Golfer Robert Davis III, son of Portsmouth football legend, moves beyond father’s shadow
Robert Davis III spent most of his youth living in his father’s shadow.
Robert “Ton” Davis was a star running back at Wilson High in Portsmouth. In 1971, the elder Davis established the state’s single-season scoring record with 188 points, and his regular-season total of 176 points still ranks second in single-season scoring in South Hampton Roads.
The younger Davis, who graduated from Churchland High in 1996, didn’t try to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“No, I was too small to play football,” Davis III said with a chuckle. “Golf and soccer was my thing through my younger years. However, I did not like the newspapers always mentioning him in ‘every’ article I was in. It was obviously a constant topic at the dinner table. But he is a Virginia football legend, so over time I got over it. But I did, however, try my best to make a name for myself.”
And he has.
Davis last month earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation a PGA Member can obtain.
The PGA of America has nearly 29,000 PGA professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. A group of 436 members have earned PGA Master Professional status. And only two others — Richard Brown and Anthony Stepney — are Black.
“To achieve this honor means everything to me and my family,” said Davis, whose son, Deondre, played football at Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake. “I waited so long for this moment. All the books I have read, all the papers written and all the lessons I have taught was worth every minute. To be considered in the same category with some of the greatest golf instructors and PGA Professionals ever is an honor I couldn’t have dreamed of.”
His father, who played football at Missouri Southern State University, beams with pride about what his son accomplished.
“Robert’s swing has been paid for by his many supporters in Portsmouth,” said “Ton” Davis, who now lives in Missouri. “I am proud and I thank the Lord for how he has blessed his life.”
Some have compared Davis’ achievement on the level of earning a doctorate degree because of how much work and study goes into it.
The toughest part, he said, was the final presentation. It consisted of an hour-long PowerPoint presentation, followed by an hour of questions and answers in front of a panel of other Master Professionals. After that, he had to give a live golf lesson in front of the panel followed by more questions and answers.
“My presentation was on my teaching philosophy, my swing model for full swing and short game, and my business plan for my own teaching facility, which I hope to start in a few years,” he said. “I must say it was very intense. You basically must defend everything you have ever taught and said over your years of teaching. I really wasn’t expecting that, (but) I’ve been waiting for that day my whole life, so I was prepared and ready for it.”
Michael Abramowitz, the director of Public Relations for Membership & Inclusion for the PGA of America, said what Davis achieved was huge.
“This is very prestigious,” he said. “You don’t get chosen for this, but you must do the necessary work to achieve this. We have less than 1% of PGA members that become PGA Master Professionals. So this is a big accomplishment and a great honor. He’s certainly earned it.”
Davis got introduced to golf at age 6 when his father took him out to the course when they lived on a military base in Florida.
“I started taking golf lessons at that time and fell in love with the game,” he said.
After about a year of taking golf lessons, he competed in local and regional tournaments in South Florida.
“In year two, I started to win a few,” he said. “I picked up the game quick, I would say, as a young kid.”
When his family moved to Portsmouth, Davis continued to excel at the game.
At Churchland High, he finished in the top five in the Eastern District two years in a row and finished runner-up at the region tournament in back-to-back years. He also qualified for the state tournament both years, including a high finish of 12th.
In addition, he excelled in soccer and was a two-time All-Eastern District selection.
He went to Brevard Community College on a golf scholarship.
One thing golf taught him was how to persevere in a sport when others didn’t look like him.
“I was the only African American in every event I played during my high school years except one (American Golf Junior Association) event I played in North Carolina,” he said. “To be honest, it could be a little nerve-racking before the tournament begins while checking in and warming up with the constant stares, of course.
“But as soon as I would tee off on the first hole, I was just fine. I knew I belonged and was just as good as everyone else. The priority was to win and that’s how I approached every tournament I played in around the country.”
That confidence gave him the determination that he could change the culture in golf.
“You must be willing to do things others will not do,” he said. “You must put yourself there,
even if it feels uncomfortable at times, and you can achieve anything.”
Davis played on tours including the American Golf Junior Association, U.S. Junior Championship, Ben Hogan Mini-Tour and Golden Bear Mini-Tour.
He started his apprenticeship in 2008 and was elected a Class-A Member in 2012. In his fifth year of membership, he started the certified professional program and received his certified professional status in teaching and coaching in 2014 as well as general management in 2015.
In his 10th year, he started his Master’s Program in Teaching and Coaching. He received that certification in May.
“From the very beginning, I wanted to stand out from the rest of the members,” he said.
Davis is now director of golf at the PGA Learning & Performance Center at Yalong Bay in China.
“I knew once my kids were out of college, or almost out of college, I would make a move
abroad,” he said. “But the opportunity to work with the PGA and our PGA Overseas Academies was an opportunity of a lifetime and hard to pass up. I always dreamed of teaching golf overseas and to experience different cultures. I have been in China for almost a year now and it has been better than expected.”
His goal in China is to continue the expansion and growth of the game of golf across the globe.
“I want to be a trendsetter and role model for the youth that will come after me,” he said. “Golf is my life. There is nothing else in this world I would rather do. The game has given me so many opportunities. I have been fortunate to travel, play beautiful golf courses on mountains to oceans, and next to jungles. I have met so many different people from around the world. I love this game and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com. Twitter @LHRubama
