04/19/24
May 20, 2003
"I just love the game. I love the challenge. It's my favorite sport." -- Brett Hull, describing golf.
Ufez, you stole my thunder. Considering how pervasive a sport golf seems to be for almost everyother professional athletes' lives, it's surprising it hasn't happened yet. I bet Vijay wouldn't complain if Anna K got a promoters bid to play in a tournie. And he definitely wouldn't pull out if fortune shone down on him and he was paired with the lovely lass who can't win a tennis tournie to save her endorsement career.
posted by garfield at 11:56 AM on May 20, 2003
It seems everyone plays golf these days (or, like me, plays at golf). As for athletes from other sports, It's often been said here in Atlanta (rumors, hearsay, what have you), that John Smoltz's handicap is low enough that he could qualify for the PGA tour. He is widely acknowledge to be the best of his golfing group, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Of course, the Braves need him as a closer at the moment.
posted by trox at 12:02 PM on May 20, 2003
You don't need to have played in the PGA to get on the Senior Tour.
posted by hootch at 12:19 PM on May 20, 2003
For every one pro athlete out there who thinks they'll make a run at the Senior Tour when their professional days are over, there are about 10,000 club pros, Nike Tour Guys, European Tour Guys, College All-Americans, just-can't-quite-make-it-through-Q-school guys, and duffers playing 72 holes daily with the same exact idea. My money's on them.
posted by vito90 at 12:40 PM on May 20, 2003
Didn't Johnny Bench try to play the Senior Tour a couple of years back?
posted by trox at 01:20 PM on May 20, 2003
Good for Brett Hull for trying and all, but damn! It kills me when these guys try another sport when us normals are stuck dreaming about just playing one. Maybe I'm a selfish jerk, but I'm glad he Jordaned. And please don't Bo Jackson me.
posted by Samsonov14 at 07:44 PM on May 20, 2003
Very interesting. I've never liked Brett (not that he hasn't had a formidable career, it's just a personality thing) but it would be fascinating to see any pro athlete retire and take up golf professionally. Do you have to have played in the PGA to get into the Senior Circuit? If not, this could become a reality. Oh, and: "He was out here, trying to get better, and that's the only way you can," said Jimmy Walker, one of Hull's two partners. Dyn-o-mite!