CSCC Pro-Am
The Charles Schwab Cup Championships has three pro-ams. Today the pros were pro athletes of any sport, including Charles Barkley, of "Haney Project" fame. I was in the group behind Sir Charles, with Mark Mulder, who pitched for the Oakland A's and St. Louis Cardinals, led the league in wins in 2001, shutouts in 2001 and 2003, and complete games in 2003 and 2004, and was an all-star in 2003 and 2004. He was 2nd in the Cy Young voting in 2001. He was a good hitter, too. In 2006 with the Cardinals he hit .280, had on-base percentage of .400 and slugging percentage of .480, with a homer, 2 doubles, 5 RBI and 5 walks in 25 at bats. That was the year he hurt his rotator cuff and was on the DL for most of the season. He's a 0.5 handicap, and has won the last three American Century Championships, a pro golf tournament for pros from other sports.
Also in the group was Jim McMahon - no, not that Jim McMahon.
They started on 18, a par 5, and made par. Which pretty much ended their chances to win this tournament. The winning score was 25 under par, and they finished at -20. It was a shamble, where they pick the best tee shot and everyone plays his own ball from there. Plus, each player had one "elevate putt", because one of the sponsors is Elevate Phoenix, which means he could count a putt as having gone in from anywhere on the green. So when the 22 handicap gets on the green in regulation on a hole where he gets two strokes, because his pro hit a 300-yard drive, his putt from 60 feet is an automatic gimme for net double eagle. And if that wasn't enough, they played the first par 3 wrong. Instead of everyone hitting the 12-foot birdie putt, they all played their own ball on the second shot, and the guy on the green missed the 12-footer.
Mark is a very nice guy, and is selling real estate in Scottsdale now that he has retired from baseball. He agreed to play We-Ko-Pa with Dave and me and Dave's grandson, who is a 5 handicap on his high school team, but he's out of town when Dave's grandson is visiting, so that didn't work out. Too bad. I can only imagine how excited I would have been to play golf with a major leaguer when I was in high school.
Mark was a left-handed pitcher, but plays golf right-handed. I asked him about that, and he said he batted left-handed, but bowls right-handed, pitches slow-pitch softball right-handed, and in tennis hits a forehand both ways, but can hit a backhand only right-handed. Very strange, he says. I didn't see him write anything.
I'm working the other two pro-ams on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 2nd round of the tournament on Saturday (last group). If I survive the emergency dentist visit tomorrow. I think I have a loose crown.
Also in the group was Jim McMahon - no, not that Jim McMahon.
They started on 18, a par 5, and made par. Which pretty much ended their chances to win this tournament. The winning score was 25 under par, and they finished at -20. It was a shamble, where they pick the best tee shot and everyone plays his own ball from there. Plus, each player had one "elevate putt", because one of the sponsors is Elevate Phoenix, which means he could count a putt as having gone in from anywhere on the green. So when the 22 handicap gets on the green in regulation on a hole where he gets two strokes, because his pro hit a 300-yard drive, his putt from 60 feet is an automatic gimme for net double eagle. And if that wasn't enough, they played the first par 3 wrong. Instead of everyone hitting the 12-foot birdie putt, they all played their own ball on the second shot, and the guy on the green missed the 12-footer.
Mark is a very nice guy, and is selling real estate in Scottsdale now that he has retired from baseball. He agreed to play We-Ko-Pa with Dave and me and Dave's grandson, who is a 5 handicap on his high school team, but he's out of town when Dave's grandson is visiting, so that didn't work out. Too bad. I can only imagine how excited I would have been to play golf with a major leaguer when I was in high school.
Mark was a left-handed pitcher, but plays golf right-handed. I asked him about that, and he said he batted left-handed, but bowls right-handed, pitches slow-pitch softball right-handed, and in tennis hits a forehand both ways, but can hit a backhand only right-handed. Very strange, he says. I didn't see him write anything.
I'm working the other two pro-ams on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 2nd round of the tournament on Saturday (last group). If I survive the emergency dentist visit tomorrow. I think I have a loose crown.
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