Barry Maggert, brother of the golf pro Jeff Maggert, died yesterday. He lived in Carbondale, CO, and his plane crashed in the mountains on the way to his son's graduation. I've known Barry (and Jeff) for, oh jeez...maybe 20 years.
I've skied with Barry so many times I can't count. Our favorite run is The Burn at Snowmass. Or at least it used to be. Weaving thru the 100' tall pines, knee deep in powder, playing follow the leader. The best glade skiing in America.
I've been in his garage admiring all the golf clubs that his brother gave him. Two Rubbermaid trash cans full of clubs.
Barry always told me, "If you see something you like, just take it." I currently have two wedges in my bag that he gave to me. Hand ground to reduce the bounce. Jeff didn't like them. I'll play hand me downs from a PGA golfer anytime....
I will take those wedges out of my bag tomorrow. I will not use them for my regular Saturday foursome. I may never use them again.
Barry was as good a golfer as his brother, but it didn't excite him.
I watched Barry shoot 69 from the tips, at Riverplace CC in Austin, only to hear him tell me that it's his architecture business that gets his blood boiling, not golf.
He loved his family. He was a great father. I was never close to the boys, as they were always in school when Barry would find time to head to the slopes for a weekend, always inviting me.
I have flown with him in the worst of weather many times. Not because he was a daredevil, but because he was a damned good pilot, and we had an agenda.
The agenda was skiing. As good a golfer as Barry was, he didn't want to compete on a stage like his brother does. He wanted his own life and world.
Barry was the best skier I have ever been around. He taught me to worship the powder days. He taught me to sit back in the saddle, point the skis downhill, and to use my poles.
Lord, please take care of the family.
And for those of you who have never driven thru Glenwood Canyon, well, you need to put it on the list of things to do before you die.
I miss you Barry, and I will always morn the 8th of May.
Sadly, I will see you this weekend, one last time.
I've skied with Barry so many times I can't count. Our favorite run is The Burn at Snowmass. Or at least it used to be. Weaving thru the 100' tall pines, knee deep in powder, playing follow the leader. The best glade skiing in America.
I've been in his garage admiring all the golf clubs that his brother gave him. Two Rubbermaid trash cans full of clubs.
Barry always told me, "If you see something you like, just take it." I currently have two wedges in my bag that he gave to me. Hand ground to reduce the bounce. Jeff didn't like them. I'll play hand me downs from a PGA golfer anytime....
I will take those wedges out of my bag tomorrow. I will not use them for my regular Saturday foursome. I may never use them again.
Barry was as good a golfer as his brother, but it didn't excite him.
I watched Barry shoot 69 from the tips, at Riverplace CC in Austin, only to hear him tell me that it's his architecture business that gets his blood boiling, not golf.
He loved his family. He was a great father. I was never close to the boys, as they were always in school when Barry would find time to head to the slopes for a weekend, always inviting me.
I have flown with him in the worst of weather many times. Not because he was a daredevil, but because he was a damned good pilot, and we had an agenda.
The agenda was skiing. As good a golfer as Barry was, he didn't want to compete on a stage like his brother does. He wanted his own life and world.
Barry was the best skier I have ever been around. He taught me to worship the powder days. He taught me to sit back in the saddle, point the skis downhill, and to use my poles.
Lord, please take care of the family.
And for those of you who have never driven thru Glenwood Canyon, well, you need to put it on the list of things to do before you die.
I miss you Barry, and I will always morn the 8th of May.
Sadly, I will see you this weekend, one last time.
