He excitedly told Tice about his upcoming venture to the famed Pinehurst courses in North Carolina. Tice, while sitting in his wheelchair, reflected on words from his former sage Harvey Penick and bestowed this adage to the youngster: "Just be patient. There are no easy shortcuts in golf."
Tice knows that all to well since he's been a part of the game of golf for the past eight decades.
On Tuesday afternoon at Temple College's Old Nine Golf Course clubhouse, the soon-to-be 86-year-old's endless dedication and hard work was honored with a special presentation. About 100 people gathered to laud Tice and celebrate the Old Nine's 65th anniversary with the unveiling of a Temple Historic Marker.
"I'm keyed up a little," said Tice, who will turn 86 on Thursday. "When you've given as many golf lessons as I have it shows up a little."
The presentations were made by Temple Mayor Bill Jones III and Tinsley Penick, Harvey Penick's son, who represented the PGA. Other speakers included Thomas C. Smith III (director of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System), Dr. Glenda O. Barron (Temple College president), David Perez-Guerra (Temple Parks and Leisure Services board member) and Roland Guillen (Old Nine golf course manager).
Each recapitulated the Old Nine's rich history and acknowledged Tice for his service as a player, golf professional, course owner, coach and mentor.
"My love of the game was given to me as a result of association early on with Mr. Carlie Tice," said Jones, who received lessons from Tice at Temple Country Club. He later proclaimed "July 20, 2010 as Carlie Tice Day in the city of Temple, Texas."
Tice - who said he gave about 52,000 lessons - first began caddying and playing golf at age 8 and broke 90 for the first time when he was 10. Four years later, the teen prodigy won the city championship at Temple Country Club.
