PGA golfer Fred Funk has been a Stryker Orthopaedics brand ambassador since 2011, and is one of the most recognizable names and personalities in professional golf. Funk underwent total knee replacement in November 2009 and with the help of Stryker, reversed what could have been a career-ending injury. He won the JELD-WEN Tradition the following season, becoming the first player ever to win a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event after total knee replacement surgery.
Even before his career-altering injury, Funk was no stranger to adversity–he was cut from the University of Maryland golf team and competed at the JUCO level for two years before making the move back up to the D1 (and eventually pro) level. Whether you're a golfer or not, recruits of all sports could learn a thing or two from Fred Funk. Here's his advice on resilience, JuCo sports, and more.
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What advice can you give upcoming golfers?
Since they can't get enough competition, they have to play a lot. There's nothing that can simulate competitive golf–you can hit balls or be the club champion, that doesn't mean anything. Nowadays, you have to go national. You have to win big time national junior and amateaur tournaments and show something–show some sort of ability. Obviously you are what you shoot, but that's the first thing that would separate you from the crowd is your scores.
What was it like getting cut from the Maryland team?
I didn't make the team my freshman year. They had 12 lines of golf. I finished 13th so I was out. I ended up going to junior college for two years and got my associates degree, and then went back to Maryland and got my degree there. I used two years of eligibility at JuCo and two at Maryland.
What advice do you have on Junior College?
It worked for me, but it's not for everybody. A lot of times kids aren't ready for college, especially a big school. Freshman year is a weed out process academically. The courses are tough, and even though they're introductory, they're tough. When I went to JuCo, I had a really great experience. I had a few offers after JuCo to go play at a couple other schools–NC State, Kentucky, and Western Kentucky–but I didn't want to leave home. I ended up back at Maryland. I think JuCo is a really great step for a lot of people to get their grades up and get used to the competition.
Related: NCAA or Bust? 2 Things Potential JUCO Athletes Should Consider in Their Recruiting Process
What is your favorite memory as a college golfer?
It was the comradery of the team. It was just being out there and a part of a team. Especially with golf because golf is an individual sport and you very seldom get to play as a team. The comradery is the real neat thing.
Can you give us some advice on a healthy lifestyle?
The key is to get your foot out the door. You don't always want to workout but once you get in the habit of it, it ends up being a motivation. A short day on the PGA Tour is 8 hours. They're usually closer to 10 hours. That's if you're playing, practicing and working out. It's a long day, so you have to pace yourself, especially when you get my age, and working out is an important thing to do.
Related: 10 Questions About Injury Prevention & More With Athletic Trainer KatieRose Healey
About Stryker:
Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and, together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. Stryker is active in over 100 countries around the world.
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* Originally published on February 23, 2023, by 2aDays Staff
