Covering one round of a Champions Tour event

Birdscribe,

The smart ones out there are great because they realize that they are sooooooo stealing money.

The courses are set up so they can make birdies. Most weeks there isn't a cut. It's free money.

But there are still some dicks out there - cough, Tom Kite, cough - but most of them are pretty good.

 

with players I know, I like to walk at least a few holes with their wife or family members or buddies and get some insight that way. Lots of times they are more forthcoming about stuff the player wouldn't even think to tell you after a round or you wouldn't think to ask.
Bird is right -- the old guys are pretty media friendly, except for a few that I've encountered who were total a--holes.

 

With my schedule right now, it's like using a wedge to split a log, more than the (unintended but appropriate) golf metaphor.

 

You're just hitting on the hot golf wives. I know your M.O.

 

HH; Seriously, one word of caution---don't even think about pulling out your tape recorder inside the locker room. It's against posted PGA Tour rules, and they will enforce it. Trust me. I did it one time when the player I was interviewing insisted we use it (he knew I much preferred it) and he insisted on holding it himself, but I still got my butt chewed royally by a tour guide when a security guard squealed on me.

 

Thanks for the tip, but I'll try real hard to stay out of the locker room.

 

Tom Kite? Really? My dealings with him have always been cordial.

A certain PGA champion from Virginia who used to be a CBS commentator was a lot more difficult. So was a two-time U.S. Open champion from the late 80s who used to be an ABC commentator, but he's mellowed in my (very) limited dealings with him of late.

Generally, as you aptly pointed out, these guys are enjoying life's best mulligan, so they're not going to upset it -- especially in this economy.