Toby Crain, Jr.
Wesley Marvin “Toby” Crain, Jr. was born in Olathe, Kansas, a city in the county seat of Johnson County. Toby enjoyed growing up in the area with its four distinct seasons and where outdoor sports abound. Olathe is the fifth most populous city in the state with a population of 125,872 at the 2010 census.
Today, the 43-year-old resident of Shawnee, Mission, (KS) is a proud member of the Kansas City Swingers Golf Association and he wears his 0 handicap well. Perhaps it’s the years of stiff competition with the Swingers that has kept his game on point. Or, could it be his commitment to make every round his best? One thing’s for sure, tournament play across the country has been so good to him—and so much so—that now, Tody is ready to take his game to another level.
“My father introduced me to the game of golf as a youngster and I joined the Kansas Kansas City Golf Association 3-years ago,” says the bachelor who plays with his group of about 15-20 guys every weekend on different tracks. An experienced tradesman, Toby has been working in the window tinting business for about 25 years. He participates in a variety of activities, has a busy social life and tries to get out on the course about 4 to 6 times a month.
Toby is known for holding his own on the greens and never walks away from a good challenge. His local course is Swope Memorial Golf Course (Kansas City, MO) where he holds the course record with a 62.
Designed in 1934 by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghas, it was once the home of the PGA Tour’s Kansas City Open (1949), making it the only public course in the area to have hosted a PGA Tour event. Legends like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead have teed-off here as crowds roared.
“Playing really relieves stress and I like it because you can improve on your game everyday.” says Toby, who has been playing competitive golf since 1998. And he’s seen substantial success too. Winning tournaments all over the country and the world, his aspirations now are to become a professional golfer.
Toby’s paid his dues to the game and now seeks the ultimate challenge (and expense) of playing professional. His state victories include Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana. “My biggest challenge in the game is to continue to get better and not become stagnant. I wish to be able to shoot good golf every time out.”
“Hitting a great shot keeps me motivated to continue on to even get better. Golf is my life so, staying motivated is pretty easy.”
At 5’8 and 215 lbs, Toby likes to keep fit by working out on a regular basis. His other indulgences include fixing-up cars, bowling, playing basketball and tennis. Well-rounded on all fronts, his passion to pursue the ranks of a golfing professional seem reachable.
“I’m really looking for an opportunity to make it to the next level in golf….I think that with some good coaching I could play at any level. All I think about is golf—golf—golf. So I’m just waiting for my chance.”
