Sonny Gibbs
(January 10, 2012)–Sonny Lawrence Gibbs was born in Central Florida. He caddied as a youngster at the now Bayhill Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., and was inspired by professionals like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nickalaus, Teddy Rhodes, Joe Louis, and Calvin Peete.
“I was always a good athlete growing up and I lettered in football, track, basketball, tennis, and baseball. However, golf presented the most challenge early on,” says the scratch golfer whose handicap rises to 6 in the off-season.
“During my younger years, golf was not affordable—or even accessible, that much for minorities. However, I did acquire some clubs and shoes as a caddy and launched myself into a training routine during early mornings before the golf club opened. And I would continue in the late evenings when club was closed,” states Gibbs.
It was not until the age of around 21 that he realized he had a knack for golf. “It was only after being observed by other golfers that I started to really consider making golf a career,” says Gibbs.
Gibbs studied at Central Florida University, Marilyn University in Japan, and he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business.
Today, Gibbs resides in Okinawa, Japan and serves as Head Golf Professional, Director of Instruction at Taiyo Golf Club (Okinawa, Japan). His move was the result of a 1982 military assignment in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In 1992, he made a full time career switch to golf. In Okinawa he is a member of the Taiyo Golf Club (2 years), Awase Meadows Golf Club (5 years), Chibana Golf Club (2 years), Banyan Tree Golf Club (8 years), and an Associate Member of the Okinawa Golf Association (18 years).
“I am looking forward to returning some day. I have worked with non-English speaking students for a number of years and I very anxious to test my skills with my native English-speaking students back home,” he says.
To highlight just a few of Gibbs’ achievements in Japan, among his students he has 1-LPGA, 2-JLPGA and 2-JPGA, and he has worked at the number one junior golf school there, three of the past five years.
The 59-year old divorcee enjoys playing rounds with fellow club members, students and friends. “Due to my schedule, I’m lucky if I get to play about 3 times a month,” says Gibbs, whose home course is the beautiful Taiyo Golf Club (Okinawa Japan).
He holds certification as a Master Teaching Professional with Professional Golf Teachers of America (La Jolla, California) and is a “Top 50 teacher” who has provided over 30,000 hours of golf instruction and is a certified Mizuno Club Fitter, Top 100 club member.
“Playing golf is challenging and I love the outdoors and the whole golf environment,” says Gibbs. “I enjoy the opportunity of meeting interesting and diverse people and being able to give back to those in need.”
Ambitious and technically oriented Gibbs has previously worked as a Golf Club Manager at the San Antonio, Texas, Air Force Academy. He served as Program Manager with the Arlington, Virginia Business School and is an experienced Golf Club Repair Technician and as a Golf Club Performance Technician with the Mitchell Golf School (Ohio). He also worked in Golf Club Food & Beverage Operations with the San Antonio Texas, Air Force Academy. Most recently, he was a Golf Agent & Trainer for Japan, for the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy (GGGA) Orlando, Fla.
“My teaching and playing mentor was a Mr. Leo Vanwart, a PGA member 1996-1999. And, I’ve attended a David Ledbetter Golf clinic (1992) along with the Peter Kostic Golf School (1987) and the John Jacobs Golf School (1989). Gibbs says the lessons enlightened him and provided a ‘second eye’ (opinion) that saved him considerable time in developing a better game.
Gibbs has competed in many tournaments during his career, however, due to his current schedule, location and job position he’s not been actively competing since being in Japan. In 1998 he did qualify for the Nike Tour Gainsville Classic but, unfortunately, missed the cut.
“My motivation to continue playing comes from maintaining the passion and making the game— and work—a fun environment,” he says. “My biggest challenge is getting new players interested and joining the family of golf.”
Outside interests includes a love for horses, and sports cars. He’s also partial to quiet settings on the beach. And, he has a quest of searching for better ways to improved himself as one of mankind.
