For the many, many of you who've been taken with young Kyle Lograsso, the five-year-old who's used his love of golf to help him fight and overcome eye cancer, the recent HBO Real Sports program on Kyle is a must. It's episode #124, and still available on HBO on Demand. Frank Deford was the reporter.

A transcript doesn't do it justice, but here are few snippets...

On his first meeting with instructor Bob Huber:

BOB HUBER: Well, he called he said, "I got a three-year-old boy, I'd like to have you look at him."  I said, "Sure.

Voiceover
And that's when local instructor Bob Huber first saw it: a pint-sized replica of Tiger Woods.

BOB HUBER:
I just had 'em, put-- gave some ball-- golf balls there on the practice range, and he started hitting them, and-- and it was like, "Wow."
FRANK DEFORD:
Did you know that he had-- was missing an eye?
BOB HUBER:
His dad told me that.  But, when I watch him swing I don't even notice there's any handicap at all. It doesn't appear in his golf stroke or in the way he plays golf.

Surprisingly, the toughest part of the game for Kyle hasn?t been trying to overcome his limited depth perception.  He?s already shot a remarkable 41 for nine holes.  But rather, it?s learning to accept the fact that even prodigies occasionally miss shots.

KYLE SOT ?How did that not go in??

Of course, while having a prosthetic eye doesn?t make golf any easier?it makes being a little brother to his older sister Kristen a lot more fun?.

KYLE LOGRASSO:
I put my eye in a cereal box.
FRANK DEFORD:
You put your eye in a cereal box.
KYLE LOGRASSO:
Yes.  And Kristen put cereal in her bowl, and-- and she-- she taked a big bite and she says like; There's something in here.  And she screamed so loud that she even ate my eye

Worth revisiting....

--Bob Carney

I'm more proud of my reputation than the fact that I won a lot of tournaments. Byron Nelson

Last week, Kyle Lograsso, the little boy fighting ocular cancer who was the subject of Dave Kindred's moving profile in May, got a very nice note from his hero Tiger Woods. Over the weekend comes another message that he'll appreciate, also from a major champion, via author Kindred:

Dave,
 
I just read your article (Courage of a Tiger) on 4-year-old Kyle Lograsso.  What an inspiration he is to all of us.  I have a 3-year-old son who's also playing golf.  Maybe one day they can get together for a round. 

Please pass along my well wishes to Kyle and his family. 
 
Shaun Micheel, 2003 PGA Champion

Shaun's son, Dade Palmer, was born just a few months after Micheel won at Oak Hill. I emailed Shaun to ask if it would be okay if we used his note on this blog. Sure, he said. "I really enjoyed the article. I just wish that there were more stories like that out there in the media these days."

And finally comes this word from the Lograsso's that Kyle got a very special voicemail message over the weekend. Tiger Woods called him, wished him good luck and told him to keep practicing.

You think that might be a message Kyle saves for a while?

—Bob Carney

"Hey, Kyle...Stay strong and keep practicing." Tiger Woods

Through Golf Digest Contributing Editor Mark Soltau, comes this message from Tiger Woods to Kyle Lograsso, the 4-year-old profiled by Dave Kindred in the May issue. Kyle, who suffers from ocular cancer, is an avid, accomplished golfer whose hero and inspiration is Tiger.

Upon hearing the story and Kyle's devotion to him, Tiger said: "Hey, Kyle: Read your story in Golf Digest and am glad you're doing so well. You're an inspiration to all of us. Stay strong and keep practicing. All the best, Tiger"

For all the letters and messages from readers to Kyle, see our Features area....

"Don’t let the bad shots get to you. Don’t let yourself become angry. The true scramblers are thick skinned. And they always beat the whiners.” Paul Runyan

The letters about the Kyle Lograsso story in the May issue haven't slowed down a bit. Much praise for 4-year-old Kyle, his parents and Dave Kindred for telling the story. For families who might be faced with a similar challenge, there is this nice note from Hayley Maragos, development director of the Eyecare Foundation in New York City, another source of information on ocular cancer:

We're a non-profit organization providing educational information and and support services to individuals and families affected by eye cancer.  We also conduct and fund research.  Rb is a rare disease, but affects about 350 US children each year.  Internationally, the survival rate is much lower than here in the US.  We recently published a coloring book, called Joey's Special Eye, for the siblings of children with Rb.  Utilizing clear language this book is a way for children to understand what is wrong with their little brother or sister.  I'd be happy to send you a copy. Again, thank you for bringing attention to this disease and featuring a true hero, Kyle.

Chris Lumanlan says, What really caught my attention before reading the article is the picture of Kyle holding his follow through.  I also have a 3 year old son who is right handed but swings baseball bats and his 7-iron left handed. Every once in a while you need a story like this to remind you of all that you've been blessed with.  Please do us a favor and keep us posted from time to time about the young career of Kyle.

A number of you have asked for regular updates on Kyle. We plan to do just that.

"Some people say he's the next Tiger. We're just happy that he's Kyle."
-- Jeff Lograsso

Hard to remember a story a that generated more letters, or better ones, than the Kyle Lograsso story by Dave Kindred in May. Here's two more, the first from Lori Simmer of Lake Worth: "My 2-year-old, Brady, has bilateral retinoblastoma.  He was diagnosed at 3 months old - has been through 13 rounds of chemo, 14 cycles of radiation and 25 laser treatments.....and we're still fighting.  I am so thrilled to see all types of media coverage on this disease... World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week is May 13th-19th and we'll be seeking even more coverage during that time period.  It is so refreshing, though, to take the angle you took and exhibit this little boy as a survivor/little athlete - not allowing the fact that he has only one eye to get in his way.  It gives parents like me even more hope for my son (who may probably lose BOTH of his eyes to this disease)..... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!"

From Minnesota,  a U.S. Forest Service fire engine captain and father of two boys, has this message for Kyle: "Kyle, when I was a little boy I lost the vision in my right eye from a hunting accident.  I had to write this message to tell you how proud of you I am, in overcoming your vision impairment.  It’s a hard adjustment to make, but you are going to grow up and live a great life. I did it and I know you will over come it as well. With hard work and dedication you will accomplish all of the goals you set out to do.  You are sourounded by a wonderful family and amazing doctors. You are an inspiration to others,  keep up the good work." --Chris Kottke

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the piece by NBC10 of Philadelphia. And for more photos of Kyle and his family at home, click here.
-- Bob Carney
Photo: Michael J. LeBrecht II/I Deuce 3