Golfer's quest for 'holy grail'

Kevin Cherry in action.

Ron Burgin

BUNDABERG'S perennial golfing bridesmaid Kevin Cherry felt a stream of tears running down his cheeks, as his daughter Katy ran across the green and jumped into his arms for a cuddle after he holed the putt that gave him his first big win.

Wife Sally and son Jamee were only three metres from their hero and had grins from ear-to-ear as he turned to acknowledge their support in the quest for his holy grail - a career in professional golf.

This story is not just about Cherry's triumph in the weekend's Wide Bay Open and Closed Golf Championships at Bargara Golf Club where he won both titles, it is a story of a man with a fire in his belly that will never be extinguished.

His tears were not those of a selfish man who was self-absorbed with winning a trophy, but the humble tears of gratitude for his family's support and belief that had galvanised his own belief to continue the pursuit of his life-long dream.

“Katy came up and gave me a hug and I felt like a superstar,” Cherry said.

“Sally and the kids have been right behind me.

“It was so good to be able to win it for them, it was such a good feeling.”

Like normal 15 year olds, Cherry followed societal trends and the advice of family and focused on a “real job”.

“Like all kids at that age, I followed my family's advice and became a builder rather than a golfer,” he said.

As he approached 40, he decided he was going to do it - chase the dream.

“I've been trying hard for the last 18 months,” he said.

“I'd get close, but couldn't crack it and was nearly always second.

“People at the club would joke and say they were going to make me a bridesmaid's dress if I didn't start winning soon.”

One step closer to the dream, Cherry attributed his victory to coaching from Bundaberg pro Craig Swift.

“Without Craig I couldn't have done this,” he said.