Talking Golf with Joe Pillow, Men's Golf Association Bald Eagle event volunteer.
Joe Pillow is a volunteer for the MGA who does an excellent job organizing and scoring the Men's Bald Eagle events played each week on Monday and Friday. Joe is also a Founder of the MGA.
Beacon: How long have you been in FFH and a Member at Harbour Pointe?
Joe: We have been in the Harbour since 2005 and I have been a Member since. We came to New Bern in 1999 and found Fairfield Harbour and HPGC by coming to the Club as a greens fee player in the early 2000's.
Beacon: That's great! Who introduced you to Golf, when and where?
Joe: I was introduced to the game by some High School friends. This was in Smithville, TX, Southeast of Austin. We played Golf at the local Municipal course, Bastrop State Park Golf Course. The course is no longer there, we have some great memories though.
Beacon: Sounds like lots of fun! There are some fantastic Muni's all over the country. You were a Founder of the Men's Golf Association, please tell us about the early days of the MGA.
Joe: Back then, it was Charlie Henke, C.A. Smith, myself and others who got the MGA started. There were a few other groups and they merged with the MGA.
Beacon: Here we are almost 20 years later and you, Charlie and C.A. are still volunteering your time, helping make HPGC more enjoyable for so many. Which hole is your favorite at Harbour Pointe?
Joe: I have 2. The 6th hole. I made a Hole in one on #6 in May of 2022 and the 2nd hole is a favorite too, I recently made a hole out eagle, from the fringe with good friends Dan Engelhaupt and Bruce Hice rooting me on.
Beacon: That's awesome! Lots of STATracker points for that shot! What is your favorite memory from MGA events over the years?
Joe: It's the friendships, and relationships that we have made.
Beacon: Please tell us your career round at Harbour Pointe that you shot recently.
Joe: I shot a career low round of even par 72 at HPGC, had birdies on 3, 4, 7, and 13. This was the 1st time I've shot better than my age. In the past, when had I a score going like this, the hammer would fall and I would mess it up. Not this time.
Beacon: Excellent round! There are not many Golfers who can say their Golf score was lower than their age! Congrats!
Joe, thanks so much for being with us today. Thank you for your dedicated service to the MGA over the years.