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CBN.com – It’s been a great year for Wendy Ward. Currently fifth on this year’s money list, she recently picked up a big victory at the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas -- her fourth career win. But Wendy is known as much for her for character as she is for her talent.
Being a person of integrity is critical to Wendy Ward. So much so, she created quite a stir a few years back. While on the verge of winning a tournament, that integrity actually cost her a victory.
“My ball had resettled itself after I had grounded my putter in,” Wendy says. “It was clear to me that it had moved which is a penalty.”
No other player or official had seen her infraction but Wendy knew Someone more important had noticed.
“I knew God had seen it. So there was just no question in my mind but to call the penalty on myself which virtually then put me one shot out of winning the tournament.”
Imagine… a pro athlete penalizing herself, knowing it would cost her a victory and a large paycheck. But she says that’s part of being a witness for Jesus Christ.
“The feedback that I received after that was phenomenal, and [I] knew that God’s goodness was there. Despite the disappointment in not winning the event, there was such a greater story to be told.”
No matter the circumstance, Wendy says one thing will never change.
“I have a God that loves me very much in spite of how I play on the course. God’s going to love me whether I shoot 69 or 85. He’s going to love me regardless,” Wendy says. “I hope my actions are an expression of what I feel on the inside.”
Anyone who plays golf knows that frustration is part of the game. How does she handle it?
“You kind of go back to the fruit of the Spirit,” she says. “Patience, kindness, and self-control type of things.
“There’s one particular verse that stands out to me in James, the first chapter, where it says that perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete. This is a game where you can practice, go through valleys, hit peeks, and you still gotta be patient through good days and bad days.”
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