PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Of the 35 different stories that one may write about PGA Professionals earning a berth in the 2008 Senior PGA Championship, Bob Boyd's has yet to be completed.
The 52-year-old Boyd, a PGA Life Member from Wilmington, N.C., did earn a trip to his first Senior PGA Championship. He finished tied for 15th, posting a 4-under-par 284, to clear the cut line by two strokes, Oct. 21, at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Boyd finished with a rock-solid, two-birdie, bogey-free 2-under-par 70 on a rainy final round in the 19th Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
But, Boyd knows that his journey back to a degree of normalcy in life has really just begun. He is a leukemia survivor, and "normalcy" has its own definition.
He had been so close to competing last May at Kiawah Island, S.C., in the 68th Senior PGA Championship, being granted an exemption by The PGA of America. But, his joy was short-lived when he learned the week of the Championship that leukemia had returned a second time.
"I was really feeling blue about then," said Boyd during a rain delay in the clubhouse. "I had felt that I was rid of cancer and was feeling strong. Then, I had to undergo the whole process again."
Boyd and his wife, Pam, have seen enough of the cancer unit in Chapel Hill, N.C., to describe the ceilings and walls by memory. When Boyd first learned of his disease, he spent 90 days in Chapel Hill, before receiving the miracle of a perfect match bone marrow donor.
He missed the entire 2006 golf season, yet made a steady recovery before a doctor called on May 1, and said that the white blood cells had returned quicker than expected. He needed to return for treatment. Boyd would spend an additional 38 days at Chapel Hill and received a second donor infusion on July 21.
"Chemotherapy will not kill 100 percent of the cancer," Boyd said. "I had to hope that the next infusion would be the answer to finally being in remission. Now, I am in a monitoring stage. The goal is to make it the next five years in remission. If I can get there, I might be through this."
Each day, Boyd says, is a blessing in itself. Nobody better understands that than someone who has experienced lying on the brink of death in a hospital bed, or being standing bedside to support a stricken loved one.
There was another rarity in Boyd's journey to better health. He had been granted the opportunity to contact his lifesaving donor.
The donor, 34-year-old Michael Stout of Santa Margarita, Calif., is a sheriff.
"It was very emotional for me, but what a great feeling to be able to say 'thank you' to another person who had been so giving to help save a life," said Boyd. "Not everyone is lucky to receive a 10-point perfect match. He was my savior."
Boyd recalled having met three friends in Chapel Hill undergoing similar treatment for leukemia.
"They did not make it," said Boyd, his voice dropping. "You feel lucky; you feel blessed."
Out of the depths, Boyd has actively been making strides in supporting other families that have members with cancer. The Family House, the adult version of the Ronald McDonald House for those with serious illnesses, is in Chapel Hill. Boyd helped raise $100,000 for the house at an April golf event.
There are some six million individuals today registered on the bone marrow registry, according to Boyd. Of that list, donors may range from a 23-year-old woman in Korea to a middle-aged man in Germany - all who have served as lifesavers.
The American Cancer Society's Wilmington (N.C.) Chapter recently presented Boyd with its Hope Award.
It is an award that is as inspiring as the man who proudly accepted it.
Three days before Boyd competed at The PGA Golf Club, he was at home with his wife to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. It was more than a single-event celebration. It also signaled a rebirth in spirit for one determined competitor.
"There are three things that I believe that aid you in recovery - faith, hope and ambition," said Boyd.
Perhaps those also are lifetime "swing thoughts" we all could use.
