A couple’s charge to change

Bryce Alderton

Writing a book can be a solitary adventure for many authors.

That is not the case with Corona del Mar residents and avid

golfers Becky and Roger Tirabassi.

The married couple’s zest for life and golf culminated in a third

book that reached shelves July 6. The book, titled “Transform Your

Game: 9 Fundamentals of Golf That Will Change Your Life,” focuses on

how strategies used on the golf course carry over to every day life.

Becky and Roger Tirabassi are each in professions that help people

-- she is a motivational speaker, certified fitness instructor and

business owner while he is a licensed professional counselor.

They have been married 26 years and chose to focus their first

book on golf’s relationship to marriage.

For their most recent publication, they looked within the family

for added assistance.

Becky’s brother, Rick Hunter, a PGA instructor at the Ayala Golf

Center in Chino Hills, offered correct terminology and focused on

ensuring the Tirabassis each had the proper stance or grip in the

photos.

The Tirabassis wanted to appeal to a greater audience.

“We didn’t want to write on how golf is, but how it could help

change your life,” said Becky Tirabassi, 49, who battled alcoholism

and drug addiction over 20 years ago. “Businessmen are successful

because they have mentors and attend business conferences to improve

their skills. It is the same if you try and improve your life. The

truth is, you might have to start over again and again. You have to

be willing to try again until you succeed.”

The nine fundamentals are broken into chapter-like form and all

contain a specific theme such as “practice like the pros” or

“overcome the hazards.” The Tirabassis write on how the theme applies

to golf and to life.

Roger Tirabassi, 57, has spent a majority of his working time the

last 10 years conducting marriage counseling sessions. With the focus

on golf, he said the latest book provides another avenue to reach

men.

“Reaching men is tough,” he said. “Ninety percent of the people

who go to counseling are women, so we had to find a different way to

communicate to a man. [The book] gives a language of golf that some

guys might not otherwise read.”

In the opening chapter titled “begin with a charge,” the

Tirabassis chose to recount Arnold Palmer’s remarkable

come-from-behind victory at the 1960 U.S. Open. Palmer began the

final round 15 strokes off the lead. Reports of the tournament

revealed Palmer got inspiration from a group of journalists who said

he didn’t have a chance of winning.

The Tirabassis, using Palmer as an example of determination, go on

to speak about the importance of attitude in any endeavor.

“[The book] targets golfers and those who love them, but you don’t

have to be a golfer to benefit from the book,” said Becky Tirabassi,

who has written 10 other books in addition to the three she authored

with her husband. “Some might even take up golf from it.”

The Tirabassis play when they can, mostly at Tustin Ranch Golf

Club -- where pictures in the book were taken -- but also at Costa

Mesa Golf & Country Club or “just about anywhere,” said Roger

Tirabassi, who has devoted time to church ministries for the last 30

years.

“Our mission in life is to help people,” Roger Tirabassi said.

Becky Tirabassi is planning a workshop for women age 16 and older

titled “Get a Grip on Life” in Newport Beach at a date to be

determined next month. The day will include workshops on changing or

improving any area of life using golf as a reference. Fees are $200

for an individual, $100 for students and $600 for a foursome.

As part of the registration fee, attendees can participate in a

short-game competition at the Hyatt Newporter and will receive books

and journals, lunch and dinner.

Call 1-800-444-6189 or visit transformyourgame.com, where the book

resales for $14, for more information.