I'm sitting in the back of the Whispering Pines clubhouse right now finishing my press release while rules official-in-charge Jeff Morton is addressing all 24 team captains. There's no way I can access the much-needed bathroom without walking in front of (and likely tripping over) all of them. Crap.
Whispering Pines lookes amazing, as usual. And even better...I get free housing in an on-site garage apartment! *air guitar*
More later.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Icelandic Golf Team
One of the teams I have to talk to is the Icelandic team. What's golf like in that country? I mean, I have some ideas but....
Also, if they're anything like the Icelandic Junior Hockey team that played the Mighty Ducks in D2 the U.S. better watch out. Although I'm pretty sure 2006 PubLinks Champ Tiffany Joh could serve as their Julie "The Cat" Gaffney equivalent.
The Spirit Official Site (With Live Scoring!)
World Ice Golf Championship Official Site
Also, if they're anything like the Icelandic Junior Hockey team that played the Mighty Ducks in D2 the U.S. better watch out. Although I'm pretty sure 2006 PubLinks Champ Tiffany Joh could serve as their Julie "The Cat" Gaffney equivalent.
The Spirit Official Site (With Live Scoring!)
World Ice Golf Championship Official Site
Headed up to Trinity for The Spirit
After running a few errands today I'll be headed up I-45 to Whispering Pines Golf Club for The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship.
For those not in the know, The Spirit is a biennial Olympic-style golf championship. Four-person teams (two men, two women) from 24 countries compete for five medals: men's team, women's team, overall team, and men's and women's individual golds.
Off the course, it's basically Hogwarts for golfers. There's a Luau, a karaoke night, a BBQ, a campfire party, AND they all get to stay in an Olympic village!
I'll try to do as much mooching as I can. Made easier since the World Health and Golf Association, who run the event (and Whispering Pines) are paying me to write press releases. Sweet.
I'll also be live-blogging whenever I can.
For those not in the know, The Spirit is a biennial Olympic-style golf championship. Four-person teams (two men, two women) from 24 countries compete for five medals: men's team, women's team, overall team, and men's and women's individual golds.
Off the course, it's basically Hogwarts for golfers. There's a Luau, a karaoke night, a BBQ, a campfire party, AND they all get to stay in an Olympic village!
I'll try to do as much mooching as I can. Made easier since the World Health and Golf Association, who run the event (and Whispering Pines) are paying me to write press releases. Sweet.
I'll also be live-blogging whenever I can.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Top 10 Most Hilarious Things About the Administaff Small Business Classic
10) The two ladies who randomly got past the gallery rope when we were interviewing Arnold Palmer. Arnie said "I'm pretty tired," and they interjected, "YOU ARE?! ON SUCH A NICE DAY?!!" in the most bubbly way possible. Resultant working press stinkeye...priceless.
9) Jack Ingram being reuinited with former babysitter Melanie Hauser.
8) To hear Arnold Freaking Palmer, The King, say after a pro-am partner hit an impressive drive: "You tore the ass off of that one!"
7) While interviewing Fuzzy Zoeller remarking that Augusta Pines was made as a replica of Augusta National. His reply: "Really?! Hadn't noticed!"
6) Tom Kite's glee at Texas Tech beating A&M 35-7 and his laughing at Javorskie Lane's guarantee.
5) Me telling Ben Crenshaw that Dad cried when he won the 1995 Masters.
4) Melanie Hauser: "I'm not criticizing you, I'm improving you."
3) The 7-year-old girl who reacted to Tom Kite's autograph as if he were Hannah Montana. Then she pounded a pack of Skittles and ran around the press tent. Not kidding.
2) Me analyzing Jeff Bagwell's golf swing to his face.
1) "Ladies and Gentlemee, you're 2007 Administaff Small Business Classic champion...Longhard Banger."
9) Jack Ingram being reuinited with former babysitter Melanie Hauser.
8) To hear Arnold Freaking Palmer, The King, say after a pro-am partner hit an impressive drive: "You tore the ass off of that one!"
7) While interviewing Fuzzy Zoeller remarking that Augusta Pines was made as a replica of Augusta National. His reply: "Really?! Hadn't noticed!"
6) Tom Kite's glee at Texas Tech beating A&M 35-7 and his laughing at Javorskie Lane's guarantee.
5) Me telling Ben Crenshaw that Dad cried when he won the 1995 Masters.
4) Melanie Hauser: "I'm not criticizing you, I'm improving you."
3) The 7-year-old girl who reacted to Tom Kite's autograph as if he were Hannah Montana. Then she pounded a pack of Skittles and ran around the press tent. Not kidding.
2) Me analyzing Jeff Bagwell's golf swing to his face.
1) "Ladies and Gentlemee, you're 2007 Administaff Small Business Classic champion...Longhard Banger."
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The Mustachioed One
So I interviewed Gary McCord the other day, he's as goofy as advertised. Wackiness always makes for a great interview. But he's more than just a funnyman, he's one of the most approachable guys out there. When I walked to him and started firing off questions he interrupted with "Name?" See, that tells you a lot when a pro cares about who is interviewing him. With too many it seems like they don't care who's interviewing them, as long as it's over quickly.
Easily the most impressive moustache in professional sports. Moustache wax must be one of the most entertaining things to purchase. If I needed some, I would always find the most inexperienced looking store employee and ask them where it was. Think McCord uses Dapper Dan or Fop?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Yesterday was a banner day. I got to interview one of the "freakings." As is Jack freaking Nicklaus, Tiger freaking Woods, or Arnold freaking Palmer. In this case, Arnie. The King showed up to play in the pro-am with pal and business partner Administaff CEO Paul Sarvadi. What's amazing to me about Arnie is how popular he remains. It was Wednesday morning and he still had a sizable gallery. Palmer is the most accommodating golfer in history, which is why he's the game's greatest ambassador. He never hesitated to sign a ton of autographs and pose for pictures throughout his round. He's not a tenth of what he was in his golfing prime, and you can tell it bugs him. I admire that. If anyone has deserved to let it all hang out and play some below-average golf it's Palmer. But the competitor in him can't help but be a little cheesed at the state of his game. Deep down, he's still the golfer who reigned at Cherry Hills in 1960.
I also had a good conversation with Ben Crenshaw, my dad's idol growing up. I had to embarrass Dad by telling been how Dad cried in front of the TV when the final putt dropped in the 1995 Masters.
The Administaff has been blessed by one of the best fields this season. 29 of the Top 30 money-winners are at Augusta Pines this week. It seems like there is a past major champion in every other group. There are a lot of Champions Tour rookies who could be a threat: John Crook, Jeff Sluman, and Fred Funk to name a few.
More to come later, plus pictures!
-Alex
I also had a good conversation with Ben Crenshaw, my dad's idol growing up. I had to embarrass Dad by telling been how Dad cried in front of the TV when the final putt dropped in the 1995 Masters.
The Administaff has been blessed by one of the best fields this season. 29 of the Top 30 money-winners are at Augusta Pines this week. It seems like there is a past major champion in every other group. There are a lot of Champions Tour rookies who could be a threat: John Crook, Jeff Sluman, and Fred Funk to name a few.
More to come later, plus pictures!
-Alex
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday at the Administaff Small Business Classic
It's 7:00, I'm still at the Media Center here at Augusta Pines. Had an exciting day and promise to update more when I get home. Right now I'm going to try to squeeze in one more interview before I leave. More to come, promise!
-Alex
-Alex
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