News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5051 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE April 21, 2009

ABAC COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WILL FINALLY GET HIS DIPLOMA

TIFTON—It took 26 years but Jim Sparks will finally get his diploma from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at the spring commencement ceremony on May 7.

There’s even an extra added attraction for the Hendersonville, N.C., native. ABAC President David Bridges asked him to be the speaker for the 6 p.m. ceremony in Gressette Gym.

“I’m shocked but I am honored,” Sparks said. “I’m looking forward to coming back to ABAC.”

It’s all about golf. Sparks graduated from Hendersonville High School as the 1978 Carolinas Junior Champion and the 1979 State of North Carolina Junior Champion. He accepted a golf scholarship in 1980 to East Tennessee State University.

Things didn’t quite work out so in 1981, Sparks transferred to ABAC to pursue his Turfgrass Management degree and to play on the Stallions’ golf team under Coach Wayne Cooper.

Sparks had a sterling career with the Stallions, leading them to their first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament appearance in 1982 and then again in 1983 when he was named an NJCAA All-America selection.

To graduate from ABAC, Sparks needed to pass the Regents’ Test. After falling just short on several occasions, he decided to give professional golf a try and played on various mini-tours and for a time on the PGA tour.

“I wanted to graduate from ABAC but I just couldn’t pass the Regents,” Sparks said. “I figured it was time just to go on and do something with my life.”

In 1994, Sparks started a golf course construction and renovation company called Course Doctors, Inc. Now it’s a nationwide company that has renovated and constructed numerous PGA tour courses.

Tragedy hit Sparks right in the face 18 months ago when his mother and brother were murdered in their home by an intruder.

“I have always tried to be a positive person,” Sparks said. “It was hard. But I picked up my life and kept going.”

In memory of his mother and brother, Sparks and his family set up a scholarship called the Ricky and Connie Sparks Memorial Scholarship for Hendersonville High School graduates based on character and a passion for never giving up.

While at ABAC, Sparks struck up a friendship with former Intramural Director Newell “Sarge” Dorsey. Dorsey was inducted into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame in February, and Sparks returned to Tifton for the ceremony.

“Our family has always been friends with ‘Sarge’, and I have asked Dr. Bridges if ‘Sarge’ can present me with my diploma,” Sparks said. “He used to send my mother pecans, and she sent him back apples.”

Sparks will share his life story about perseverance with his fellow graduates but he is most looking forward to one thing.

“I’m finally going to get my ABAC degree,” Sparks said.

A total of 185 students are scheduled to participate in the commencement ceremony.

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