Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Mercer.
Hi Tim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I Saw My Dream Clearly
At the young age of 14, I began disciplining my body and mind, training tirelessly to reach my full potential as an athlete. I started playing golf in my freshman year of high school…
Realizing The Dream
Though I had a rough start, I found golf exciting and as I gained experience I saw myself one day becoming great, perhaps a pro. Distance came naturally! I played golf from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the Summer before my sophomore year of high school and performed exceptionally well. Later I became captain of my high school team, playing the #1 spot and was voted season and conference MVP.
Going on to graduate from Roosevelt High School in Gary, IN in 2008 I achieved a golf scholarship to Prairie State College. Shortly thereafter, I made another transition to Vincennes University for 3 three years. Unable to focus my attention on golf due to my rigorous studies, I put my efforts towards graduating. After acquiring my Associate’s Degree, I regained the time, dedication and focus necessary to play golf at the professional level.
The Return Home
The Training Continues
Finally home, I began training at South Gleason golf course in Gary, IN and met a gentleman who knew the golf coach at Chicago State. Fortunately, he was recruiting players for his team. After acquiring the coach’s contact information, I set up an appointment to meet with him. To make a long story short, I was awarded a scholarship to play for Chicago State University in the Spring of 2012.
Other Accomplishments
Great Years
Playing D1 With High-Ranking Amateurs Across The US.
Through ups and downs, the college experience inspired me and made me realize the work it takes to become a professional golfer. Traveling from state-to-state, playing multiple days of golf training in the offseason and mentally preparing for tournaments; this was truly the proving ground for that 14-year-old dream.
I’m fully committed to playing professionally! Practicing five to six hours a day during the week, analyzing video of my swing for perfection, hours of collaboration with my swing coach Andy Walker and a ‘whole lot’ of talent and work ethic to follow, my dream will no long sit as a dream; but a sure reality!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I progressed to my year after my college career, playing golf and running track, I eventually opened my own business as a personal performance golf coach. I decided to title my company as mercergolfperformance. Where I was capable of achieving a private clientele list of students that I now have stretched across the United States. But starting this business has not been smooth but absolutely challenging on so many occasions. Trying to run the business on your own and maintain income to maintain your life’s necessities can bring forth pressures in life that most won’t choose voluntarily. And at the same time, you’re trying to nurture your unique abilities in a sport that, you have evident traits to have an advantage in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In a nutshell, I started the company building a private list of students but have extended my list to several celebrity clientele across the US. I’ve been at top golf and given instruction to Offset YRN. Or he was able to connect with the ball and hit one of his best shots of the evening that Serena Williams was hosting a celebrity golf outing in Arizona. I have also taught Chicago Bears athletes such as Adrian Colbert and Deandre Houston-Carson plus legends like Otis Wilson from the ‘85 Bears. And most recently Adrian Holmes from the hit series Belair on Peacock. Plus a few notables such as DSmoke from Compton, and Eric Bellinger, this is a fun adventure because I also have a mission aside from making my professional push at the highest level in golf, to expose my culture to the game of golf wider than it has ever been. So I enjoy working with celebrities and highly influential Individuals of the African-American community because of their reach to our culture and exposure of golf they can spread by their participation in it.
I also have the upcoming opportunity of training a star actor by the name of Skyh Black in a director’s first feature film. He has requested that I train sky black for his role in his first feature film as he plays golf and interacts on the golf course in a few scenes. He’s also blessed me with the opportunity to act in my first film to highlight the achievements I created in Golf and also fulfill my mission of exposing my culture to black professional golfers that exist in our thriving in a sport that we were not allowed to play at this level.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Me growing up was always the life of the party and a high charismatic personality. Awards like best smile and student-athlete of the year ultimately in college allowed me to realize that I do have an infectious personality and I am a great people person. Athletics is a strong part of my life, so I was always active in sports, but I am multi-talented in things outside of sports, such as musicianship as I play the drums, sing, play piano, etc..
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Timmercer.com
- Instagram: @timmercer_com
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tim.mercer.3110
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/timothy-mercer-36197977
Image Credits
Mike kinyon Eric James Walsh Donovan
