Valor Christian graduate Wyndham Clark returns to Castle Pines as a star

Wyndham Clark tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Two words help explain why Wyndham Clark could one day become the No. 1 golfer in the world.

The summer after his sophomore year in college in 2013, Clark withdrew from the Western Amateur to return to Colorado. His mother, Lise, weakened by multiple battles with breast cancer, felt the life drain from her body. She supported her three children in so many ways and always saw their future reaching their full potential. She offered advice for Wyndham.

“Her whole catchphrase was ‘Play Big.’ And it always stuck with me,” Clark told The Denver Post. “And it was literally what she told me on her deathbed.”

The loss of his mother sent Clark into a spiral. Clark was always known as a great teammate, but was overly critical of his own play. He was ready to quit when he could no longer talk to his mother after the events. He was burned out. But Lise, a former Miss New Mexico in 1981, still spoke to him and spoke to his success, even if it sometimes went unheard.

Clark left Oklahoma State and revived his career at Oregon, where he was rebooted by coach Casey Martin and his assistant John Ellis. Ellis saw himself in Clark, a talented golfer who struggled with his mood and self-confidence. He became a helmer when Clark won Pac 12 Player of the Year honors and realized his mother’s dream for him to reach the PGA Tour.

“At first (her death) really affected me. Now that I’m further away from it, I think about all the wonderful things she’s done for me. I try to honor her in everything I do,” said Clark, 30. “She knew that I would be on this platform and that I could really inspire people and play golf for something bigger than myself.”

That made Tuesday so special.

Clark returned to Colorado for the BMW Championship press conference at Castle Pines Golf Club. He has never played in his home state on tour for family and friends. As such, Clark will be part ambassador, part tour guide and part dream breaker when the tournament featuring the Tour’s 50 best players takes place from August 20 to 25.

“There’s a little bit of pressure,” Clark said. “I feel like I’m learning how to deal with it. Anyway, I’m going to enjoy the week.”

It was on this course that Clark fell in love with golf and watched stars David Duval, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els compete on the ninth hole of The International, the unique tour event that used the Stableford scoring system.

“That’s when I knew I wanted to do this,” said Clark, whose father, Randall, stressed the family budget by joining Cherry Hills Golf Club to help his son advance his game. “I hope to inspire young people. I have an ear for the younger kids when they’re out there and I cheer my name on because I was that kid. You just feel so special when you walk through those gates. You’re enjoying the best of Colorado. The course is in perfect condition. The food is great. The milkshakes are great. And the views are spectacular.”

After years of grinding, after nearly losing his tour card a few times, Clark now looks down on the competition with a No. 5 world ranking. He won the 2023 US Open, played in the Ryder Cup and will represent Team USA at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. It has been a remarkable journey. Clark no longer suffers from mental flaws, his mind matches his elite, physical talent.

“We’re all very skilled here,” Clark said. “The difference between the top players and guys who are not top players is the ability to concentrate on every shot and to be able to overcome adversity and pressure.”

Ellis, 44, deserves credit. He left Oregon with Clark to become his caddie. On the bag he is part coach, part bench. He urges Clark to avoid paralysis by analysis.

“He always tells me, ‘Be an athlete.’ It’s a constant reminder to me not to get too technical about every aspect of golf,” Clark said. “There’s so many thoughts that people put into your brain when you’re playing golf. Your mind gets cluttered. And he just says, ‘Hey, we’ve got to put the ball in this spot and that hole. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just do it faster than anyone else.’”