Coach's Comments I started working with Grady in 2001, and I got to watch him develop during his high school years at Fort Defiance where he was an  integral part of a State Championship team in 2002. Then Grady became a standout player at Bridgewater College where he was All-ODAC (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) every year from 2004 through 2007. His four college seasons all rank in the top six for scoring average in Bridgewater history, which gave him the career scoring record as well. Grady was a big part of Bridgewater's emergence as a very competitive Division III school. When Grady graduated in the spring of 2007 he decided that he was not done with competition, that he wanted to play golf for a living, so he signed up for his first professional event in October 2007. I was there when Grady birdied the first hole he played as a pro, and we were having dinner on Halloween night in Daytona when it was confirmed that he made the cut in his first tournament. Grady continued to mature and strengthen his game on th e Hooters Winter Series, and eventually qualified in May 2008 for a spot in a regular season Hooters tournament at Lake Chesdin near Richmond, Virginia. He shot 74-73 to miss the cut by two shots, but held his own against a former PGA Tour player and Virginia State Open champ he was paired with. He is now working at Lakeview and preparing for tournaments on the Carolina and Tarheel Tours. This is obviously an exciting time for Grady as he chases his dream. He is the first of my students to attempt playing tour golf, so I am proud and excited for him, and I hope to spend as much time as possible on the road supporting him. I will try to fill as man y roles as possible--coach, caddie, cook (but I'll get fired from this job), chauffeur--so that he can stay focused on hitting golf shots. It's a tough challenge to make it as a tour professional, but Grady has a long-term perspective; and there's one thing I know for sure--if it comes down to work ethic, Grady will definitely succeed. For the past 5 months Grady has been "full-time" at golf which means starting practice by 7 AM, taking a break to hit the gym in the middle of the day, and continuing his practice until evening--every day. His game has definitely gone to another level since college. He has shown the ability to frequently shoot in the mid-60s on our home course. Now it's time to take his show on the road and harden his game in competition. It will be an awesome journey. |
 "What more could I ask for than to be 22 years old and heading out to chase a dream? I'm thankful that Dad and Mom, and everyone else have been so supportive. They've made it possible for me to try to play golf for a living. What could be better than that?"
GRADY RUCKMAN |
| Highlights - Won 6 collegiate tournaments at Bridgewater, and came in second 3 times.
- Had 9 other top-10 finishes.
- Set the Bridgewater season scoring record in the 2006-2007 season (74.9)
- Also holds the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th lowest scoring averages per season in Bridgewater history.
- Set the Bridgewater career scoring record from 2003-2007 (75.9)
- Named to the All-ODAC team all four years of college.
- Was 8 under par in the 2007 Lakeview Club
Championship (through 36 holes), which he lost in a playoff to Timmy
Driver of James Madison University.
- Shot 63 twice at Lakeview, narrowly missing the course record.
- Birdied the first hole he played as a pro and
made his first cut on the LPGA Champions Course in Daytona, Florida in
October 2007
- Qualified for and narrowly missed the cut in his first Hooters Tour event in May 2008
|
Inspiration | Grady can look to another Bridgewater graduate for inspiration. David Branshaw turned pro in 1991 after a Division III All-American season at Bridgewater. Eleven years later he won a Nationwide Tour event, and in 2005 he won the Nationwide Tour Championship (finishing 7th on the money list that year). He has qualified for the PGA Tour in 2004, 2006, and 2007. In 2007, he was the third-round leader of the PGA Viking Classic and finished 5th. Branshaw is a perfect example of how a guy with enough perseverance and hard work can make it from a small school to the top tour in the world. |
Sponsoring Grady At the beginning levels of tour golf, competitors actually have to "buy" their way onto the tours. Each tournament on the Winter Tour costs between $700-$900 to enter, on top of all the normal expenses of life. If you'd like to help out by sending a gas card, a restaurant gift certificate, or even a little money to Grady, please send it care of his father: Gary Ruckman 4041 Dalt Drive
Harrisonburg, Va. 22801 We will keep you informed of Grady's progress this winter, and over the coming seasons. Even a note of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. You can reach Grady through his father, or through this website--just go to Contact John and I'll be glad to pass on your note. Thanks. |
 |