Tommy Gainey Swaps Two Gloves for Two Ears at the Chubb Classic
By Doug Milne
NAPLES, Fla. – A widely shared belief that transcends all levels of life is that one’s best chance for sound learning and success is by remaining silent…listening.
Since turning 50 last August, Tommy Gainey has put serious back spin on the “Two Gloves” moniker by which he was affectionately known and swapped it for two ears.
These days, the savvy South Carolinian is all ears. As he prepares for his first start in this week’s Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO – and 11th overall on the PGA TOUR Champions – he couldn’t be more excited…or grateful.
“It's a privilege and honor to be out here,” he said. “I'm playing with great guys. That's the first thing. And I'm playing with legends. I can call them legends because I've seen their careers, how they’ve played and how they’ve interacted with fans over the years. So, it's pretty cool that I'm out here now and get to play alongside them every week I’m in a PGA TOUR Champions field.”
After emerging from the Coastal Carolina Technical College scene prior to his 1997 start on TOUR, Gainey was an assembly line worker in South Carolina. Once he established himself as a regular on the PGA TOUR, in over 200 starts, he found the winner’s circle at the 2012 RSM Classic. He has also mixed in a number of starts on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“I had a lot of fun with the really good players on the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour,” he said. “Both of those Tours got me ready to be successful out here. I owe a lot to both of those tours for helping get me ready. That applies to the players, too. I really am appreciative of the fact that my game was good enough to hold up against those guys.”
In preparation for the PGA TOUR Champions, which began for him late last season, Gainey spent time preparing on both the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour. In addition to trying to recalibrate an impressive game for the PGA TOUR Champions, he soaked up as much advice as he could get. What emerged from that – above all else – was gratitude.
“There is a lot for me to learn, and these guys out here are not afraid to sit you down and give you advice,” Gainey said. “And, I'm not afraid to ask for it. Just being the new guy here, why wouldn't I ask for it? They’ve been out here. They played all these courses. They've been around the block, so to speak. So, I'm looking forward to picking some brains.”
So far, so good. In his first-ever start on the PGA TOUR Champions, Gainey opened with back-to-back 6-under 64s at the Rogers Charity Classic, resulting in a T5 finish. Four starts later, Gainey descended upon North Florida where he won the CONSTELLATION Furyk & Friends at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville.
In his first start this season, Gainey finished 11th at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
“I’ve been through a lot of stuff,” he said. “From when I first got on TOUR to where I am now, we’re talking about a rollercoaster ride. But, everything that happens does so for a reason. I'm stronger now than I was, and God has had a front seat for all of it.”
Even with the prospect of an exciting and new extension to his golfing career on the horizon, Gainey remains humbly grounded in who it is he wishes to ride off into the sunset with.
“My wife, Erin, and our two kids are what’s most important to me,” Gainey said. “I’ve got a 17-year-old about to graduate high school and play college golf. We also have an 11-year-old. Everything I do now is for them. It used to be all about me, but now, it’s all about family. Everything I do is try to secure a good future for them. God has blessed me with the ability to be really good at golf, to really make a difference. I would love to do that.”
Gainey comes from a place where respect and appreciation are the norm. And, with this week’s Chubb Classic poised to celebrate its 40-year-anniversary next year, those qualities of his ring out first and foremost.
“The relationships sponsors like Chubb have with the players are huge,” Gainey said. “The players respect this tournament enough to where they want to play it. You can't have good sponsors without the support from players and fans supporting them and the tournaments. So, it's on us to make the tournaments better. When you have a title like Chubb sponsoring an event about to turn 40, that tells me they like what they get out of sponsoring the event. The players support it. They support their foundation, their charities, whatever they might have. Without the sponsors, we don't have a tournament. That is just cut and dry.”
A perfectly read putt, indeed.
If the history of his first 10 PGA TOUR Champions starts is any indication, Gainey’s propensity to listen, seek advice and learn will serve him well. But, it isn’t just out here, surrounded by many of the games’ biggest legends that keeps Gainey focused. Dad’s doing the same thing at home.
“My kids aren’t taking money from dad yet,” Gainey laughed. “My 17-year-old is pretty good. It won't be long before he's able to beat me. He is really competitive now against me. He's got a lot of growing up to do, but when he gets his golf management straightened out, he's going to start shooting some numbers like I do.”
Tommy “two ears” Gainey tees off No. 1 Friday at 11:17 a.m. with Tim O’Neal and Alex Cejka.
