Giving Thanks For “America’s Golfer” — Jordan Spieth

Thanksgiving is a pure American holiday.

The origins of this day of thanks go back to the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation, it was a feast to celebrate a treaty between the two groups.

Today, we continue to give thanks for the greatness that is America.

When it comes to golf and our current champions, none is more American than Jordan Spieth.

Spieth represents the best the game has to offer perhaps the best America has to offer when it comes to the complete package. He is a humble sportsman and a champion’s champion and it is with that in mind that we give thanks here for the emergence of Jordan Spieth as a true American champion.

His 2015 season was a dream for any young man and it all started in Australia, where Spieth will be this week. He could have stayed home and spent Thanksgiving with his family but he’ll be defending his title at the Australian Open in Sydney, contested at the Australian Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus-redesign.

It is exactly what you would expect from Jordan Spieth.

“He’s a better person than a golfer,” is how Open champion Zach Johnson describes Spieth.

In a day and age when athletes too often become self-centered, entitled and surrounded by an entourage, Spieth remains humble and approachable. “He has a special place in his heart for kids who want an autograph,” says his mom, Chris.

With that sort of demeanor, Spieth is a throw-back of sorts to perhaps the way Arnold Palmer conducted himself. Palmer would typically sign autographs until everyone left happy.

Spieth is surrounded by a strong family and his formative years came with a Catholic education. At Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, Cathy Marino was his golf coach. “He did so many unbelievable things in high school, it doesn’t surprise me at all to see what he’s done,” she said of his professional career.

She also made this observation about his high school days: “At Jesuit, they do a great job of teaching the young men that they’re here to serve others.”

What a concept.

It is incredibly easy to pull for Spieth and to enjoy his achievements. A Masters Green Jacket, a U.S. Open title, a shot away from a playoff at the Open Championship and a close call with Jason Day at the PGA. All of that and he still had enough gas in the tank to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup.

He is everyone’s Player Of The Year.

And he does it all while conducting himself as a true sportsman, putting himself in contention when Sports Illustrated announced its Sportsman Of The Year next month.

Corporate America appreciates Spieth. He’s been rewarded with sponsorships from Under Armour, AT&T, Titleist, Rolex, NetJets, SuperStroke and PerfectSense.  Spieth’s best work may be in the form of the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation. Its focus is children with special needs, junior golf and the U.S. military.

Yes, this is a young man America can admire.

He’s America’s champion, America’s golfer.

His star shines brightly and the good news is he’s just getting started.

Happy Thanksgiving.