Page 8 - Alabama Golf Association

10
My life and career in this country would have not been possible without the tremendous support and love of
my parents, Colin and Jane Thompson. Despite the thousands of miles between us, they have always been there for me and have supported me fully in all of my endeavors. It seems far too simple to say, but thank you Mum and Dad for believing in me. Twenty-six years ago they wished their oldest son goodbye
at Gatwick International Airport in London as I began this journey, some
of which is detailed in the About the Author section.
Other words of thanks, with my apologies to those I inadvertently leave out:
First and foremost to my beautiful and precious children, Brittany and Colin, who I love with all my heart.
To my brother, Neil, truly my best friend in all the world. And I’m now a very proud uncle to your son Remy. Well done to you and Christy!
The author, Ian Thompson, when he was inducted into the Birmingham Golf Association Hall of Fame.
To Lee Froedge, who has been like a second father to me.
A special word about the late Bill Crawford, who I proudly stood alongside for many years as we worked together on GolfSouth Magazine.
To the Alabama Golf Association’s staff and directors. Executive Director Buford McCarty has been a great champion of this book and my work on it. Thanks, Buford, for being my “second pair of eyes” as you looked over parts of the manuscript while offering encouragement and corrections; both were needed at times.
Fred Stephens and Larry Kniseley aren’t joined at the hip, but it sure seems that way sometimes. Two great Rules guys and even better people who are always there to help.
The Women’s Alabama Golf Association joined with the AGA in 2010. Their story is integral to this book and I thank the one and only Jean Miller for her wealth of knowledge and kind words. The same goes for Carol Lell, who was a huge help in getting me photos of so many of the key ladies and took a keen interest in the project.
To all the people I have interviewed for the book . . . thank you. The Alabama Golf Association is special to all of you and
Acknowledgments