There are no easily available statistics across all sports, but professional golf arguably has a higher percentage of Christian players than most professional sports, especially on the US PGA Tour.
When 84-year-old Kermit Zarley played on that tour, he co-founded the PGA Tour Bible Study in 1965.
Sixty years later, it’s as strong as ever.
Players and caddies meet weekly, usually on Tuesdays, before every tournament for prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship.
“BIBLE IS CENTRAL FOCUS OF TOUR STUDY GROUP”
Kermit Zarley explains: “It is an evangelical group since many of its members share their faith with others.”
“These meetings have always been open to pros and their wives irrespective of religious affiliation.”
“The group has made the Bible its central focus. They believe in the risen Jesus of Nazareth as Saviour and Lord of their lives.”
“This fellowship has grown through the years.”
“And many of its members have been very successful players on the PGA Tour.“
HOW THE BIBLE STUDY BECAME AN INSTITUTION ON THE TOUR
The first meeting was held at the Whitemarsh Open in Philadelphia and attended by just seven people.
“There was no Christian presence on the PGA Tour, in the sense of a gathering, before we started the PGA Tour Bible Study,” Zarley told the New York Post.
“We would just post a sign in the clubhouse locker room saying where and when the meeting was that week.”
“There was never any resistance from the Tour officials.”
Today, it can be standing room only at the Bible Study with anywhere up to 100 people present, as players, their partners, caddies and officials come together to share prayers and testimonies, and discuss scripture.
WORLD’S CURRENT TOP GOLFER ACTIVE IN TOUR BIBLE STUDY
The current world number one Scottie Scheffler is a prominent member of this group.
Despite winning four majors by the age of 29, he has famously said: “The reason why I play golf is I’m trying to glorify God and all that He’s done in my life.”
“So for me, my identity isn’t a golf score.”
Other tournament winners have expressed similar views after their victories.
Scheffler teamed up with his trusted caddie and fellow Christian Ted Scott after they met at the Bible Study.
Scott previously carried the bag for another Christian star Bubba Watson and helped him to two majors.
MANY MAJOR WINNERS ARE CHRISTIANS
Other prominent Christians on the pro circuit in recent years have been major winners Phil Mickelson, Bernhard Langer, Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Wyndham Clark and Webb Simpson, as well as Australian Aaron Baddeley.
In the past they’ve included major winners Tom Lehman and the late Payne Stewart.
Kermit Zarley’s first book about Christian golfers has just been released.
It’s titled Christ on the PGA Tour (1965-1982) and covers the early years of the modern Christian movement on the regular PGA Tour.
A ‘MUSTARD SEED’ GROWS ON GOLF TOUR
Zarley writes: “This group on the PGA Tour has influenced other pro golf tours, such as the Champions Tour, the LPGA Tour, and in amateur golf”
“This spiritual movement reminds me of Jesus’ parable wherein He said:”
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree” (Matthew 13:31-32 NRSV).
The post Christianity On The US Golf Tour appeared first on Vision Christian Media.