Mark’s Kaddy Korner

Golf is not a game of perfect neither is life. Tiger is going through struggles on the course like he has in his life; the two are significantly intertwined. Anytime you see a golfer searching on the course you may also find him dealing with personal issues away from the game. A professional athlete has the ability to compartmentalize his life, block out interferences once on the playing field and compete at the highest level. Tiger’s personal issues were of such magnitude, now he’s making drastic changes in his golf game, he’s forgotten about the little things, or doesn’t have time for them. His short game and putting are suffering; he was the best at both for a long while.

David Feherty with Wounded Warriors at Improvised Explosive Golf Outing

Feherty's Improvised Explosive Day for Wounded Warriors

He makes us laugh; he helps them ease back into society after losing arms and legs for our country. He takes no prisoners and makes each one feel like a friend. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for them and probably vice versa. In San Antonio last fall I watched him in action at an Improvised Explosive Day golf outing. He abused each and every one of them, they left with smiles on their faces plus loads of thanks for the Champions Tour players involved that day. We should be thanking them; David and Rick Kell definitely are.

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Champions Tour Q-School, TPC at Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL

Driving across Alligator Alley Saturday morning I was thinking about the 7 or 8 Q-Schools I’ve attended over the years and only successfully graduated from one. There were three final stages on the PGA Tour, two on the Champions Tour, and a few second stage visits. I wouldn’t consider myself a grizzled vet at these things but seen enough to know no one really wants to be here. They are a necessary evil for struggling tour pros and a glimmer of hope for club professionals and low handicap amateurs.

Boeing Classic – Champions Tour – Snoqualmie, WA

We were more impressed with the vistas than the golf course when the Champions Tour first stopped here six years ago. The Jack Nicklaus signature course was designed for selling high end real estate but the layout stretching over three or four distinct ridges, across a couple deep ravines, and a precipice bordering quite a few fairways has turned into one of my favorite courses. 2006 was my last trip, my how it has matured.

First Tee Open – Champions Tour – Pebble Beach, CA

I really wasn’t sure I was going to Pebble until the last minute. In fact, I booked my flight late Sunday evening and flew into San Jose Monday afternoon. Luckily, I have some good friends, Jim and Lolita, in Santa Clara who understand the last minute arrangements caddies sometimes have to make. They picked me up at the airport, loaned me their car for a few days, and put me up for the week.

Driving across Alligator Alley early Tuesday morning I was staring directly into the sun and wondering what the week held. Sunday I’d hooked up with Jim Roy, some amateur who played a fabulous final round 66 at the Q-school to get his card. Could he really play? Was this going to be only a job for the week or maybe the year? What kind of guy is he? Is the pay going to be any good? All these questions were running through my head as I cruised into Boca Raton and the Old Course at Broken Sound.

By the time I’d gathered my luggage and boarded the Houston-Hobby airport rental car shuttle bus my long sleeve t-shirt was drenched with sweat. Our rather rotund bus driver announced, “Don’t worry honey, you ain’t gonna havta worry about the heat, it’s fixin’ to get real cold this afternoon. I can’t wait; I’m tired of sweating this year.” She was right; Houston experienced some God awful weather the next five days.

 No professional golfer ever wants to reach 80 on the course but I’m sure Arnold is happy he achieved this 80. What a life it has been. Here’s a little piece I posted earlier this year and thought I’d bring it out for his birthday.

“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind
has ever invented.” -Arnold Palmer

During last week’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic I was thinking about some memorable pro am experiences. Every week we have a scheduled pro am on Wednesday (Wednesday and Thursday Champions Tour), and there are three or four week long celebrity pro ams each year. I’ve been on the tee box with Presidents, movie stars, Hall of Fame sports legends, corporate CEO’s from every industry, and “Joe Hacker”. To be honest, I’m not sure where the best stories come from. I’m going to tell a few, you let me know your favorites.

First Tee with President Ford