Bud Cauley is featured in PGA Tour Studios’ premier episode of “Mindful.”
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In June 2018, PGA Tour player Bud Cauley was involved in a life-threatening car accident in which he suffered a broken leg, a collapsed lung and six broken ribs. The injury and resulting complications derailed his career for years.
Last Thursday, not only did Cauley make his season debut at the Sony Open in Hawaii, but he was featured in the first episode of new PGA Tour Studios series called “Mindful.” In the show, he revealed a message from his father that helped keep him moving forward: “Don’t stop running.”
Directed by Skyler Morton and produced by Ben Gavlik and Sean Martin, “Mindful” is a show that explores golfers’ relationships with the mental game and how they handle challenges they face on and off the course. Launched with the Cauley episode, “Mindful” will feature a new story every month, with February’s episode featuring comedian Katt Williams. Viewers can stream the series on the PGA Tour’s YouTube and social media channels and at PGATour.com.
“There’s absolutely something in there for everyone who plays the game,” said Laura Neal, executive vice president of content and creative at PGA Tour Studios and an executive producer for the series. “Even if you don’t play golf there’s probably some relatability there from the mental health side, or recovering from injury or how you prioritize faith or family.”
According to Neal, director Morton brought up the idea for the show last spring. Neal said she and the team immediately loved the concept as it offered PGA Tour fans what they’ve been asking for – deeper and personal access to the players.
“What players do on the course is super impressive, and that’s why we’re all here, but our fans want that deeper access and to understand what makes these guys tick,” Neal said.
Neal said Cauley was the perfect subject to launch “Mindful.” There are not many people in golf, or in life, who have overcome more obstacles than him.
The very first line of the episode shows how he’s turned the car accident that uprooted his life into a positive.
“The worst thing that’s ever happened to me led to the best thing that’s ever happened,” Cauley said. “Getting married and starting a family, it changed my perspective on life a lot. I spend all day just thinking about them.”
“Avoiding some hard things is the best way to go but if someone sees this and they are dealing with something difficult and it inspires them to persevere that would be great.”
Bud Cauley
If Cauley hadn’t been in the car accident, he might’ve never met his wife, Kristi. They might’ve never had their kids, Cooper and Miles.
Cauley said the main reason he wanted to be a part of the project was to say a public thank you to all the people who have helped him through his struggles. If his story can inspire others, that’s an added bonus.
“My grandmother had a funny saying when I was growing up,” Cauley said. “She was like, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ I had to learn that the hard way. So avoiding some hard things is the best way to go but if someone sees this and they are dealing with something difficult and it inspires them to persevere that would be great.”
Cauley has a mesmerizing story, but Neal said he’s also a perfect subject for the show because he’s been playing great golf. Last year, in his second full season back after a three-year break, he notched four top-10s, including a T6 at the Players Championship.
“It’s great for a debut episode to have someone who feels like they’re on the cusp of making that final step towards the comeback,” Neal said. “It’s perfect to get this story out there so that fans can now follow him and be engaged and root for him as he continues to make those strides.”
PGA Tour Studios is still looking for more subjects for “Mindful” as it pursues its one-episode-a-month goal. Neal hopes Cauley can be a voice in the locker room, telling his peers about the opportunity to share their stories and relationships with the mental game.
“When you say we’re going to explore the mental side of the game, that means one thing to one person but it means another thing to another person times a million,” Neal said.
The subjects of “Mindful” aren’t limited to PGA Tour players. The next episode will feature Williams, a comedian. While the choice might be surprising to some, Neal said Williams’ love for golf makes him a natural next step after Cauley.
“With Katt, I could listen to him talk about golf all day,” Neal said. “So I think having the person following Bud Cauley be someone from outside the professional ranks, but really has a passion for the game and how he applies it to his career, is a great second step to show the variety.”
Featuring non-professional golfers on “Mindful” is also part of the PGA Tour’s broader strategy to attract non-traditional viewers. When celebrities like Williams, and even LeBron James, talk or tweet about golf, the game reaches a wider audience than the people who watch PGA Tour events every week.
“There’s so much crossover right now of athletes and musicians and celebrities who are interested in the game,” Neal said. “I think the opportunity to fold non-PGA [Tour] players into this series and others, the net is as wide as it’s ever been for us which is super exciting.”
The next episode of “Mindful” featuring Williams will be released on Feb. 12.
Everett Munez
