JohnBarry Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Thought I would start this off. Name any golf pros you have met, relate the story, tell us about the person behind the person~! John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmmmmmBuddy Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I have met Greg Norman, Phil Mickelsen, Stuart Appleby, and played golf with Aaron Baddeley. I don't have time to relate all the stories now, bit I will.. Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR Hybrid - ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S 2 Iron - ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S Irons - ZX7 MKII 4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Wedges - RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Putter - L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbo32 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I have met Greg Norman, Phil Mickelsen, Stuart Appleby, and played golf with Aaron Baddeley. I don't have time to relate all the stories now, bit I will.. Dang thats an amazing list. I haven't met any but I have been an arms length from Phil at the AT&T 3 years ago. The closest I have been to meeting or playing with a Pro was actually playing a practice round with a kid from the Canadian tour who no longer plays. Titleist 905R 9.5* w/ RIP Beta 60x Adams 4060 16* w/ Matrix F7M2s Maltby KE4 Tour 19* w/ AXE Xcaliber Tour Hybrid TS Adams CB1 3-PW w/ KBS Tour S Hardstepped 1x Scratch 8620 DS TNC grind 53* & DS EGG grind 58* w/ Dynamic Gold S300 Ping Redwood D66 w/ KBS Tour Black Nickel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 I have met Greg Norman, Phil Mickelsen, Stuart Appleby, and played golf with Aaron Baddeley. I don't have time to relate all the stories now, bit I will.. I agree, great list, and can't wait for the full story! John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Saternus Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I got an autograph from Geoff Ogilvy at the PGA Championship at Medinah in 2008. He was very gracious about signing autographs and seemed like a really nice guy. Probably not on par with Nic's stories, but it's a start. Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lagolf31 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Back in the day when I actually could play the game, I spent a couple years toiling around the Canadian Tour and had the opportunity to meet Steve Stricker and Mike Weir. Of course, this is before they went on to greater things and I went on to selling insurance Even back then those guys were on a different level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 Back in the day when I actually could play the game, I spent a couple years toiling around the Canadian Tour and had the opportunity to meet Steve Stricker and Mike Weir. Of course, this is before they went on to greater things and I went on to selling insurance Even back then those guys were on a different level. Very nice, hope it worked out for you all!! John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lagolf31 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Very nice, hope it worked out for you all!! It worked out great! I got a daughter and wife out of the deal I got my ass kicked all over the course and realized I just wasn't that good. My pride hurt for about three seconds and then moved into the club pro gig for ten years...realized I wasn't going to make enough moolah to survive and then went into my current profession. Still love playing golf (probably even more now) and life is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyfedora Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I play Golf regularly with a pro that was on the PGA and Champions. And he just happened to play for the yankees and was MVP of the 1962 World Series... No big deal. PING: Rapture V1 9° Aldila VS Proto 'By You' (65 Stiff) TITLEIST: 906F4 15.5° Aldila VS Proto 'By You' (80 Stiff) COBRA: 5w Speed LD F/ST Tour AD YS Designed by Graphite Design made for Cobra Stiff PING: S59 Rifle 6.5 Soft stepped PING: Tour 48°, 52°, 58° Byron SS Custom 006 Titelist Pro V 1 Ping hoofer Vantage "Everyday you miss practicing, it will take you one day longer to get good." -Ben Hogan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamo Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 None.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 It worked out great! I got a daughter and wife out of the deal I got my ass kicked all over the course and realized I just wasn't that good. My pride hurt for about three seconds and then moved into the club pro gig for ten years...realized I wasn't going to make enough moolah to survive and then went into my current profession. Still love playing golf (probably even more now) and life is good. Then everyone won for sure. Grats on the family, and I am sure a big grats on enjoying the game more now! John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP GolfSpy Dave Posted March 9, 2010 SPY VIP Share Posted March 9, 2010 Shaq and Brian Shaw (@UCSB though) Shaq is scary big. My buddy met Natalie Gulbis in the local shop here. Lucky dog. Volvo Intorqueo All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 Only "Pro" I have ever met was Doctor J, when he was in town and playing at a club I like to play. I finished before him, so I waited a bit, I didn't want to approach him on the course. He parked his cart and walked into the Pro Shop. I waited till he spoke with the staff for a minute and then walked up and introduced myself. He said, "John Barry, are you the same John Barry that played." he laughed, so did I, he must have known I have heard that before. He was nice, polite, listened to me, and then introduced me to his foursome, some friends of his. I shook his HUGE hand and asked him how he played. He took a ball from his pocket, launched it about 20 feet into a trash can, swished it, and said "I wish I played half as good as that shot." I didn't ask for an autograph, not a fan of it, gave him a business card and told him if he's in town anytime and needs a 4th, I would love to play! John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmmmmmBuddy Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 These stories can get a little long, so here we go. My first "Tour Pro experience" came about 5 years ago. I had a chance to travel to Las Vegas and play golf with Badds. We played at Bali Hai, right on the strip. He was so unassuming and totally genuine. That kid has one amazing short game. He can chip and putt it like no one I have ever seen. I will be a Badds fan for life. I will try to get to some of the others later. Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR Hybrid - ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S 2 Iron - ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S Irons - ZX7 MKII 4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Wedges - RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Putter - L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Saternus Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Shaq and Brian Shaw (@UCSB though) Shaq is scary big. My buddy met Natalie Gulbis in the local shop here. Lucky dog. If we're going to expand this to basketball players I could go on for a while. Lots of really solid guys, few, if any, bad stories. Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Didn't want to, just never met a Pro PGA player before. John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamo Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Shaq and Brian Shaw (@UCSB though) Shaq is scary big. My buddy met Natalie Gulbis in the local shop here. Lucky dog. Very lucky indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbo32 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 These stories can get a little long, so here we go. My first "Tour Pro experience" came about 5 years ago. I had a chance to travel to Las Vegas and play golf with Badds. We played at Bali Hai, right on the strip. He was so unassuming and totally genuine. That kid has one amazing short game. He can chip and putt it like no one I have ever seen. I will be a Badds fan for life. I will try to get to some of the others later. So many guys on tour I can't remember them all but who is Badds? Titleist 905R 9.5* w/ RIP Beta 60x Adams 4060 16* w/ Matrix F7M2s Maltby KE4 Tour 19* w/ AXE Xcaliber Tour Hybrid TS Adams CB1 3-PW w/ KBS Tour S Hardstepped 1x Scratch 8620 DS TNC grind 53* & DS EGG grind 58* w/ Dynamic Gold S300 Ping Redwood D66 w/ KBS Tour Black Nickel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBarry Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Arron Baddeley? John Barry Bring the Funk, Back to Golf The Golfer's Trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmmmmmBuddy Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Correct. He could be one of the nicest dudes on tour. Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR Hybrid - ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S 2 Iron - ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S Irons - ZX7 MKII 4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Wedges - RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Putter - L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGage Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 All of these are actual real conversations, or more....except Phil Mc, he was one of those "run-in" situations: PGA TOUR Phil Mickelson - met him during a tournament when we had an "accidental" covnersation Justin Leonard - met him when I was taking lessons from his instructor, Randy Smith Hunter Mahon - met him when I was working at a club in Dallas and he was a kid; he'd often come and play with some of the members (this was when he was around 12 and would come over and play with some of the other kids) LPGA TOUR LPGA'er Taylor Leon - knew her when she was a kid and I was working at her family's club in Dallas LPGA'er Kelli Kuehne - met her when I was working at a club in Dallas; she'd come out to practice some Original LPGA'er Marilynn Smith - met her when I was working at club in Frisco; she introduces herself as "Marilynn Smith, one of the founders of the LPGA" LOL Dottie Pepper - met her at the same club, it hosted the LPGA skins game SR TOUR Fred Couples - met him when I was working at a club in Dallas; actually helped him tweek his club Andy Bean - met him when I was caddying at the Sr Tour event at my club and he was in my group Bob Charles - met him when I was working golf retail and he came to our shop for an event day Jim Dent - met him when I was in NC and served as caddy-master for the Vantage Championship Raymond Floyd - met him when I was working retail; our store was just down from Wake Forest and I got to know Ray Jr; met dad through jr Hale Irwin - met him when I was caddying at Sr Tour event at my home club, and I was caddy for his brother Phil Tom Kite - met him at same Sr Tour event; was in the club sitting around waiting for Hale...just happened to be sitting there with Kite and a few others (I don't even remember who) Mike McCullough - played in a pro-am with him Bruce Summerhays - met him actually on my home course; I was playing alone and he and his son paired up with me to play the last 3 holes; he was getting an early look at our course before the Sr Tour event moved here Leonard Thompson - met him when I volunteered for walking scorer at the event at my course Walter Hall - same as above, but I had already met him when I worked retail and my shop did his club work Fuzzy Zoeller - met him when he was in a group I was caddying for in Sr Tour event LEGENDS Dave Marr - met him when he was doing a function for a medical conference I was a guest at Tom Watson - met him at my home club/course (that he designed) Jack Nicklaus - ok...this was only when getting his autograph NATIONWIDE TOUR Nick Malinoski - knew him from the club I worked at in Dallas, he and family were members Ron Whittaker - knew him from the retail shop I managed; it was down from Wake..knew him there, then ran into him when I worked in Dallas; we'd play some golf every now and then OTHERS Bob Ford - head pro at Oakmont; met him when caddying for Sr Tour event and he was in my group Casey Martin - met him when I was the "naked model/guest student" in a Jim Hardy teaching session - Casey was one of the attendees Rick Masingale (sp?) - hit balls next to him and chatted some when I worked at club in Dallas Brad Elder - met him when I was in Dallas and taking lessons from Randy Smith; I was playing with some of Smith's hot-shot college guys and Elder joined us for a few holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP GolfSpy Dave Posted March 11, 2010 SPY VIP Share Posted March 11, 2010 ^^^^^^^^ Winner Thread over now. WOW! Volvo Intorqueo All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGage Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 ^^^^^^^^ Winner Thread over now. WOW! That's just because I worked in golf retail, at some of the right clubs, and had the Sr Tour come through my home course for a couple years -- lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamo Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 All of these are actual real conversations, or more....except Phil Mc, he was one of those "run-in" situations: I give up. I will never attempt to meet another tour player again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP GolfSpy Dave Posted March 11, 2010 SPY VIP Share Posted March 11, 2010 That's just because I worked in golf retail, at some of the right clubs, and had the Sr Tour come through my home course for a couple years -- lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, that's all. Nice that you are so humble about it, but it is still an amazing list. Lucky or not, meeting all of these people is cool. I like that HM was a kid too. That had to be cool to see him on the tour. Volvo Intorqueo All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmmmmmBuddy Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I have forgotten to add a few.. Casey Martin.. As the Coach of My Ducks, I see Mr. Martin about twice a month. Jason Allred Won the US Junior in 1995 or 1996?? beat Trevor Immelman in the final. Played on the PGA tour a few years. I played a little with him when he was in High School. Unbelievable talent. Boo Weekley. Met him at a Tour Event. Funny and down home. Just like on TV. Luke Donald... Signed an autograph for me... Looked at me like I was gonna sell it NO WAY!!! I have had a few dinners with the Nationwide tour players when they used to come to town. Some of them are on the Big Boy tour now. Steve Wheatcroft Ed Loar.. Still Trying.. Super nice guy. Wicked funny. Not as good as NGage, but not too shabby. I've been lucky. Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR Hybrid - ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S 2 Iron - ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S Irons - ZX7 MKII 4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Wedges - RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Putter - L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Saternus Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 This seems like the thread NGage was made for. That's a seriously impressive list. Any comments on all those guys you've met? Particular nice/rude guys, anything like that? Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddyjoe77 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I met Cristie Kerr once....rude....one of those i am so much better than you attitudes. Now we all know that golfers have to be donfident as the game is all about confidence. But she was way beyond confident if you catch my drift. People Sleep Peacibly in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. -- George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGage Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Nice that you are so humble about it, but it is still an amazing list. Lucky or not, meeting all of these people is cool. I like that HM was a kid too. That had to be cool to see him on the tour. Yeah...kinda neat to see them go from little kid to the big time. Taylor Leon is the one that stands out most that way. She was like 9, and I remember how excited she was to turn 10 -- hitting double digits, LOL. Even neater since I now have a 10 yr old of my own. I saw her almost daily -- her entire family was big time into golf. Her dad was a pretty good player (single digit hndcp), and she had two older brothers that were really into golf. The dad was definitely aggressive about them both learning and playing the game, It was obvious that he had plans for them beyond just casual golf. Both of the brothers went on to play major college golf(Ok St), just like Taylor. Funny thing is, back then she wasn't all that crazy about golf. Next thing I know....a few years down the road I see her playing on The Curtis Cup. She was a sweet little super cute kid. Hope she's still a nice girl. I'll look forward to seeing her play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmmmmmBuddy Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I met Cristie Kerr once....rude....one of those i am so much better than you attitudes. Now we all know that golfers have to be donfident as the game is all about confidence. But she was way beyond confident if you catch my drift. CaddyJoe, do you work in the golf business in Vegas?? Just curious.. Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR Hybrid - ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S 2 Iron - ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S Irons - ZX7 MKII 4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Wedges - RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat Putter - L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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