Having grown up within 100 miles of Bagdad, Florida, I know a lot of bubbas. Most of those stories have not turned out as well as that of Bubba Watson, the native of Bagdad and winner of the 2012 Masters Golf Tournament. The Masters is the most prestigious tournament in golf. If you win a Masters Tournament, you are revered by the people who play–or even watch–golf.

Bubba Watson won this year’s tournament in an amazing way. Instead of winning the match by simply making a putt on the 18th hole or the first playoff hole, Bubba made one of the most improbable shots ever in golf. Knowing the history of the Masters, they will probably put a marker at the spot where Bubba hit the shot that set up his win.

You can probably tell I like Bubba Watson. Here’s why.

First, he’s never had a golf lesson. That is truly amazing. He taught himself to play golf. I love what he said about his late father: “My dad taught me everything I know. It’s not very much, but that’s all I know.” Read that quote a few times and try to figure it out!

Second, he hits the ball farther than anyone on the Professional tour, averaging 313 yards per drive. It’s simply fun to watch someone do something that is beyond imagination. On tour they say he never hits the same shot twice. He is creative and makes golf fun.

Third, Bubba Watson cares about family. He and his wife have adopted a baby and Bubba Watson is staying off the tour to be with his family.

Finally, I thrill to hear of anyone who loves the Lord Jesus. Bubba Watson does. Several of his friends on tour walked with him during the playoff. I have never seen that before. It tells me that he has deep relationships. A recent Sports Illustrated story explained his friends. Ben Crane, Aaron Baddeley, and Rickie Fowler are regulars with Bubba in the tour Bible Study. The Masters may never have seen a celebration like Bubba’s. Though they had a bartender in the Butler Cabin, no one drank.

We are a sports crazed society. I wonder about the ascendancy of Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin, and Bubba Watson to the top of their professions. I know America is looking for real heroes, people who live out faith and live as genuine role models. Could this be the work of God to call us back to Him?

What about you and your faith? Are you being a role model to someone around you?

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