I knew Patrick growing up. The story is NOT true. His parents, and sister Love him. They gave him All the opportunities. If you had a child playing professional sports. You would know the sacrifices they made. Driving him to private lessons. Buying him greatest equipment. Giving him have a country club membership. Caddie for him. then Justine walks in his life. caddies for him, controls everyone around him. His first love. He is Blind, Eyes Closed. He is Ungrateful, My Prayers, and Hope is HE restores the relationships. Until then I pray HE never wins. When the money stops, Justine, Janet her mom and brother Caddie for him will walk out. Patrick is the Meal ticket. Read Barstools News Story. It’s True.
17
Remember the commandment "Honour thy father and thy mother".
28
Wow, after reading this article I know one thing.....who NOT to root for. Hopefully some day Patrick Reed will grow up, act like a man and speak with his parents.
52
Helluva golfer. Justine seems to be the bedrock of his foundation. Good for him to have found sound footing, probably love too, emerging from what seems to have been toxic beginning. The writer might have spent more time on the strong family unit he has built around himself, in spite of what came before. Would love to see him continue to prosper.
35
There is little to admire about this man. Bring skilled at a game doesn’t make you a decent human being.
61
There is such a thing as a Peace Order which could limit the parent's presence. Additionally, the notion of stalking rears its ugly head. The aggressive behavior by the parent towards the player's wife is a clear indication of danger in any court. Should the parent decline to abide by the Peace Order, a judge could be most unforgiving. A visit to a court commissioner and an attorney by Reed wouldn't be a waste of time.
37
Seems like a private family matter that some family members are trying to force into the public sphere. Neither I nor anyone else outside the family knows or needs to know the exact details. It's very suspicious to have people that know you don't want them around stalk you for publicity.
69
His father and sister are behaving like stalkers. Very creepy that they sneak around at tournaments where he is playing. Given the father made threatening gestures towards his wife, perhaps it might be appropriate to get restraining orders against father/sister.
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My only advice for a younger man is to be as nice as humanly possible to your parents and be respectful to them. If the chips are ever really, really down, they will likely be the last people to ever leave your side. Not so your kids and absolutely not so your spouse. Sorry, I'm am just speaking from experience. Burning bridges and holding grudges with family is never a good idea, if it can be avoided. Be humble in the face of all the gifts you now have because fortunes can and do change.
49
@Mike Sorry, this is bad advice to a guy who's parents treated him poorly
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@Mike
This comment reminds me of the saying "Choice makes friends, chance makes family."
Unless and until you are in a dysfunctional family, you should be careful about advising anyone to stay in contact with any relatives that make them unhappy or uncomfortable. You don't know what life in that clan is really like.
Take it from someone who has every reason to keep a continent between her parents and herself.
Sorry, I am just speaking from experience.
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@Mike
I think it is spot on advise. Patrick is Blind!
What kind of dad is is. Doesn’t speak to his parents, and sister. Very Sad. He was given ALL the opportunities that most kids don’t get.It was HIS parents sacrife. I know his sister sacrificed while they drove him Hours away for lessons. Chased his dreams tournaments. He is in Thankful! It’s VERY sad. I Hope he restores His relationships. Justine, YOUR the problem. NO TEAM in GOLF
1
That old chestnut is not accurate. Blood is not thicker than water. You and your relatives are all genetic accidents. You can chose your "family" from family members and friends with the best set of attributes that propel you through life.
40
Have Reed's parents been disruptive at events? If not, what's the problem as long as they've bought their own passes? It's a public event...
15
@Everyman in 2014, "security officials opted to escort Reed’s parents off the course and confiscate their badges after local law enforcement officers observed Bill Reed making what they described as “intimidating movements” toward Reed’s wife."
So yes, they've been disruptive in the past.
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@Lizbeth
Not true, Justine, says whatever she needs to say.
This is Very Sad, to think of having your parents removed. Patrick should of stood up to her.
Public event that they Blessed their child his entire 22 years with Lessons, Tournaments, Golf Equipment. Time. You don’t have kids yet...
3
Face to face with not the worst chapter in his life, but face to face with his life.
5
A restraining order against the parents and sister would suffice.
11
I play and watch a lot golf and I have to admit that I find Patrick Reed annoying.
However, this situation in which his father and sister stalk him at tournaments is totally inappropriate and unacceptable, and perhaps even illegal. At the very least he ought to be able to obtain some sort of restraining order to keep them from interfering with his game.
Reed's father and sister are obviously trying to disrupt his concentration and play; they should be banned from his presence while he is playing.
You can be sure that if one of Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriends showed up at one of his tournaments and started following him around and stood at the green while he was putting she would be ejected on the spot--and rightly so.
Something I thought I'd never feel yet do thanks to this article: sympathy for Patrick Reed.
50
There are probably many more family issues than the authors of this story know. It is sad that families become fractured but certainly not uncommon. However, this is a golfer and he should be given privacy with ALL his family issues. At one time there was such a thing as a private life but a public figure no longer can expect that. SAD!
12
I hope that Mr. Reed starts using his right to eject fans who do not obey the rules. Doing so will not make him a villain, and those who say otherwise are simply wrong and can be ignored.
His parents and sister are very clearly in the wrong here. They should not be following him around the course and finding back-door ways into his gallery. This behavior does not reflect well on them or suggest that they have their son's and brother's best interests at heart. I feel for Mr. Reed. I can't imagine how hard it would be to concentrate on your job under those conditions.
No wonder he doesn't want to see them when they act that way.
40
Wow. Reed's parents need to grow up. And his sibling needs to stay out of the fight also.
No matter Reed's personality issues, his parents' interference in their adult son's life has only hurt them and the rest of their family. He is a very talented player who has an obviously successful marriage. Why risk his son's success by showing up at tournaments and making their presence known? What children.
56
The only thing I find golf useful for is background noise when I want to take a nap. I live in Naples,Fl where there are at least 85 golf courses. Yes, 85. At least they provide a place to crash land for local pilots.
31
When your child brings home someone they love, you take that person in with all the kindness you have. You spend time with them, and learn to see them through your child's eyes, understand what that person gives your child that they need. The less you are initially fond of the love interest, the more you have to extend yourself. Whether or not the relationship succeeds, it is not up to you. You are there to enjoy and listen to your adult child and make them both feel appreciated and welcome with you.
Golf is a very exacting sport, with supposedly high standards of honor and behavior. I doubt that golfers are different from any other group of people, ethics wise. Reed strikes me as authentic, which I will take any day over holier than thou patriotism and faith. Heavens knows what skeletons are in their closets.
106
@Shef Beautifully and perfectly said.
16
@MarieDB. thank you, very nice to hear.
12
@Shef There are some unsaid assumptions in what you write and that's okay but none of us know besides Patrick's somewhat veiled remark about his family thinking he was too young to marry. I thought my best friend was making a mistake when she married the guy she did. I told her so because I pledged to be honest with her. She married anyhow. I behaved toward him, of course, in an accepting and lovingly way. She didn't resent me for speaking my mind or want to ban me from being around where they were. There is so much we don't know about this. I'd be cautious about throwing his family under the bus.
29
At age 10 in the throes of experiencing my parents divorce, I was expressing through tears the anger and hopelessness I was feeling to an uncle. He took my hand looked into my eyes and said, "Always remember, you get to pick your friends but you don't get to pick your family". Those simple but true wise words have helped me navigate several decades of managing life's family difficulties with calm and objectivity.
21
It's a shame that this narrative runs ahead of one of the sport's yearly highlights.
I do not care about this particular fellow's enduring soap opera. I hope the CBS crew calling the event don't bring it up. I wish things were different for this man and his family. I can't help but think the parents and sister showing up at random events might be an attempt at reconciliation.
It's unfortunate to be sure - but it is not golf and this tournament is supposed to be about the world's best trying to beat each other in a tough and beautiful setting.
If Reed were not last year's winner, would we be reading about this?
22
As an older man with addicts/alcoholics in the family I can't help but sense some possible issues here.
Inappropriate behavior, lack of boundaries, a young man with deep insecurities and pain, acting out in college, lack of effective communication, etc.
Rough stuff that begs for professional help.
57
While no one can pretend to know their familial situation with any certainty, what is known about Reed professionally leaves much to be desired, and offers seemingly unmistakable clues that Reed is thin-skinned, holds enormous grudges over the pettiest of slights, possesses too little self-awareness, and all the while, is offered unwavering support by his wife and his wife's family.
That unwavering support from his wife and wife's family would otherwise be a positive in many regards, but with respect to his kids and his choice to never letting them meet or visit his parents and sister, the ongoing unwavering support takes on a rather cruel and extraordinarily negative sheen.
81
@BW Totally agree. If he's concerned about his "bad guy" image, now that the estrangement story is out, one would think that he would do all he could to mend the fences so that the family can at least be cordial rather than continuing to threaten to throw them out if he sees them. He would have much to gain from trying to be large, as would his kids, his reputation, and maybe even his game. Maybe he would even become a little likeable.
23
Sounds to me like two really stubborn men. The women should appease them. Unless it's of course the mom. Bad boy carousing at school can leave lot of scars on the family. The odd thing about bile, a foul fuel for families, is that it can start to taste OK, familiar, righteous. The hard scrabble truth about forgiveness and apology is that it acknowledges wrong doing in the past and that's an unapproachable red line, especially, sadly, for men. Cynically, maybe golfer Reed treasures his 'edge' and to right the boat and recalibrate familial affections might smooth that edge and dampen his play.
3
@scott hylands. The women should appease them???? Really? Between baking cookies and doing the laundry? Reed is an adult who's made his decisions and at this time isn't interested in rekindling relationships with his parents. Their behavior edges toward stalking. Not exactly the kind of behavior that would make Reed want to reconsider.
21
Nearly every (estranged) family has its own secret sauce. Always amusing when outsiders play the guessing game of "What's in it?"
You'd be surprised by the tiniest ingredient that makes it "special."
My in-laws tried desperately to torpedo our pending nuptials (they lost). The situation seems similar and I can assure you that any attempt to wreck any relationship ends badly for the couple, the in-laws, the kids, the pets, the careers, or all of the above. It is the nuclear option that will repercuss for years.
If you're weak, you're done. If you're (anyone in the mix) strong, stubborn, you'll likely find yourself very alone. If you have the right stuff, the naysayers will likely come around where they'll be kept at arms length, wondering why they aren't invited over all that much.
People are often blind to their own disease.
That the parents and sibling pop up like Waldo looks bad on them. Better to take the more back channel and eat your crows whole in private.
In the meantime, buy hardhats.
49
Is the story about his family estrangement, his bad boy reputation, or something else?
Just play golf. If there are people bothering you, get security involved. Save the melodrama for People magazine.
20
It sounds as if father and son may may share some similarities when it comes to NOT recognizing when to knock it off, so to speak.
The father ought not to do this, if he actually wants to reconnect to his son. OTOH, if Patrick Reed can learn to concentrate with the family stalkers, he could probably maintain focus through a hurricane.
Who knew golf could be such a soap opera? Which does I have to admit, make a tournament a bit more fun to watch.
9
Considering how his parents were seen acting aggressively towards his wife, I understand why he wants to keep away. He has no duty or responsibility to have a good relationship with his parents
47
@Christian
What ever happened to being “the bigger person”?
4
Oh dear, a professional athlete with a bit of an attitude has family problems, and people wonder how it affects his game.
Just imagine how it is for family members from abusive families or living in poverty affects their lives.
50
@Michael Piscopiello
Kinda snarky there, aren't you? Maybe the "professional athlete w a bit of an attitude" is trying to protect his young family from an abusive situation we know nothing about. Maybe consider that we really don't know, or need to know, what's actually going on. Probably didn't think about that possibility during your leap to judgement.
14
@TLibby
Not judging Reed. Just the reality for many others is worse, and our over paid athletes are coddled enough
4
All the focus appears to be on the behavior of his father and sister. Maybe the problems lies with the son and his wife's family. I also find the reporting to be somewhat biased in favor of the golfer,
48
@Andrew Macdonald agreed.
10
@Andrew Macdonald if that were the case, seems like it would be easy for the father and sister to avoid him. Like, by not showing up at the golf tournaments. That's how I've avoided him. :-)
15
@Andrew Macdonald regardless of what the initial fight was over and who was at fault, it's clear that Reed has said he doesn't want to see his family, and doesn't have contact with them.
The fact that they keep showing up at his place of work and following him (and on one occasion, threatening his wife!) makes me think that they're interested in causing problems, not reconciliation.
35
Let's see, Patrick Reed has done some things that are indicative of a person who is... an insufferable jerk.
On the other hand it makes you wonder if he was raised by wolves.
Oh well, it's fun to watch guys like this melt down because Golf is merciless to the unbalanced types.
16
Maybe golf is more interesting than I thought.
39
@Walter McCarthy: NOPE. Still a good walk, spoiled (attributed to Mark Twain).
5
Whatever Reed's personality issues are, this is a shame. I have estrangements in my family - a father who is out of my life by my decision, and a beloved niece who has cut me and every other member of our family off. The situation with my niece is painful. I've searched my conduct and communications with her for any explanation of the shunning, and I'm left with only that she has issues she needs to work through on her own before she can feel comfortable with family again. That said, if she were in a situation like this, there is no way I would impose myself by appearing at the sideline. Even if I meant it as support and love, to her I imagine it would feel more like sabotage. I can't imagine what his family is hoping to achieve with this.
89
Family estrangement is often a complex affair, but I have always believed that sharing a bloodline with family members does not give them a passport to throw emotional spears at other family members.
Sometimes, estrangement is both needed and necessary, especially if there has been emotion/physical abuse.
We don't know the details of why Patrick Reed has decided he is better off without his parents in the picture but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
As for his parents showing up at the tournaments uninvited by Mr. Reed, I don't for the life of me see how that is going to do anything positive toward a reconciliation.
117
What could his estranged parents hope to achieve by showing up? Can they really think that their presence is anything but a distraction? They can watch the rounds on TV, if they really want to see their son play. Reconciliation is best done out of the spotlight - if they want that, they should stay away. Unless that's not what they want - unless their reasons are selfish and undermining. Which may have caused the estrangement in the first place.
144
@KCMiller, maybe it's their only way to see him at all and the only way they have to remind him that they exist.
17
Seems an odd situation with his long estranged family. Must be more to the estrangement than their reluctance to accept a young marriage as to never seeing their only grandchildren. And why shadow him at tournaments, other than to watch him play. He clearly is not intent on seeing them, even in the gallery.
Golfer seems eccentric, but no more so than other sports stars with larger than life egos
10
My sister passed away Sunday--life is short. These folks are going to have a lot of sad, soul searching days ahead to face at some point.
73
@TNT
Respectfully, they may well not have that experience. Estrangement is never chosen lightly, and is always chosen because the alternative is even more painful.
Also, for many people, the soul searching happens before the estrangement, rendering moot the need to do it later.
72
@TNT - Or not...
3
I know it’s probably a private situation, and seems like the estrangement may have something to do with his wife or in laws, but it’s still a very sad situation. I wonder if his parents and sister have tried reconciling with him and he rebuffs them. He needs to get past it if that’s the case, being a father himself and thinking of his kids not knowing their grandparents and aunt.
21
@Jules M--Estrangement from family is not always sad. Sometimes it's the healthiest thing to do. Patrick has the right to conduct himself as he chooses. His family should respect him and not follow him at matches, particularly because they know they are unwanted. It's possible that not respecting boundaries could be part of the problem that caused the estrangement.
179
@Ms. Pea I play and watch a lot golf and I have to admit that I find Patrick Reed annoying.
However, this situation in which his father and sister stalk him at games is totally inappropriate and unacceptable, and perhaps even illegal. At the very least he ought to be able to obtain some sort of restraining order to keep them from interfering with his game.
Reed's father and sister are obviously trying to disrupt his concentration and play; they should be banned from his presence while he is playing.
You can be sure that if one of Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriends showed up at one of his tournaments and started following him around and stood at the green while he was putting she would be ejected on the spot--and rightly so.
Something I thought I'd never feel yet do thanks to this article: sympathy for Patrick Reed.
12
It seems that his parents and sister still love him. I hope they get a chance to reconcile at some level.
22
@Charmaine
What kind of love is it to show up where you are clearly not wanted and know that your presence will likely have a negative effect on the one you “love”?
121
@Charmaine There is a microscopically thin line separating love and the need for control. No parent has the right to express an opinion about their adult child's marriage, regardless of how ill-advised they may believe it is.
The best gift any parent can give their grown children is a pair of lips -- tightly closed.
32
@Charmaine. This is love? When their son has made clear he wants them to stay away, the dad and sister effectively show up at his workplace and follow him all day? Sounds like the family could just as easily be considered intrusive and disrespectful.
63