Remembering Jerry

Gerardo Loyola chats on the first fairway at Spring Hills Golf Course on Thursday. Behind him is "Jerry's Tree," a tree planted in honor of his son, Jerry, who used to work at the golf course. (Glenn Cravens/Register-Pajaronian)

Serjio Sanchez was on the third tee at Poppy Hills a couple of years ago trying to make it through a Northern California Golf Association qualifying tournament.

His tee shot went off target, and the ball ended up on a bunker.

He approached the ball and had thoughts of playing it safe, having already made a mistake just moments ago.

It was decision time. His caddy and close friend, Jerry Loyola Jr., made it simple for him.

“I wanted to punch it out,” Sanchez said. “Jerry looked at me and said, ‘What do you mean punch out? You’re a player. Players don’t punch out. Get your 7-iron and kill it.”

Sanchez took the advice of Loyola and hit the ball out of the bunker and onto the green.

Sanchez started walking out of the bunker when Loyola tossed him the rake.

“He said, ‘You rake it yourself,’” Sanchez said.

It’s one of the many memories people have of Loyola, whose life will be remembered this weekend.

For the complete article see the 08-18-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 08-18-2012 paper.

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