Darren Clarke the people’s choice. Until now Clarke had not won a major championship and he doesn’t look like a celebrity and or a professional athlete … so what is the draw? So, why did the crowd want Clarke to win? Clarke has not lived the fairytale life, and he’s not wrapped up in a high-society lifestyle. His story is grounded in perseverance to make his dream come true. Clark has the draw of the common man. Clark is a former rugby player, cigar smoking, overweight, wine drinking, bartender from Northern Island with a bad attitude. After his wife Heather was diagnosed and then died from breast cancer Clarke looked at life a little differently and decided to make some changes. He’s dropped 30 lbs, and the bad attitude. He has truly become the “normal bloke.”
It would be easy to say that he’s the people’s choice because of his love of food, beer and fast cars but Clarke has shown us more. Perseverance is one, Integrity the other. Clarke’s grey hair is partly due to his hard life. From running out of a bar just before the bomb flattened it, to his wife dying. Upon accepting the British Open Title he thanked those closest to him and gave us some personal insight.. “It’s been a dream since I’ve been a kid to win the Open, like any kid’s dream is, and I’m able to do it, which just feels incredible.”
When times were rough his wife Heather told him to keep going, and not give up. When Heather was sick she insisted that he play in the Ryder Cup. She always believed in him and encouraged him. With Heather by his side he never gave up. After she died his manager became his cheerleader. So through perseverance he continued. After his wife died he was asked how he kept going. His response was ” I will get myself through this week….I’ll get myself through next week and the week after that and the one after that. That is what I’ll keep doing and at some point I’ll be alright.”
Even though he never won a major tournament he just kept trying, he never gave up. Even though he never won he is often referred to as an inspirational force to others who did win. Well this week in Sandwich England, his dreams came true, his perseverance paid off and he accomplished his childhood dream.
Clarke taught us all to keep going, to keep trying, one week or a day at a time. To keep our dreams and to keep working toward them. Because one day, maybe when we least expect it.. our dreams will come true and it will feel great.
