His mentor, Franci Betancourt, was a a three-time World Cup of Golf participant for Venezuela in 1966, 1968 and 1975.

Knew very little English when he initially arrived in Houston.

Picked up the game by playing with a broomstick and a rock. Eventually began playing at a nine-hole course near his home built for oil-camp employees.

Was a standout third baseman as a junior baseball player.