Playing in the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach

A few years ago, there was a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman (two of my all-time favorite actors) called The Bucket List that really resonated with me. The concept of the movie is that two men meet in a hospital room and decide that, before they die, they're going to put together a list of all the things they’ve always wanted to do in life (i.e., their bucket list) and check off as many items as possible.

I really like the idea of having a bucket list… but I don't think that you should wait until you're older, or at the end of your life, to start checking things off. Sure, some things may require you to have lots of money, or be a certain age, but many items on your list can and should be simple pleasures or inexpensive road trips (like seeing the Grand Canyon at sunrise), and my life philosophy has always been to get started now, because you never know when your last day might come.

Today, I crossed an item off my list, and yesterday I did so as well.

Today was the first day of the AT&T National Pro-Am which I was graciously invited to play in by Randall Stephenson, the Chairman of AT&T. This is one of the biggest honors that an amateur golfer can receive, and it was really special to be invited by AT&T since our commercial with them premiered during the Masters just two years ago. A lot has happened since that commercial introduced millions of people to the One for One movement... and I, and every one who works every day to put more shoes on children's feet, will forever be grateful.

Yesterday, I got to play Pebble Beach (practice round) with my dad caddying, and many of my dear friends, co-workers, and family walking the course with us. It was a glorious day, one that I will never forget. Some great photos were taken and here they are… hopefully you’ll be seeing more on CBS this weekend as me and my partner, Vaughn Taylor, attempt to earn a place in golf history.

Carpe Diem.

Back on the course

I can count on one hand the number of days I was able to play golf on a weekday in the past year, but last week one of those rare, special days happened. With all the excitement leading up to next week's Masters, I could not have been more ready to dust off my clubs and take a walk on the green grass. I was in Tuscon for a speaking engagement and had the afternoon free, so I headed to The Stone Canyon, compliments of the lovely Candice Wolfswinkel at TOMS. Maybe I was looking a little pale last week and in need of some Arizona sun... so she not only she suggested it, but set the whole thing up. She even asking her dad and brother Ashton to join me, which made it all that much more enjoyable. Besides the Wolfswinkel clan, we were joined by Ashton's biz partner Jason and friend Ian Lopatin (a yoga guru who hits a very long straight ball), as well as the nicest golf pro I have ever met, Todd Huizinga. It proved to be the perfect day, and I could not help but to share some pics and a funny conversation I overhead between two business partners on the 4th tee box.

"How are we supposed to have interns if we cannot manage the one employee we currently have" ... says one business partner to the other while on the golf course on a MONDAY afternoon, beer in hand.

Too funny...

Have a great week, and get some sun if you have the chance. Spring is here :)

My Masters Moment

Two months ago AT&T approached us wanting to feature TOMS in an ad campaign. We could not have been more excited and grateful, but to find out weeks later that the ad would premiere as part of the Masters telecast was truly an honor.

Golf has always held a very special place in my life. At the age of 12, my dad taught me the game, and some of the greatest days of my childhood were spent battling my brother Tyler and my Dad for dollar skins as the sun would set. Being golfers, I don't have to tell you about the smell of freshly cut grass and the sense of possibility standing on that first tee. Celebrating good bounces, accepting bad ones, believing in the club you have chosen and committing to the shot are lessons golf has taught me that transcend all aspects of my life and business. And the greatest part... the 4 hours away from reality we experience after that first tee shot. I have always made it a priority to get away to a place where I can relax and have time to think. For much of my life, golf has provided that opportunity. In 2006, that same quest took me to Argentina where, for the first time, I was introduced to often overlooked inequities that lead to the idea for TOMS Shoes.

My hope is this is just the beginning. I envision a future where our One for One model is expanded through partnerships with other great companies and opportunities which allow TOMS to truly create a better tomorrow for our customers and the children we serve. Our debut on the Masters telecast will prove to be a landmark moment for our One for One movement and, without a doubt, a memory everyone at TOMS will cherish forever. Thank you ATT!

I want to dedicate this special weekend to those people with whom I have shared precious memories on the links over the years. To my mentors Carl Westcott and Jack Crosby, two men sharing an incredible love for golf and entrepreneurship. And to my longtime golfing buddies Joseph Robertson, Steven Patak, Jimmy Leach, Art Ryan and Andrew Palmer. To my mother Pam and sister Paige, who come along just enough to remind us it’s only a game. Finally, and most importantly, to my father Mike and brother Tyler, who are the greatest golfing partners a man could ask for. Each ball struck, bet won or lost and 20 foot putt made is a blessing we all share.

Watch the TOMS AT&T commercial at www.TOMSshoes.com!