Bubba Watson did not want to talk about golf.
His visit to the Sweet Seasons Farm was all about the charities supported by the corn maze, his family and his community.
At the start of a television interview a television reporter ask Watson to introduce himself. With the brim of his Blue Wahoos baseball cap turned backwards he paused for a brief moment as a boyish grin appeared on his face he replied, “I’m Bubba.”
Five time PGA winner Bubba Watson, two-time Masters Champion is a self-taught golfer. The only golf lesson he ever received was at a very young age from his father.
After graduating from Milton High School, Watson earned a scholarship to play golf for the University of Georgia. At the beginning of his last year as a Georgia Bulldog he turned professional.
As his popularity and success spread nationwide Watson realized he didn’t want to just be a champion golfer, he wanted his life to mean something to others.
“I want to encourage kids to get an education and follow their dreams,” Watson said. He shared children were an important part of his life. As his career as a professional athlete skyrocketed, the realization he could use his love for children in a positive way motivated him to finish his own degree. Without telling his family or friends, Watson returned to the University of Georgia to finish his education.
“There were a whole lot of people who molded me,” Watson said. As a demonstration of how appreciative he is, Watson donated funds to the three Santa Rosa Schools where he attended this summer. Bagdad Elementary, Hobbs Middle School and Milton High School received donations from Watson this past spring. “I wanted to make an impact on Milton and give back,” he added. “Most times education is not what young people value as important,” said Watson. “Celebrities and professional sports are normally seen as more valuable than education.”
In January of this year, Watson and his wife Angela formed the Bubba Watson Foundation with a mission to make a difference in the lives of others. “I believe in the value of our children, young adults and our military,” he stated. “After winning the Masters things changed for me, why not help people?”
While home visiting Santa Rosa County Watson was able to view the new electronic sign just installed at Hobbs Middle School from the funds he donated to the school.
He also visited Trent and Sharon Mathews in Allentown. The Mathews family own and operate Sweet Seasons Farm and Corn Maze. This years maze is designed in the likeness of the left-handed Masters Champion Bubba Watson. “It was kind of weird but an honor to know that my face was going to be in their corn field,” Watson laughed.
“We were watching the Masters when Bubba won,” Trent Mathews expressed. “Every year we try to come up with a different theme and Bubba was just the obvious choice after his win.”
The Mathews are of the same mind set as Watson. They are believers in giving back to the community and donating to charities as well. The uniting between the Mathews and Watson is more than a connection. It is a mission to promote family and service to others.
Trent Matthews shared, “I saw the corn maze idea while I was in Mississippi. I knew when Sharon and I came home that I wanted to do something that would help others and bring farm life into our own children’s lives.” This is the sixth year of operation for the Mathews’ Sweet Season Farm and Corn Maze.
The maze is not their only entertainment on their farm. There are acres of family activities to be enjoyed. All created by the Mathews to bring family fun, agriculture awareness and charitable donations to others. “We donate to several charities such as the American Cancer Society and to the Bubba Watson Foundation,” commented Sharon Mathews. The Mathews are also collecting can goods to donate to a food bank from the visitors to their farm.
Watson participated in each Sweet Season game, activity and maze with his family and friends. His wife and he also enjoyed watching their son Caleb and numerous nieces and nephews play in the corncrib, jumping on the corn popper, and going through the actual maze.
“I am really a kid at heart,” commented Watson. During his interview session Watson announced his newest adventure that is in the planning stage for the children of Northwest Florida. He is intending to build a candy shop in downtown Pensacola. “I want the candy shop to be fun, a place where kids want to come.”
Friends, family and fans visited Sweet Farms Saturday morning to see Watson, get his autograph and tour the corn maze. “Do you remember me?” Tiffany Cunningham asked when it was her turn to step up to the autograph table. Watson did remember Cunningham. Her husband Scott Cunningham used to play golf with Watson.
Watson definitely remembers old friends, the community where he was raised and the instutions where he was educated. He will definitely remember the corn maze designed to honor his achievements and generosity. He will remember his son’s laugh as he enjoyed his Saturday morning adventures at Sweet Seasons Corn Maze.
Watson chose to not remember anything about his golf career when questioned. “I don’t want to think about golf for this whole next week, and then I will head to Bermuda.” He answered. “I am here to enjoy the kids and raise some money for charity.”
He did not see the day as being about himself; it was about sharing his desire to be an inspiration for others. “As you get older you try to reconnect with your roots, having a child and beginning the adoption process of our second child changes things, changes your outlook on life.”
Watson is finding his way back home to share his success and appreciation as well as motivate kids to follow their dreams.
Hopefully, he found his way out of the corn maze.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Bubba Watson visits Sweet Seasons Farm