks gave me the framework and a working blueprint of what successful collegiate golf coaches look like. I have to thank Stanford University Head Coach Conrad Ray for giving me an opportunity. He realized that I was a nontraditional selection, but he had the courage to hire a guy who could really help his program at Stanford. I had come out of the junior golf ranks and I was an African American. There arent many guys like Conrad in the collegiate ranks. I also have to thank Hall of Fame NFL Coach Bill Walsh. He allowed me an opportunity to pick his brain. I definitely have to thank NFL and NCAA Coach Tyrone Willingham. Coach Willingham has been an amazing mentor. He is the true definition of selfless. He is always honest and transparent with me. He doesnt tell me what he thinks I want to hear. He makes himself available and he has answered my calls and given his time trying to help me navigate the complex world of collegiate athletics and life. I definitely have to thank my golfing mentor Ed Mitchell and Ed Mitchell Technologies. He has helped increase my golf IQ in the world of golf equipment and performance. These beautiful people also allowed me to slide in a deluge of personal questions. I am always trying to create a better version of myself. I will forever be grateful for their time and assistance.

I would also like to thank a bunch of the volunteers and friends that played an integral role in my success. Pastor Fred Hartley, Rocky Rief, Mrs. Janet and Mr. Willie, Laura Tyson Puryear, Kim Woulard, Melissa Delaquis, Bobby Daugherty, Mike Perpich, Jeff Taylor, Mike Myers, my TSU contingent, Chris Freak Hayes and family, Drewski Love Morton, Gladys Torres, Snowbird and Tracy and the kids, volunteers during Tour Championship week, Sedrick Jackson, Evelyn Thompson, Tosha Arriola, Tony Smith, Sharon Thomas, Andrew Afflick, Nyre Williams, Sheldon Holloway, Jeff Dunovant, Teresa and Tatia Ross, the East Lake Board, the East Lake Junior Golf Academy Board, Dr. Carter at Southside, R. C. Pruit, the entire YMCA family, the entire East Lake Foundation family (old and new), East Lake Golf Club, Mr. Cousins, Charlie Harrison, Tom Wamsley, LPGA players Kim Williams and Stephanie Louden, the American Junior Golf Family, Drew Riefenberger, Phil Sharpe, Chris Millard, my friends in Louisville, Beth Espy, Kestrel Communication, Bobby Reardon (deceased), Ned Simon, Guy Harris, Leon Gilmore, Scarlett Pressley-Brown, John Anthony (deceased), April Lloyd, Chris Tucker, Norris Tucker, Tammy Tucker, Ray Grant and his family, Byron Williams, Cindy Chenier, Sid Corum, Lee and Sharon Elder, Shawn Huff and his family, Lew Horne, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, Robert Muhammad and family, the folks in Ebony Hills, Marcus Polk, Terry Powers, the local Atlanta golf community, the PGA Superstore family, Ted Pio Roda, Redo, Regina, Dave Shaw, Cathy Hampton and the folks at U.S. Franchise Systems, Sharon Thomas, George at the Barber Shop, Hustleman, and your boy Big Block.