Introduced to golf by aunt and uncle, then spent time at Big Tee Golf Center in Buena Park, Calif., where he picked up range balls and in return was allowed to hit them back out. At age 11 began taking lessons from legendary Eddie Merrins, the long time head pro at Bel Air CC in Los Angeles. Father, Jerry, who owned a gas station, would drive son every Sunday for 7 a.m. lesson with Merrins, an hour from the May's home in La Habra. At age 16, qualified to play in 1985 Los Angeles Open.