Remaining in a sport he has loved since he could hold a club, Carthage native Trevor Freeman furthered his career this winter by accepting a PGA coaching position at The Park West Palm Beach, Fla.
“It was a dream,” Freeman said. “Golf is everything. I think people who play have a tenacity for life and (metaphorically speaking) like cleaning their room. If you don’t like that, you’re not going to do well. Coaching for me, taking that step into my career, brought back my fondest memories of when I first learned the game. I love it. I hope it adds something to their life. And I want to thank all the individuals who did that for me in Carthage – I’m going to pass it forward.”
Freeman represented Carthage High School on the golf team all four years under Coach Lowell Catron. After he graduated with the Class of 2008, he earned his degree in professional golf management with a minor in business from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2014.
While in college, he gained pro caddy experience with the LPGA Tour – caddying for players such as Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Jane Rah, Min Seo Kwak, Jennifer Song, Lindsey Weaver-Wright.
When it comes to pursuing your dreams, improving skills and personal growth, Freeman is a believer in surrounding yourself with the best. Excitement rose in the lefty’s voice as he described the West Palm Beach location where players like Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer once competed.
“I love Carl Sagan’s quote about reading the right books,” Freeman said. “Reading a lot is great but it’s just as important as where you read and what you pull from it. I try to read the right books and peer reviews to make good decisions. And that’s where coaching comes in, too.”
Freeman instructs kids ages 5-9 in The Park junior golf academy; which he describes as a fun challenge.
“At this age, you want them to learn how fun it is,” he said. “It’s a totally different dynamic, and I love seeing them investing in themselves rather than sitting in front of a screen.”
Speaking of screens, however, Freeman says it’s a thrilling time to see the technology enhancements impacting the world of golf. He watched Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in person at the 60-foot screen for the TGL indoor golf league simulator in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
The Park at West Palm offers a wide variety of athletic amenities, including a Top Tracer range.
“There’s something for everybody and world-class attention to detail,” Freeman said. “Every step I’ve ever taken in golf started in Carthage, and so I just thank my mentors from there. I’m keeping my cards from my former students who say things like ‘I wouldn’t have done this sport without you’ cause that’s how I feel about people in Carthage. I’m a coach today because of you.”
Freeman plans to return to Carthage for the Maple Leaf Festival this fall … which he noted is the best time of year to see his hometown community.
