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Bond between Randy Jones and Ryan Polzin strengthens at Texas Open

By Bob Denney
Published on
Bond between Randy Jones and Ryan Polzin strengthens at Texas Open

 
For as long as he can remember, PGA Professional Randy Jones has dreamed of playing in the Valero Texas Open in his hometown of San Antonio. This week, in what he calls a “vicarious” experience inside the ropes at TPC San Antonio, Jones will caddie for his longtime friend, PGA Professional Ryan Polzin.
 
But it’s much more than a friendly arrangement between two PGA Professionals. Jones, a 37-year-old PGA Head Professional at Alamo Golf Club in San Antonio, is facing a second bout of melanoma cancer. After undergoing two major surgeries over the past four years to rid cancer from his abdomen, the father of three young daughters learned in January that cancer had returned. A tumor was discovered in one kidney and a mass near the other.
 
Jones underwent another series of chemotherapy treatments at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the best cancer facilities in the world. He is upbeat and said he’s “feeling really good about a week off.”
 
Polzin, 35, the PGA Head Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston, has taken an active role in helping Jones and his family attempt to meet rising medical expenses. There was a fundraising drive featured T-shirts, and now a golf tournament is in the works for early summer. All donors are encouraged to visit “Randy’s Fight Club Fundraiser" at www.booster.com/randyd
 
“Anything above his expenses will be donated to melanoma research, but it is unclear what those costs may be,” said Polzin. “Randy has a long road ahead and even if he beats it, he will face years of expenses.” 
 
Polzin is wearing a black ribbon on his cap this week in recognition of Cancer Awareness Month. He earned his tournament berth as the reigning Southern Texas PGA Section Champion.
 
“Just being around Randy and watching how he has fought this has given me a lift,” said Polzin. “He has tremendous support from his club members and family.”
 
Jones caddied for Polzin once before, in the 2013 PGA Championship. The two grew up in different school districts in San Antonio, with Randy attending Judson High School and Ryan at Tom C. Clark High School. They met in summer golf events. Jones captured the 1995 San Antonio City Junior Championship and Polzin won in 1997.
 
Jones went on to the University of Texas, and Polzin attended Sam Houston State University. They kept the friendship throughout their collegiate and early PGA Professional careers.
 
The bond has strengthened, said Polzin, as he witnessed his friend’s battle.
 
“His courage has been inspiring and I hope that people who hear about him will think about supporting the fight against cancer wherever they may be,” said Polzin.
 
Jones calls Alamo Golf Club, where he began serving as an apprentice in 2000, “my second family. It’s the only job I have had in golf. Everyone has been 100 percent supportive in adapting to the schedule I’ve had to undergo treatments. I’m blessed to have a great wife, Mackie, and three awesome girls – Lauren, Audrey and Caroline.
 
“I’m working to not let cancer run my life. I’m going to enjoy this week with Ryan and do what anyone would in my situation – taking things day to day.”