THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505020121
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, Hobert Day was pushing a mower at Smithfield Downs Golf Club. Today, he manages the golf course.
Day is responsible for scheduling tee times, tournaments and ordering supplies. He moved into management three years ago, and the only responsibility he doesn't have is tending to the course itself, he says.
``It's not a hard job because I enjoy it. But it keeps you going because you have to satisfy the public.''
Several years ago, Day walked off a hot golf course at Smithfield Downs and made a decision that changed his life: to lose some weight.
Eight months later, Day - who says he once topped 400 pounds - was 225 pounds lighter.
``I ate salads and drank grapefruit juice. I punished myself, and I got lucky.''
To maximize weight loss, he worked out two to three hours a day, seven days a week, he says. The first week was his biggest: 25 pounds. Other weeks he lost as little as 3 pounds.
``After I lost my weight, I went to get checked by my doctor, and he didn't recognize me. He thought he was in the wrong room. And I've known my doctor for 20 years.''
Name: Hobert Day
What brought you to Isle of Wight? It's home.
Hometown: Carrollton
Birthdate: Jan. 22, 1961
Occupation: Golf course manager
Marital status: Married
Children: First one due in September.
Favorite movies: ``Caddyshack'' and ``Smokey and the Bandit''
Favorite magazine: Golf Digest
A book you wish everyone would read, and why: ``Jack Nicklaus: Golf My Way.'' So people could learn the correct way to golf.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner and walking around at the mall.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Captain George's
Favorite food and drink: Seafood and Pepsi
Few people know . . . that I used to weigh more than 400 pounds.
Worst habit: Not picking up after myself.
Pets: Three dogs
Hobbies: Golfing, NASCAR racing and fishing
Ideal vacation: Golfing in Florida
Pet peeve: People being late
First job: Picking peaches in the Davis peach orchard.
Worst job: Picking peaches.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Losing 225 pounds.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``He did it his way - most of the time.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Hobert Day
by CNB