Piper adds music, heritage to The Players
By Erica Opisso
May 10th, 2007
From the tips of his Ghillie brogues shoes to the top of his Glengarry hat—Jim Sloan is a proud piper—a bagpiper to be exact.
His back is straight and his steps measured as he walks and plays down the halls of the new TPC clubhouse—beckoning visitors into a reception room following Deane Beman's Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony yesterday.
You may have heard the squeaks, grunts and blasts from Sloan’s bagpipe this morning as he announced the first tee time of The Players—a bright and early 7:20 a.m.
Playing from the towers of the clubhouse or out on the lawn, Sloan—a St. Johns resident—is a festive sight harkening back to golf’s Scottish origins.
A bagpiper for the last 30 years, Sloan said he is happiest when he sees the “enjoyment and awe I bring to people who have never heard the bagpipes before.”
But if you ask him what he likes about his hobby—Sloan answers with a big smile and says coyly, “I refuse to answer that.”
The Celtic carvings on his wedding band, bagpipe and tie clasp tell of his family’s ties to Northern Ireland.
He says he owns a few kilts made with the family tartan but only dons those for special occasions.
In his sporran—the little bag attached to his kilt—Sloan says he keeps his wallet, cell phone and bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
“No pockets,” he says.
As the pipe sergeant for the Jacksonville Pipes and Drums, Sloan is a busy bagpiper with weddings, balls and other special events throughout the year.
But he also has a full time job designing and selling industrial equipment.
If you’re lucky enough to be in earshot of Sloan and his bagpipe, give him a friendly wave and dig out your camera—he says he doesn’t mine a photo or two.