Chick-fil-A is an occasional pitstop for Don Uhrig during lengthy commutes to GAP Central Series events.
It’s apropos that the LedgeRock Golf Club member addresses such a topic as he exits the eatery.
“I’ve really been into the spicy grilled chicken sandwich they had out. When I was in there, I just finished my order, and you called when I was standing there waiting for it,” Uhrig, 59, of Sinking Spring, Pa., said. “They stopped making the spicy grilled chicken sandwich, so I had to go back to the dipped in oil, fried or whatever they do with that [chicken sandwich].”
As his seemingly reluctant Chick-fil-A order rests on the passenger’s seat, Uhrig begins to share his golf story. Then a mental alarm sounds. Is the phone call a scam, or a sincere GAP Central Series solicitation?
“There are weird people out there doing weird things. You got me off guard here,” Uhrig said. “I start answering questions, which is unusual for me to do that, but it’s golf so I usually answer more.”
Understandable given Uhrig’s passion for the game. He connected with the GAP Central Series two years ago.
“I was looking for more Senior tournaments. It was a way to play golf with guys my age,” Uhrig said.
A three-sport athlete at Daniel Boone Area High School, Uhrig didn’t pick up a golf club until age 24.
“I did that because I was going into business myself, and I thought I needed to learn how to golf. I didn’t really start trying to get better until two years ago when [my son Connor] graduated from high school. I had more free time, so that’s why I’m golfing more,” Uhrig, who owns and operates a construction company, said.
What started as periodic rounds and scrambles turned into full-fledged tournaments. Now that his business is established, his four children (Dylan, Austin, Connor and Elise) beyond high school, competitive golf continues to find space on Uhrig’s schedule.
“I’ve been working hard [on my game] the past two years. I wanted to try and get better and actually compete,” he said. “I am seeing fruits of my labor.”
Uhrig lowered his Handicap Index to 2.0. He teamed with his brother Dave to capture LedgeRock’s Kohl Cup, a better-ball-of-partners event, a year ago. Also in 2020, Uhrig qualified as the No. 16 seed in the Brewer Cup at LedgeRock. He fell to LuLu Country Club’s Christopher Clauson, 3&2, in the Round of 16.
The Brewer Cup was quite an accomplishment for me,” Uhrig said. “You wouldn’t know that I just shot 84 and 85 [in the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s 80th George Dressler Memorial Championship], but that’s golf. You go up and down.”
Driving up and down the Pennsylvania Turnpike isn’t a nuisance for Uhrig. Sirius XM, Channel 26, Classic Vinyl. The likes of favorites Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers Band soundtrack two-plus hour trips.
“Heck, I’m into Oasis now. Who would’ve ever thought that? I discovered them during the (COVID-19) pandemic,” Uhrig said. “Not that they’re on [Classic Vinyl], but I listen to them.”
When golf is a topic of conversation, Uhrig will listen, whether on the course or inside Chick-fil-A.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 300 Member Clubs and 80,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
