Gray

BUTLER TWP — It's never too late to right a wrong. Shawn Gray is proof of that.

A Butler High School graduate and track and cross country runner there, Gray studied metrology at Butler County Community College before graduating in 1989.

“I never ran cross country at BC3,” Gray said. “They asked me, but I was lazy, young and stupid and decided not to join the team.

“Because of me, they didn't have enough runners and couldn't field a team that season.”

Gray admitted that as time wore on, “I've never forgotten that. I regretted not running. I felt guilty about it for a long time.”

Now 51, Gray owns some rental properties and returned to BC3 this fall to take some business courses.

He decided to join the golf team.

“I saw the information about the team and decided to give it a go,” Gray said. “I love the game and I know how hard it can be for a junior college team to get enough golfers to play in tournaments.

“Some golfers have jobs, other commitments, and I figured I could get to most of those tournaments. This time, I wasn't going to pass up on an opportunity to help one of their teams.”

Pioneer golf coach Bill Miller is 60 and said Gray proved to be an asset to the team. BC3 went on to win the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference championship.

“It was different having someone from my generation on the golf team,” Miller said. “I liked it. He and I have talked about a lot of things.

“Shawn is old-school and set quite an example for the younger golfers. He'd show up an hour before practice. When the rest of us would arrive, he was already out there working on his chipping and putting.”

Gray averaged 92 for 18 holes during the fall season. He plans to return to the team for the spring season.

“I had a bad hole in the conference finals,” he said, laughing. “I took a 13 on the first hole. It's kinda hard to dig out of a hole like that.

“I felt like the movie 'Tin Cup.' But I never quit playing. You never quit.”

Gray said he owns two rental propteries and may acquire more. He added that his class schedule will likely be heavier next year and he doesn't expect to use his second year of golf eligibility at the college.

“It's been a tremendous experience and I'm looking forward to the spring,” he said. “I'm learning more from the younger golfers than they're learning from me. They give me tips.

“My game has definitely improved since joining this team.”

Miller described Gray as being “very coachable” in his approach to the game.

“He was serious about helping our team from Day One,” Miller said. “He attended as many matches as anybody.

“Putting was probably his biggest weakness. He can hit well off the tee, but has a bit of a slice at times. He took advice well and blends in very well with the rest of the team.”

Miller is looking forward to working with Gray more in the spring.

“Absolutely ... He's a bit of a mentor to the younger golfers because of his work ethic and willingness to practice,” the coach said.

“I wish he was coming back next year. We will definitely miss not having him on this team next fall.”