Michael Wharton-Palmer loves the game of golf.
How else do you explain spending thousands of hours and dollars to play the game at an elite level with no financial reward?
A native of England, Wharton-Palmer came to the United States in the mid-1980s and attended Centenary College in Shreveport, preparing for a career as a pediatric dentist.
He set up shop in Texarkana during the 1990s, making a name for himself at the same time as one of Arkansas' best amateur golfers. Wharton-Palmer could have flirted with professional golf, but chose to not go that route.
After playing in several mid-amateur events when he turned 35, Wharton-Palmer took some time off. His game wasn't where he thought it should be, and his dental practice couldn't be neglected. Somewhere in between there was a divorce to be dealt with, but he remarried three years ago, which also turned a switch on in regard to playing competitive golf again.
"Debbie (second wife) has been so encouraging and is the main reason I've returned to playing competitively," Wharton-Palmer said. "She's been an extra coach for me. When things go wrong she usually figures it out. She keeps me level, and doesn't mind putting me in my place. It really helps when you've got somebody on the bag who really cares."
That's right! If you haven't figured it out, Debbie also caddies for her husband. She carried his bag the final 36 holes last week at the Golfweek Senior Amateur in LaQuinta, Calif., where Wharton-Palmer made his debut as a senior golfer.
The 54-hole event was played on a Jack Nicklaus course and a Pete Dye layout in Palm Springs.
And guess what? Wharton-Palmer won by five shots.
"I hadn't competed competitively on a consistent basis in a decade," the 55-year-old Wharton-Palmer said. "My passion for golf is as strong as ever. Last weekend was a great welcome back to competitive golf.
"I've been working hard, spending probably the last five years rebuilding my golf swing. I have a new coach (Dan Whitaker), who lives in England. I'll go over there twice a year to work with him and see my family. He's been coming to the States twice a year, too."
Most of Whitaker's instruction involves video. Wharton-Palmer said he'll send video to his coach.
"I probably send him video every four or five weeks," Wharton-Palmer said. "I know my own game better now than I ever have. Dan doesn't want to be on the end of a phone every single day. He teaches you to know your own game."
All the hard work paid off immediately, but not financially. He brought home his pride and a big trophy for winning the Golfweek Senior Amateur.
"The defending champion was in the final group with me on Sunday," the new title holder said. "I knew I was near the top, but it wasn't until we got to the eighteenth tee that I found out I was first by three shots.
"The 2016 champion said, 'I guess I'm not going to defend this year.' I went on to chip in on the final hole for birdie to finish the tournament four-under-par."
There were a lot ups and downs during Wharton-Palmer's California adventure.
"In the first round I turned a 68 into a 73, giving away a lot of strokes with silly mistakes," he said. "I played well in the second round, and turned a 72 into a 69."
Wharton-Palmer explained he had hit two water balls on the second day, but buried a long bogey putt, and chipped in for par on the other hole. He finished with a 2-under-par 70 in the final round for a 212 total.
"This was the first major on this tour, which has about thirty events," he said. "This win gets me into their Tournament of Champions at the end of the year. I hope to play in eight or more tournaments, but it's pretty expensive out here.
"One of the guys I played with said he had played in 26 events last year, and it cost him more than fifty thousand dollars, which includes entry fees, lodging, food and travel. None of these events are close to Texarkana."
Wharton-Palmer's next trip is to Arizona for a 4-Ball. His next individual tournament is tentatively set for Hot Springs. He also plans to play in the Arkansas State Amateur.
"Most of my events on the Golfweek Tour will be at the end of the year," Wharton-Palmer said. "I should pick up some invitations thanks to last week's win.
"I love golf, it's my passion; but I also love my job and working with the kids," Wharton-Palmer concluded.
Right now it appears he has the best of both worlds.