By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Brice Garnett has been a pro golfer for 18 years.
He’s played overseas. He’s been on the PGA Tour. He currently holds PGA status, in fact, having won the Puerto Rico Open this past March, and will hold that status for at least the next three years.
Through it all, the Gallatin native still carries the Missouri Western logo on his golf bag. The former Griffon will never forget where he came from.
"I've always tried to keep some sort of a chip on my shoulder," Garnett told KFEQ Radio. "I've always remained humble and remembered my roots, but have tried to keep a chip on my shoulder, dating back to my college time whenever the University of Missouri didn't want me."
"I ended up at Missouri Western and had an amazing career."
The best golfer to ever play at Missouri Western can now add another Hall of Fame status to his name.
Garnett was one of 10 individuals unveiled in this year's St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class.
Already a member of the Missouri Western and MIAA Hall of Fame, Garnett says getting this honor from the St. Joseph Sports Commission is extra special, having grown up and started his career in the area.
"Especially being from Gallatin and playing there at Missouri Western in St. Joe, it was just an exciting call to get," Garnett shared. "I've known Brett (Esely) a long time. He was actually our compliance coordinator when I was at school. We've stayed in touch."
"I know he's doing big things with the Sports Commission. We're excited for August to come around to get up there and get inducted."
Brett Esely is the director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission, which oversees the Hall of Fame. Each year's class is selected by an anonymous three-person committee.
Garnett was a three-time all-American at Missouri Western and just secured PGA Tour status for the next three years this past March with his Puerto Rico Open victory - his first PGA win since 2018 and his second overall.
Garnett has seven professional victories, but he says that win in March, at age 40, was a long time coming and the culmination of long stretches of hard work and waiting for a win.
"It was probably the most challenging part of my career," he said. "I felt like I got to a spot where I could compete weekly. Everything in my game was probably as strong as it's ever been. To see it all come together down in Puerto Rico at 40 years old, kind of resurrecting my career."
Garnett is gearing up for a busy summer and fall ahead. He has a three-week break right now, but he says he's looking at playing in the John Deere Classic on July 4th weekend in Silvis, Illinois.
"I believe I'll travel from there to the Scottish Open," he said. "That'll be my first time playing in Scotland, which I'm excited about. Come back and play a few events in the end of July, getting ready to hopefully sneak in that top 70 (FedEx Cup standings) to get in that first playoff event in Memphis, which is a huge, huge step."
Garnett aims to get in the top 70 in the Fedex Cup standings, which would qualify him for the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis on August 15 - the first of three Fedex Cup playoff tournaments. He’s currently ranked 75th in those standings.
Garnett will be enshrined August 25 in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. He'd love to be there for the ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, but he’d also love to be competing for a Fedex Cup championship during that time as well.
"I hope to be at the BMW (Championship) for my career, but definitely will be in St. Joe if not."
Brice Garnett interview
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