FAIRMONT — As a member of the Fairmont High School golf team, Jared Parker spends many a day playing Fairmont Golf Course.
But he’s never caddied — much less caddied for a PGA Tour golfer.
Parker had that chance on Thursday during a free golf clinic hosted by Fairmont native William McGirt.
“I enjoyed the opportunity,” said Parker, one of three golfers from Fairmont High School who had the chance to caddy for McGirt for a few holes.
“It’s impossible to me (to understand) how someone could be that good. It means a lot for him to come to Fairmont and support his home golf course.”
More than 60 people gathered at the course to hear from the current 78th player in the FedEx Cup standings, hanging on every word the PGA golfer said.
McGirt started the event mingling with old friends, signing autographs and taking pictures as attendees took advantage of the opportunity to try out some demo clubs from a Srixon representative.
He then hit a bucket of balls, fielding more questions, reminiscing on his time in Robeson County and his experiences on the PGA Tour.
“It’s fun to be able to come and give back to everyone that’s followed me and supported me for all these years,” McGirt said. “It’s good being able to spend some time here because I’m usually in one day and out the next. I enjoyed giving people a chance to ask questions up close and personal.”
The questions ranged from his different practice routines to his relationships with some of the PGA Tour’s elite golfers. One participant asked about his exercise habits, pointing out that McGirt appeared to be slimmer, to which he jokingly said, “It’s by accident, not by choice. Unless you count chasing a 2-year-old around as exercise.”
McGirt has carried his weight in four seasons on the tour, pocketing $4,613,209 during that time. This season, he’s earned $708,207, and currently sits at 78th in the FedEx Cup standings.
With seven events remaining before the FedEx Cup playoffs, McGirt will look to make the playoffs for a fifth-straight season. He’s still looking for his first win on tour and will have a chance at claiming that elusive victory in next week’s RBC Canadian Open — a tournament in which he has finished second twice.
Following the Q&A and clinic session, participants loaded up in golf carts and followed McGirt as he played four holes on the course where he grew up honing his skills.
While it was a familiar sight in terms of location, McGirt noticed some differences as he walked the course formerly known as Flag Tree.
“I think I’ve played here once since college,” McGirt said. “It’s a lot different from what I remember. Everything is a lot better. I hit that wedge shot on No. 11 and thought, ‘Man, what’s that flying up.’ It was grass with roots. I was used to playing out here, watching the divot explode like it came out of a fairway bunker. The golf course has come a long way. “
Walking toward the green on No. 11 — his final hole of the day — McGirt had a chance to finish with a birdie as the small gallery looked on, hoping for a chance to erupt.
He didn’t disappoint, earning a round of applause after draining the putt to finish 1 under. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with laughs, memories and some golf.
“It’s just neat that so many people came out for this,” he said. “It was way more (people) than I expected. I had fun. I saw people I haven’t seen in 10 or 15 years. It was just like old times.”
