In the world of golf, lost balls often mean lost opportunities, but for diver Jim Best, they’re just another day at the office. Jim has made a career of scuba diving to recover lost golf balls at various courses, including the famed TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Recently, during a segment discussing his unique profession, he reported finding a golf ball with a special marking that indicated it belonged to none other than former President Donald Trump.
Jim Best has been diving for nearly three decades and has built a reputation of recovering over 400,000 golf balls each year from about ten golf courses. His work is particularly associated with famous locations like the TPC Sawgrass, which is notorious for its challenging 17th hole that swallows a significant number of golf balls every tournament season.
The treasure hunters of lost golf balls, like Jim, deal not only with the underwater terrain of algae and murky waters but also occasionally with wildlife, including alligators. Despite these dangers, Jim is committed to his job, illustrating the dedication required for this unusual career.
What sets Jim apart is not only his experience but also the curious relationship between his findings and the figures who frequent these golf courses. His discovery of a golf ball owned by Donald Trump serves as an intriguing footnote in a veteran diver’s career.
Jim has noted that he doesn’t sell these unique finds. Instead, he gifts them to his children, a personal touch that adds a layer of memory to the profession. This anecdote provides a glimpse into the intersection of sports and celebrity, and with Trump’s prominence in golf culture, it highlights how even the most unexpected items can serve to connect us back to renowned figures, particularly in golf circles.
In conclusion, Jim Best has not only made a name for himself in the golf industry through his scuba diving but also reminded us of the relationships forged between everyday heroes and famous personalities. The story of his underwater adventures and the balls he collects enriches the tapestry of the golfing community, combining incidents of fun, nostalgia, and celebrity culture.