There’s no doubt about it, Alabama’s Troy University laid things on heavily to welcome back its Bermudian alumnus Kim Swan to be its Fall Commencement Day keynote speaker. And all indications are that the leader of the Official Parliamentary Opposition played his part brilliantly responding before the 400 graduating students.Kim’s prowess as a budding international golfer had brought distinction to Troy. He was a star walking the university’s halls during the late 1970s, leading up to graduation in 1980 with his Bachelor of Science degree. But that was nothing like the celebrity treatment accorded him this time around. His name and smiling face were in lights, on billboards, in the media as he and his wife Cindy was highly profiled everywhere.He was described as “a standout golfer playing under Troy’s legendary coach Mike Griffin”. He led the Troy team which placed fourth in the 1979 NCAA Division II Championship at El Macero Country Club, Davis, California and was named MVPSwan acknowledged his debt to Troy at the ceremony on Friday, December 10. “All that was only made possible, in part, because of the watchful eye of Coach Mike Griffin,” he said. “He was a great coach who helped polish my game. He is also a great man, who helped shape me as a person and to prepare me for a tough world of uncertainty; to be prepared to face any situation.“Today, as a political leader,” the Opposition Leader declared, “the guiding principles and values hammered home by Coach Griffin continue to hold true in my life. Truth be told: good values never get old. Coupled with belief in yourself and the courage of your convictions, you can go far.“The rules that Coach Griffin insisted that we adhere were, get up early, dress well, work hard, show respect, look at people when you’re addressing them, be respectful on and off the course, always remember who you are representing. Those are principles that would make any young adult a good person, for all times and all occasions, and, by extension, help to create a better society. Oh yes, ‘The Griff’ was tough, but he needed to be and, with hindsight, I remain grateful to have been part of his programme, one of the most successful in the country.”