Before EJ Tackett became one of the biggest names in professional bowling, golf was his first love.
EJ grew up watching Tiger Woods, spent his summers almost entirely on the golf course, became one of Indiana’s top junior players, and competed against golfers who would eventually make it to the PGA Tour.
Then he got a firsthand look at just how good the best players his age really were.
At the U.
S. Junior Amateur, EJ shared a range with Jordan Spieth and watched him hit 8-irons about 160 yards into the same tiny area over and over again. EJ turned to his dad and admitted, “I’m not good enough.”Around the same time, EJ shot roughly 85 in the Junior PGA Championship while Justin Thomas went out and shot 65.
EJ talks about those realization moments, the influence Tiger Woods had on his competitive mentality, why college golf did not work out, and how he eventually committed to professional bowling.0:00 Growing up in a bowling family1:11 Why EJ’s dad has always been his coach1:46 How golf became part of EJ’s life2:10 Golf was his first true love2:46 Growing up watching Tiger Woods3:30 Learning Tiger’s killer instinct4:18 EJ barely bowled during the summer4:39 Becoming a top junior golfer in Indiana5:00 Competing against future PGA Tour players6:15 Why college golf did not work out7:08 Leaving school for the PBA Tour7:43 Getting his PBA Tour card8:23 The moment EJ realized he was not as good as he thought8:51 Sharing a range with Jordan Spieth9:09 Watching Spieth hit 8-irons9:36 Justin Thomas shoots 65 while EJ shoots 8511:28 “We can all thank them for me being a bowler”11:35 Walking away from the golf dream12:03 “Bowling is who I am”12:21 The advice from EJ’s dad that stuck with him
