Baird began playing professionally right after his time at VSU. His first pro tournament was the Valdosta Open, and he received a $1,000 check. Four years later Baird was playing on tour.

Baird might make a living playing golf, but he doesn’t play it for fun.

“I don’t play golf strictly for fun,” Baird said. “I think that’s one thing that would surprise most people. I fish for fun. I enjoy golf. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it, but I don’t go out and play a round of golf in the middle of the offseason for fun.”

Baird, 36, is married with three kids ages five, three and one. Although traveling on a weekly basis can be a grind, Baird didn’t go more than a week without seeing his family in 2008. Most of the time his family comes with him.

“It’s great,” Baird said. “It’s difficult at times, but it’s not any more difficult than what anyone else who has to go to work all day. We just happen to bring our kids on the road. They love flying on airplanes which they think is the coolest thing and we get to show them different parts of the country. It’s awesome.”

VSU is hoping that Baird comes back to do another fundraiser in the future.

“People here are able to relate to him because he played at Valdosta State,” Purvis said. “People in Valdosta try to keep up with him and are always asking how Briny did this weekend, even if they didn’t watch the tournament. Our goal is that maybe this can a turn into an annual thing or every couple of years thing so we can let him know how much we appreciate everything he’s done in representing VSU on such a national level.”