SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Each time Joey Vrzich completes a golf swing is a reminder to live life to the fullest.
Forever inked on the inside of the Pepperdine senior’s left bicep is the date July 4, 1989 (drawn as 7.4.89 and accented by a curvy line with three strikes through it to signify Vrzich, 22, being the third oldest of his four brothers), and it becomes visible once Vrzich’s shirt sleeve rides up his arm on his finish.
“You know, I wasn’t supposed to be here,” he said.
Nearly 32 years ago, before any of the Vrzich boys were born, Vrzich’s father, Michael, was driving his motor home along Interstate 8, returning from Parker, Arizona, to his home near San Diego, when an 85-gallon propane tank exploded, engulfing the camper in flames.