- Michael Block became an overnight sensation for his play at the PGA Championship.
- He is not playing in the US Open, but his story is still impacting many, including fellow golfers.
Michael Block went from local golf pro to overnight cult hero, a remarkable journey that was fueled by inspiration he found in fatherhood.
Block, a 46-year-old local PGA professional, was the biggest story at the recent PGA Championship, where he went toe-to-toe with the world's best golfers, many much younger than him. While his 15th-place finish as a long-shot underdog was great, his happy-go-lucky personality made him an instant star among golf fans.
Block failed to qualify for this week's US Open, but his influence is still felt among fans and his fellow golfers.
Block, who has the phrase "Why not?" on his golf balls, explained the origin of the marking before the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Block said it started as a happy face just after his kids were born.
"I was a very frustrated golfer, as many are," Block told the media during a press conference. "I would get very frustrated on the golf course. And I just had children, two boys ... and I didn't want to demonstrate this to my boys whatsoever. I wanted to be a good role model to my children. So I actually started writing happy faces on my golf ball just to try to get me in a good mood even when I did not execute a shot."
—Trey Herring (@TreyBreezy17) May 19, 2023
Block knows a parent's most important role is being there for their kid
While the smiley faces later morphed into his personal golfing mantra, one phrase in that quote stood out to me: "I wanted to be a good role model to my children."
I have two pre-teen children, and they are getting to an age where they are starting to push boundaries and rebel a bit. But as a parent, it can sometimes be easy to forget that these are all natural things, and we push back because we think we know better than they do.
When I read that quote from Block, it hit me that at some point, I had started to be less of a parent and more of a boss, a role that encourages more rebellion, more distance, and even some resentment. Instead, I needed to go back to guiding them by my actions, be there when they need me, and stop when they need to figure things out on their own.
In other words, Block reminded me that it is far more important to be a role model for my kids.
Block also suggested this when he discussed why he would not pursue a career as a full-time professional golfer on the PGA Tour, even though he is probably good enough to do so.
"No, I don't want to play any tours," the 46-year-old told Golf.com after his appearance at the PGA Championship. "I just want to come out and compete when I'm around and then go back to my club and hang out with my family."
Block is also inspiring his fellow golfers
Block's commitment to his children and family is not the only thing still resonating weeks later. He is also helping the world's best golfers put things into perspective.
Three-time major championship winner Jordan Spieth spoke about what he learned watching Block at the PGA Championship.
"He talked about it after as like, 'You'll look back and think of a couple of weeks in your life, and this may be one of the best ones I've had.'" Spieth told the media. "It's like, man, we get to do that every week. I think if you can kind of help keep that perspective and be a little more like Michael Block week to week, it would be a good thing for all of us."
Spieth added that it is easy for long-time PGA Tour golfers to forget it is a game and not just a job.
"I've always talked about the most important thing for me is trying to remember that it's a game and I want to be who I was when I was 14, 15 years old," Spieth said, later adding: "It's just the way his demeanor was on and off the course, the way he talked about it. That's what I meant in we could all use a little Michael Block. Those of us that have been out here a long time and get caught up in the complaining route. I was told that happened the first few years, and I never thought it would be me, and then I catch myself sometimes. Just we got it pretty good."