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“I Wanted Kids to Have the Same Opportunity”- $1.58 Million Winner Rickie Fowler Is a Proud Son After Paving a Path For the ‘Next Generation’ of Golfers

Published 07/13/2023, 6:30 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

After marking a return to the winner’s circle after a four-year drought, Rickie Fowler is finally on the right track. His recent win at Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, has not only earned him a victory but also helped him achieve what he really loves. 

Fowler won the $1.58 Million tournament in a playoff over Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin on July 2. Thereafter, he got to do something extraordinary that he always wished to do.

Rickie Fowler buys his childhood range for a noble cause

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Fowler started practicing the sport when he was a kid. His grandfather used to accompany him to the Murrieta Valley Golf Range which is about 90 minutes south of Los Angeles, so that he could practice golf there and bring forward his passion too.

At the age of 12, Fowler became a scratch golfer with all the hard efforts that he had put into his practice. Soon after, he got various chances to showcase his skills, and with all the efforts that he has put in to becoming what he is today, he thought to give it back to the range.

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via Reuters

That’s when, 30 years later, the 34-year-old golfer finally purchased and took ownership of his childhood range. In an email, he revealed to GolfWeek: “My dad used to deliver the sand for maintenance and gravel for the parking lot in exchange for me to hit balls.”

The 5-time PGA Tour winner also mentioned how close the range is for him. “I always wanted the range to be around and it to be open for the next generation,” Fowler further expressed “I wanted kids to have the same opportunity as me if they were interested.”

His statement and his love for the range may bring in some new changes for the betterment of the range as he moves forward with them.

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Fowler’s plans for the newly purchased range

Years ago, Bill Teasdall who was a mini-tour player, licensed the land to open a 50-stall range. Along with his best friend Barry McDonnell (who is an instructor), he was on a mission to get young talent to the PGA Tour. That’s how Fowler got a chance to perform on a professional level.

Now that he is the owner of the range, Fowler wishes to keep the range as it is. According to his statement, there are still individuals who manage the range with the same enthusiasm, and he wants to devote his time with them to discuss new options for improving it. He also wishes to spend more time here once the current season settles down.

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Watch This Story: ‘I’m Going to Stick With Rickie’: Moments Before the $8,800,000 Event, Paige Spiranac Reveals Why Rickie Fowler Is the Most Dangerous Competitor

Well, the Rocket Morgage Classic turned out to be Fowler’s luckiest tournament since he gained what he wanted the most. What are your thoughts on Fowler buying the course that he spent his childhood playing golf? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Alisha Kotadia

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One take at a time

Alisha is a fresh EssentiallySports writer who was recruited in the latest ‘ES Draft’ round. Although she is in her early days, her act of putting the sport to paper is commendable. She is building herself up to be a powerhouse when it comes to coverage of the sport.
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Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

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