Miler learns perspective with surgery and Mid-Am win

Tom Miler knows what it takes to win. He has been a top performer at just about everything he has done in his life, whether it be playing basketball at Augustana College, being a top amateur golfer in the area, a successful banker in Kewanee and solid family man.

His winning a golf tournament isn't that big of a surprise. But his nabbing the Illinois Mid-Amateur title last month was eye-opening considering the circumstances; it came just over three months after surgery to remove bone spurs from an ankle that took a beating while in his hoops high-tops. Because of that, his Mid-Am victory also left him very appreciative of everything he has accomplished in his athletic career.

"From the first of December until two or three weeks after the surgery, I had difficulty walking," said Miler after Saturday's opening round of the Midland Amateur at his home course in Kewanee. "I had a lift in my shoe and needed a crutch to get around."

The second surgery of this kind wasn't surprising. "In 1977 I had surgery for the same thing and they said then that they would come back. It took 25 years, but they came back."

The surgery, while keeping him off his feet, also kept his golf game shelved. He said he didn't even pick up the clubs until the first of April, so his expectations for such a big tournament so early in the season were really tempered as were his hopes for the entire season.

"Maybe not having very high expectations helped," said Miler, who finished second by a stroke in the 2004 Mid-Am, with a wry smile.

He shot 78-70 at White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville to beat a tough field. Also there were Moline's Joe Irwin, who was among the group of first-round leaders at 2-over 74 before finishing tied for 10th and Fred Lukasik, a Rock Islander who played in the U.S. Sr. Open in 2002.

"It was just one of those things," said the humble Miler of the victory. "It was a tough day to play and for some reason, things went well. It was windy and cold and a rain storm blew through about an hour before our tee times. It's a tough enough course to play without that."

That prestigious victory would have been enough to change anyone's outlook for the season, with loftier expectations sure to follow. For Miler, though, all it did was change his schedule, earning invites to a few events offered to the Mid-Am champ.

But it sure didn't change the humble Miler. He was still chagrined over an even-par round of 72 on Saturday, showing plenty of self-deprecating comments about not discriminating while hitting bad tee shots, bad irons and bad putts.

Still, he was able to smile.

"For four months, I couldn't even play," said Miler. "It makes the little shots that you mess up not nearly as important. I do appreciate golf a little more now."

Yes, a little perspective is a beautiful thing. Just ask Tom Miler.

Tom Johnston, sports writer for The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus welcomes your comments at (309) 757-4969 or tjohnston@qconline.com