Taking a swing into Austin; A pair of the best golfers to come out of Austin return for clinic
Published 10:59 am Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Conrad Ray, left, and Jon Chaffee speak at the Karl Potach Memorial golf tournament in Austin Country Club Monday. — Photos by Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Two of the best golfers to come out of Austin were on hand to offer some advice at the Karl Potach Memorial Tournament at the Austin Country Club Monday.
Conrad Ray, the head men’s golf coach at Stanford University, a Pacelli grad, tees off during a demonstration at the Karl Potach Memorial tournament in Austin Country Club Monday.
Jon Chaffee, a former PGA golfer, and Conrad Ray, the head men’s golf coach at Stanford, were both on hand to offer an hour long clinic before the tournament. Ray, a Pacelli Catholic Schools graduate, makes it to the Potach tournament about once every four or five years and he’s always glad to come back to Austin, where his parents still live.
“I spent more hours in the Austin Country Club Fairways or in the rough than any other place in my career,” he said. “To see all of the friendly faces here, it’s a neat deal.”
Karl Potach succumbed to cancer in 1997 at age 4 and the memorial tournament is in its 18th year. The money the tournament raises is given to cancer research in the area.
“To see how much great work that this tournament has done for cancer research in the area is really a special thing to see,” Ray said. “I’ve got young kids myself and thinking about that, this is definitely an event I love being here for.”
Chaffee said the support the community showed on Monday was a great thing for Austin.
“It’s tremendous that the town supports this so well,” he said. “It’s such a great cause. Karl was a great young man who left the Earth much too soon. This is a great way to remember him and support a great charity.”
Ray grew up as a golfer looking up to Chaffee. He was glad to get the chance to work with him on Monday.
Jon Chaffee chips a shot during a demonstration.
“He’s a legend in Austin and he’s such a great student of the game,” Ray said of Chafee. “I’ve learned a lot from him and to be up here with him talking about a game I love is a lot of fun and an honor.”
Chaffee said he’s equally impressed with what Ray has done in the game of golf.
“It was fun to watch Conrad when he was playing [when he was younger]. For him to go on and coach at Stanford is exciting,” Chaffee said. “I think he could’ve done it no matter what, but it’s nice that he does remember me.”
Ray has coached Stanford for 11 years and led the team to the NCAA title in 2007. Ray was also a member of the 1994 Stanford team that won the NCAA title.
Chaffee golfed at the University of Texas and played in more than 100 PGA tour events.
