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Mr. Michael Putnam and the US Open

At 7am, Michael Putnam hit the first golf shot of this year's United States Golf Championship, better known as the US Open. For many golfers, their ultimate dream is to hoist the championship trophy as the greatest golfer of the land. For most, this will be a mere impossibility as they would never be able to place at the top of the PGA Tour rankings or win any of the major US amateur golf tournaments that award an automatic spot in the tournament. Still, there are dreams.

I'll take Mr. Michael Putnam as an example. Thanks to the internet, I found out a few things about this upstanding gentleman that will certainly be lost in the grandness of this week's event:
  • Michael graduated from Pepperdine in 2005 as one of its most decorated players
  • He was a two-time All-American and Academic All-American in college golf
  • He is originally from Washington state and attended Christian academies
  • He qualified for the PGA Tour this year after finishing 17th on the money list on the Nationwide Tour last year
  • He is currently ranked 238th in the world, according to the Official World Golf Ranking
  • He also happened to be an all-state basketball player in Washington in his senior year of high school
As you can see from his background and resume, Mr. Michael Putnam is an outstanding individual who has achieved more than most can ever dream about achieving - and he likely will never come close to winning the US Open. That is no matter, though, because he represents the best that many of us can aspire to be, and he is living the dream as a PGA Tour golfer. And before we feel too bad for him, let's remember that even at 131st on the PGA Tour money list, he has already made nearly $280,000 this year in prize money this year.

Anyway, I hope to follow Mr. Michael Putnam and the other 155 players in their quests for fulfilling the ultimate dream. Good luck to all as they tee off at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the 107th playing of the US Open.

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