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Published for AG September 2011 Print | Email

Cover Story - The Celebrity Golf Issue



Golfing with the Stars

Celebs spend some time � in between shots � to chat about a host of topics, including their golf game

Thanks to TMZ, “Entertainment Tonight,” “Extra” and all those celebrity gossip shows and websites, it’s become a lot easier to be envious of Hollywood and sports celebrities.

They get the prettiest girls, the shiniest cars, the best hookups, the lavish perks, and it’s all thrown into our faces over and over again.

When it comes to golf, they also use their celebrity status to get into the nicest clubs, score a tee time on the most exclusive courses and fill their golf bags with the latest sticks (for free).
Yet, when you see them play, it’s nice to know the sport doesn’t care about celebrity status. So it’s OK to snicker at that millionaire hoopster duffing a tee shot or that hunky actor sculling a sand shot across the green into more trouble.

Yes, when it comes to golf, those Hollywood and sports celebrities are humbled just like the rest of us.
This year for our Celebrity Golf Issue, we nabbed perhaps the most recognizable person in the world, President George W. Bush. Love him or hate him, you have to admire his passion for golf and the fun that’s associated with the sport.

We also caught up with perhaps the most beautiful luminary in the golf industry, The Golf Channel’s lovely Lauren Thompson, and talked about her fascinating job and career.

Let’s not forget all the other celebrities that we met and chatted it up with at the American Century Celebrity Championship in Lake Tahoe � the quote machine Charles Barkley, the hilarious Anthony Anderson, the heartthrob Jack Wagner, our favorite point guard Jason Kidd, and many more.

Us mere mortals might not ever get to experience the greatness that comes with being a Hollywood or sports celebrity, but at least we know they are just like us when it comes to golf. They love the sport for its competitiveness, challenge, ability to walk through the most beautiful settings and so much more. Unfortunately, their demanding schedules don’t allow them to play as much as golf as we do.
Hmmm, maybe for that reason the celebrities are envious of us.



Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay Packers Quarterback

How has your world changed post-Super Bowl? Are people treating you different, besides 500 interviews every day?
Just a little bit more recognizable when I’m out and about. But more opportunities. Bigger platforms.

Did you do anything to reward yourself for a Super Bowl win?
Not really. I was so tired from the season. It was such a long year I just needed a break. I took the first two months, and instead of going on vacation like I usually do and go to Australia or out of the country somewhere, I just relaxed, got back to my workout schedule and stayed on the West Coast. It was nice.

Being a Dallas guy, I apologize for the Super Bowl weather. Bad week.
Used to it.

Dallas wasn’t, as you saw, obviously, by the news. Mason Crosby said that you all used the weather to stay focused. Do you agree with that? Basically, the weather didn’t allow you to get in trouble.
Well, we had a good team. Our players didn’t have or cause a lot of distractions. I think it starts with (head coach) Mike McCarthy and (general manager) Ted Thompson, their philosophies and the kind of guys they brought in. I wasn’t worried this last year about character issues of the other guys. Especially the Super Bowl. We were there to win a game. There’s obviously a lot of distractions. I think Mike did a good job keeping guys focused.

Any particular golfer you pattern yourself after or try to emulate?
Style-wise, I’d like to say I’m a little bit behind Rickie Fowler, but maybe a little bit better than Boo Weekley. Not to rip on Boo, but doesn’t he wear like a big ol’ logo?

Have you seen your golf game gradually improve, or because of the time constraints that’s not going to happen?
I played less this season than I normally would because I’ve been pulled in a lot more different directions. And I’ve been tired. Instead of going out and walking 18 holes, I just relax.

Physical exhaustion or emotional?
Both. I think you need a month really to let your body get back, and longer than that to get your rest emotionally. It was a draining year both physically and emotionally, yet a lot of fun when it ends the way it did.



Andy Pettitte
Former MLB Pitcher

How much of an honor was it to be the last starting pitcher at Yankee Stadium?
That was awesome. I had shoulder problems that year and Yankees pushed me back a start so I could be able to make that start. That was one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had.

Let’s say I’m going to visit Houston for a couple of days. What are your favorite restaurants and hangouts?
I’m a terrible guy to ask that. There are a few places I’m stuck on like a Morton’s or Capital Grille, but if you love sushi there’s a place called Sage 400 by the Galleria. I live in Deer Park so I don’t go to the city much.

Besides your home ballparks (Yankee Stadium and Houston’s Minute Maid Park), what were some of your favorite places to pitch?
I loved pitching in [Baltimore’s] Camden Yards, Seattle was always a great place to pitch, and a real pretty place.

What were the ballparks where you didn’t like to take the mound?
I wasn’t fond of Cincinnati. It was a small ballpark. I didn’t really like Arlington [home of the Texas Rangers] because the ball really jumped there. Plus, I had so many family members who came to the game, so that was always tough.

When you graced our Houston cover, you did your famous stare that you gave opposing hitters from the mound. How did that come about?
I think it started real early in my career, perhaps my first couple of years in the minor leagues. I know in the minors you’re trying to zone everything out except for the catcher’s mitt, but it just kind of incorporated me pulling my hat down, bringing the glove up and me having more tunnel vision.

What does golf do for you?
I love it. It’s so relaxing, there’s competition, and it’s something I can do until I’m old and can’t walk anymore. I just really love this sport.



Anthony Anderson
“Golf in America” Host

How did you get the “Golf in America” gig? Did The Golf Channel come after you or did you go after this opportunity?
A little bit of both. I was in The Golf Channel’s ear about doing something with them. Then one day I got a call and they pitched the show to me.

Which story on that show touched you the most?
One that had me crying like a little girl on the couch at home was a marshal on the golf course was watching his son play. The son teed off, the ball hit a tree and came down and hit his father on the head, killing him. That was the one that got me because we went back to the golf course with the son.

Yeah, that event actually happened in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
I think you’re right. We followed the son back to the golf course years later. He didn’t give up the game of golf, but he just didn’t play that course since that incident. We went back to the tee box where it all happened, and just the emotion that filled him, his wife and his mom was so infectious and moving.

Looking at your career, you’ve got an eclectic mix of drama and comedy. It’s hard to fathom that Detective Kevin Bernard (his role on “Law and Order”) was also Jamaal Baileygates (his role in “Me, Myself and Irene”). Is this wide range of roles something you pride yourself on?
I do, because not everyone can do that. Not everyone is afforded the opportunity to do that who can do that. I joke and say that I have range like a rover. I do pride myself in that I can play in both comedy and drama. The tough part is getting the opportunities to do those.

What’s one role that you turned down that ended up being a big hit?
Nothing. I can’t say that I turned down something that went on to be a big hit. There were some things that I was up for that ended up being big hits. Fortunately for me, I can go to bed and sleep at night knowing I didn’t decline a role that became a smash hit.

What does golf do for you?
It’s a game you play yourself. I’m not competing against anyone else out there; I’m in competition with myself. It’s me and my swing out there. Plus, it’s nice to walk amongst the trees and friends. It’s a beautiful game and a beautiful experience. My son comes out with me on occasion, so it’s a family affair with me.


Brett Hull
Dallas Stars Great

Word has it you’ve been playing a lot of golf out at Preston Trail lately.
I’ve been playing a lot for the past 10 years.

I also hear there’s a statue of your likeness in St. Louis. You like how it turned out?
It doesn’t matter how it looks. It’s quite an honor to have a statue and a street right there with your name on it.

Are there other statues around the Scottrade Center?
Yes, other Blues greats Al MacInnis and Bernie Federko.

You saw the electricity and how much the city embraced the Mavericks’ NBA Championship run. Did that evoke memories of when you all won the Stanley Cup in 1999?
Absolutely. It was identical to when we won it. The city was behind both teams, and it was the first championship for both teams. It was very exciting.

For Stars fans, what will new head coach Glen Gulutzan bring to the table that should excite them?
He’s one of those new breed of coaches that is a student of the game. You saw that style in Tampa Bay, which was what their new coach brought in and led them to a successful season. I think you’ll see a lot of the same things in Dallas next season. Some innovative new things that they’ve never seen.

With the new players brought in and the experience of being in the Stanley Cup playoff hunt until the final week of the season, things seems to be quite exciting heading into next season.
It should always be exciting because the guys that we have go out and play hard day in and day out. The Western Conference is obviously the toughest conference in hockey. When you set the record for most points ever without making the playoffs, that shows you how tough the conference is. You just can’t give away points. You need to get a point at least every night. If you lose two, three, four, five games in a row, everyone passes you and you have to climb back up.

Are you hoping that hockey is not the only game in town come the fall?
No, I’m hoping it is the only game in town this fall. I want butts in the seats. We need all the fans we can get.



Brian Baumgartner
Actor

So, who’s going to be the new boss at “The Office”?
That I can’t tell you. You’ll have to wait until September. But what I can tell you is that we signed James Spader, who’s going to come in and take over for Kathy Bates for the year. I think he’s going to be in that role more than she was. We’re really excited about that.

You and actor Ed Helms went to the same high school in Atlanta. Were you all high school buds?
We were, and our families are still friends. They’re a great family, and it’s such a joy to see the success that he’s had in “The Hangover” movies and on our show.

You went to SMU during the early ’90s. Tell me about your time there and the last time you were at the Hilltop.
I’ve been back to Dallas twice this year. I went back to SMU and spoke this year, and I went to Homecoming game, which was a disappointing loss for the football team.

Yeah, but back when you were in school, the SMU football team was horrible.
Absolutely! It’s really impressive what they’ve done with June Jones. I feel really good about where the program is going. It was really fun to go to a game.

When was the other time you were back in Dallas?
I was there for the Super Bowl.

Sorry the weather wasn’t so good for you.
Hah! It was not golfing weather. I’ve become friends with [Green Bay Packers quarterback] Aaron Rodgers, and I went because he was playing in it. Despite the weather, I had a blast.

Why did “Arrested Development” get axed so quickly?
There’s a lot more smarter people than me who can answer that question, but ultimately they had trouble finding an audience. It was very different programming, especially for Fox, and it was certainly new at the time. It’s a shame because it was a great show. I hope they do come through with the movie. It would be really fun to see.

When did you get started in golf and what does the sport do for you?
I took up the game pretty late, right after I graduated from college. I was doing theater and stuck in a dark room all day, so I needed to find something that would get me outside. So I took up the game and I absolutely love it.



Charles Barkley
NBA Hall of Famer

With Shaquille O’Neal being retired, where do you feel your new “NBA on TNT” partner falls on the list of the greatest centers?
Well, he’s the fourth greatest center in NBA history. No matter how well he played, he can’t get to those top three. I mean, Wilt, Kareem and Bill Russell, I don’t think anybody can break into that group. But Shaquille to me is the fourth greatest center of all time. I played in the NBA for 16 years and Shaq is the only guy who I ever met that I said, ‘man, that’s a big dude.’ The most amazing thing about Shaquille O’Neal, for him to be as big as he was and to really not get hurt until he was past his prime, I think that’s one of the more remarkable things that I’ve ever seen.

You have alluded to the fact that you’ve considered becoming an owner. What would be the right circumstances for you to get involved in a team, and how do you see yourself being as an owner?
Well, I might do it just as an investment. I don’t have enough money to do like Michael Jordan and just take complete control of an organization. I don’t have that type of money. But it would be fun � whether it was in Philadelphia or Phoenix � to put a few million dollars in and be not a speaking owner, but just a fun, good investment. But I don’t have enough money to buy my own team. I don’t have that type of cash.

Is it as fun as it seems to be when you guys do the “NBA on TNT” show?
We are just talking about basketball. We’re not saving the world. I think that’s our No. 1 job � to make sure the fans have a good time. I truly believe that. Like I tell people, we’re not saving the world. You do know this is just basketball. And I really think about that the day of the show. The players are clearly having a good time. They’re making 10, 15, 20 million dollars a year. But the fan, I want the fan to enjoy the game. I honestly just try to make it as fun as possible. The answer to your question is yes. It is as much fun as you think it is. I want to make sure people are watching. First of all, I can’t believe these suckers are paying me to watch basketball. I’d watch the games anyway. I love basketball. Basketball has given me everything in my life.

Are you concerned at all about what messages are sent to fans because of the lockout?
It’s devastating for basketball to be on strike because we are in the middle of a recession. The truth of the matter is you’ve got billionaires and millionaires fighting with each other, and I understand there are a lot of complex issues. My only hope is David Stern, who I think is the best commissioner in sports. I trust him. But it’s devastating for basketball to have a lockout. Hey, everybody knows we’re in a recession in this economic climate. So many people are struggling. But, hey man, it’s a tough call.

Fred McGriff
Former MLB First Baseman



How did you come up with the nickname “Crime Dog”?
ESPN’s Chris Berman came up with that name because it played off McGruff the Crime Dog. And of course, whatever name he creates for you, it sticks.

It makes me feel old when I hear you have a son playing college football.
Yes, he’s a wide receiver at Kansas. He caught seven passes last season.

What does golf do for you?
Well, it’s a challenge, and I like challenges. Plus, you’re always competing. In baseball, you were competing against the pitcher. Out here, you’re competing against the golf course and the elements.

How tough is it to break away from that baseball swing and switch to a golf swing?
It’s very tough. Every once in a while, you’ll see me slice one way left. In baseball, that would have been an opposite-field double.

Do you use a baseball grip?
No, I use an overlapping grip. Gives me more control.

Give me the top courses that you’ve played.
I’ve played Augusta National. That was an awesome experience. It’s extremely tough to get on, but I had some Braves connections. The greens were lightning quick and unbelievable. And television doesn’t do it justice with the elevation changes. I also have to put Pebble Beach up there, and Caves Valley up by Philly.

Like a lot of athletes, did the golf bug bite you during your playing days as something to do on your days off?
Yeah, I played a lot during the off-season and that was it. Only the pitchers could play during the season on their days off.

You’re pretty in-tune with your golf swing, even saying that you watch a lot of golf videos to learn some tips.
I have to try something. If I’m going out to pro-am or celebrity tournaments, I want to play halfway decent.

Do you watch Tom Emanski’s golf videos?
Haha! Oh no, not those.




Goose Gossage
Hall of Fame Pitcher

What do you remember most about that lone season you spent with the Texas Rangers?
The 1991 season? I enjoyed it. Great people, although [then manager Bobby] Valentine and I didn’t get along. Playing with Nolan Ryan was fun. That was the year he no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays.

I heard an interesting stat about you and Nolan that was quite fascinating.
Yeah, I got my 308th career save to preserve Nolan’s 308th win. I wasn’t saving games at the time because the Rangers had Jeff Russell. But he was on the shelf that night. It wasn’t like we planned it that way; it just came up. No one really even realized it � not Nolan, myself or Valentine � but the press was all over it. Then they made a baseball card commemorating that accomplishment.

You pretty much pioneered the closer’s role. How much has that role changed since you were on the hill?
It’s like night and day. Starting pitchers these days go five innings and that’s a quality start. You couldn’t even play in my day if that’s all you pitched. We were relief pitchers; we weren’t closers. We came in the seventh inning in a jam, pitched out of that, then pitch the eighth and ninth innings.

Did you play golf all through your playing days or was this a sport you picked up during retirement?
No, I just picked up the sport. Golf is really the only thing I have left to challenge me. Us athletes, we all love a good challenge. That’s what golf brings to the table, in my opinion




Jack Wagner
Actor

Has reality television affected the daytime soap opera?
Well, reality TV is at night, so it doesn’t really affect soap operas. What affects soap operas is the Internet, cable, and 700 channels compared to three channels we had growing up. So we lost a generation, perhaps even two generations. Mothers, grandmothers, babysitters, sisters, they all watched “Days of Our Lives” or “General Hospital.” Now they’re watching reality TV. Your kids don’t sit with you and watch those shows anymore like we did.

With shows like VH1’s “I Love the ’80s”, and music stations “80s on 8” on Sirius/XM radio or the mix stations, are you still receiving royalty checks for your hit song “All I Need”?
No, because I didn’t write it. Publishing is in the writing.

Do you make out to Texas much to play golf or any business out there?
No, not really. I’ve done a couple of movies in Dallas, but that was awhile back. I just remembered it was hot over there.

Obviously you can golf your ball. So I’m sure your list of top courses played is quite impressive.
Without a doubt Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Cypress Point are on there. My home club, Bel-Air Country Club is on there, as is Edgewood Tahoe.

Jason Kidd
Dallas Mavericks Point Guard



Talk about that party scene after Game 6 when you all were livin’ it up in Miami.
After we won Game 6, it was a dream come true. It was so surreal to us that we actually won the championship. We really didn’t know how to celebrate in the locker room because guys were exhausted and nobody on our team had won a championship so we didn’t know what to do. Some guys popped champagne and had a couple of beers, but guys really just wanted to soak in the moment and relax. After we got done taking some pictures, Cuban said he wanted to go somewhere to celebrate. So we took the bus to the club. I think we went to LIV Nightclub. The funniest thing was you had the owner walking into the club with the trophy, and that doesn’t happen too much. It was a fun night � walking into the club with the trophy and people holding it and taking pictures with it. And of course, the owner picking up the check at the end of the night.

Dirk Nowitzki said the Mavs parade was one of the greatest days of his life. Do you agree with that?
Oh yeah. With the parade and over 250,000 fans coming out to downtown in the heat to celebrate with us was incredible. It was perfect for us.

Obviously, you’re going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Does that make it sweeter that you got this championship at this stage in your career?
It’s like a dream come true. It’s still hard to explain how this feels because I’ve never had a championship in the NBA. Closest thing I can compare it to is high school. I’m very lucky to be at the right place at the right time with a great group of people. Once we get our rings on opening night, then it’ll hit that we really did win the championship.

How much is left in your tank?
As long as my body and mind feel like they did at the end of this year’s Finals, hopefully I can push it past 40 years old. But right now I feel great. If I needed to come off the bench, I wouldn’t mind that.

Have you been honing your game at Dallas National since you’ve got a lot of free time on your hands?
No way. They’ll tell you that I haven’t been there in a long time. I think I’ve had more guests go there than I have. With the long season we had, I just haven’t had time to play.

Just think, that opening night you’re going to be getting your ring, looking at the championship banner up in the rafters for the first time, and then starting your defense of the NBA title.
That’s what we’re gearing up for. A lot of us have talked about not being satisfied with one championship. We can’t relax because we now know there’s a bulls-eye on our backs. We’re the champs.


Jimmer Fredette
Sacramento Kings Guard



What was your schedule like after the NBA Draft?
Right after the Draft I went out to Sacramento, did a nice little press conference, met the fans and all these different things. It was great. I was there for a little over a day. Then I went home and was able to relax a little bit, work out and see family and friends. Then I got invited to the ESPYs. So I had to go out to that. But it’s been pretty good. It’s busy. Hectic. It’s a whirlwind, but it’s a lot of fun. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.

You’ve said you have not played a lot of golf. Can you estimate how many times you’ve played in your life?
Yeah, I haven’t played the game for very long. I played a couple of times when I was in high school and I played every once in a while in college. I’m not a regular golfer, but I’ll hit some decent shots. I just can’t drive it straight. That’s my only problem. I’ve got to get that down. Once I get that down, I think I’ll be all right. I just enjoy that time on the golf course with my friends. But I like the game because it’s a skill game, and one where you have to practice a lot in order to be decent.

As far as the Kings, what are your goals for your rookie season?
I want to come in and make an impact with this team right away. Hopefully I can help them win more games and get on that right track to get close to the playoffs or make the playoffs. However many minutes I play, whether I start or not, doesn’t really matter. I just want to come in, make an impact, gain the trust of everybody and play well.

What was it like knowing you were the focus of every defensive scheme you played against, yet you still averaged about 28 points per game?
It was a challenge, and I definitely like challenges. The position I was in, a lot of defensive schemes tried to get the ball out of my hands and make the other players on my team make shots. We had a very good team and we made them pay when they did that. I think that’s why I was able to score when I had the ball as much as I did last year. I had teammates around me that really played well and made plays on their own. But it was a fun thing for me to know that people wanted to come in and beat me. So I knew I had to bring my best game every single night because if I didn’t, we would get beat. I liked that type of challenge.

I wanted to get your thoughts on the NBA lockout right now. A lot of athletes are saying they might head overseas and play. Have you had that in your mind?
Not really. I’ll be playing in the NBA whenever that is. I’m just going to continue to work as hard as I can and work on the things to improve.




Joe Carter
Former MLB Outfielder

When you hit that walk-off home run off Mitch Williams in the 1993 World Series, what was going through your head when it cleared the fence?
Be sure to touch all the bases. Seriously, you don’t think something like that is possible. It’s almost an out-of-body experience. I’m rounding the bases thinking, ‘did I just do what I think I just did?’ To this day, people tell me exactly where they were and what they were doing when that happened. I look at the film, and I always think something different is going to happen.

In what way?
I’m wondering how did I hit that pitch because it was so low and inside. I just took my pitching wedge and kept it below the wind.

What were your favorite ballparks to play in?
My home stadium in Toronto, the Skydome, was great. As far as places on the road, my favorite was Fenway Park.

What was the absolute worse ballpark?
Tiger Stadium. There was a history there, but it was so old. Plus, when you walked into the stadium you never looked at the flags atop to see how the wind was blowing, you looked at how the grass was blowing. The infield grass was about 10 inches high and the outfield grass was even higher. You couldn’t hit any balls through the infield. Then the visitor’s locker room was like 12’ x 12’, the dugout had wooden benches, you were down below the field level, the poles in front of you, and it seated about 10 people. It was time for them to build a new ballpark.

I’m sure during your playing career you had to play in Texas around July and August. Did you mind the heat?
Oh, it was hot. But I didn’t mind it because I grew up in Oklahoma City. Playing in Texas meant that all my family was coming to watch me play, and my friends who lived in Dallas could watch me play. So it was great for me. I didn’t mind it. Now, when you got onto the field at 7 p.m. and saw the temperature was 105 degrees, that was miserably hot. But I loved playing in Texas.

What does golf do for you?
It satisfies me and my competitive edge. I was very competitive in baseball, football, basketball, all sports growing up. Now I don’t have that except when I play golf. Golf satisfies that competitive edge. And I’ve never had a bad day on the golf course. That’s how I look at it. To me, it’s a lot of fun. It’s not my livelihood, but I can go out there and have some fun every single day I tee it up. You can learn a lot about people on the golf course.



John Smoltz
Former MLB Pitcher

Yourself, along with Jerry Rice and others, have taken shots at playing in golf tournaments at the highest level. Even though you all didn’t fare well, what did you learn from that experience?
I can only speak of what I learned. And I learned a lot. In sports, if you’re not afraid to fail, you’ll experience some greatness afterwards. And certainly I’m yet to be determined whether that failure will lead to better tournament-type playing because that’s really what I need experience in. And I haven’t played in a lot of tournaments. So after I was done being ashamed of the scores that I put up, I realized the work that was yet to be done. And had it gone a little bit smoother, I don’t know that I would have learned as much, if that makes sense. In golf, as in anything in sports, if you’re not confident before you do something, it’s going to show eventually. And you gotta be committed. I just learned, I learned faster than most through failure because I’ve had my share of it.

What made that Braves pitching staff of the ’90s so great?
We never took a game for granted. We didn’t eye-pop you with our radar readings, nor did we have flashiness on the mound. But I don’t know if a solid rotation from top to bottom like what we had will ever happen again. The Phillies have something like ours, but our fourth and fifth guys were better. Individually, you’ll have better stats than ours. What we had were three or four of the top seven pitchers in innings pitched in all of baseball during our run. That’s what separated us from the others, especially now because you’re dealing with a totally different philosophy for today’s pitchers.

What can the Rangers do to repeat as American League Champs?
Well, they’re in the right division to make the playoffs. But it seems that just when you think they’re about to run away with the division, then they lose four or five in a row. Texas is a great organization, and they’ve got a great philosophy under [president] Nolan Ryan. They’re doing it in a way where it’s not just going to be an explosive show. They’re going to shut people down. They’ll have a little tougher task to repeat as A.L. champs because some of the components from last year are not there. The departure of Cliff Lee was huge, but offensively this team can match up with anyone.

You’re a big-time golfer, so I’m sure your top-5 list of courses you’ve played is amazing.
I get asked that a lot and my list always changes. Augusta National and Oakmont are in there. Butler National is also on that list. Pine Valley and Merion I condense into one because they’re in the same area. Medinah’s on there, too. I’m partial to traditional courses and ones in the Midwest and the eastern part of the country. I’ve never played overseas, though.




Lauren Thompson
Golf Channel beauty talks about her “Golf Now” gig, dealing with wrestlers, and how pros couldn’t perform in her presence

Her smile is so infectious, and she is easy on the eyes.
But get to talking to Lauren Thompson, the gorgeous host of “Golf Now” on The Golf Channel, and you will see that she’s also got a wonderful personality.
Seriously guys, you would actually enjoy a conversation with this beauty.
Thompson, who first caught golfers’ attention when she hosted the “Top 10” show on TGC in skimpy dresses, is fast becoming a popular figure on the golf scene. Her “Golf Now” show is a big hit (especially the Miami episode where she’s playing sand volleyball in a bikini), and she was highly sought-after at the American Century Celebrity Championship at Lake Tahoe, where she did interviews with all the celebs.
It’s definitely a far cry from her days as a backstage interviewer for TNA Wrestling.
Thompson was oh so kind to us at Tahoe, as she spent time answering our questions regarding her career, traveling all around the world, and if she’s coming to Dallas anytime soon.

You might have the greatest job ever. You get to travel the world, get wined and dined, play some golf, and tell everyone about your experiences.
I do. I am so blessed to have this job. I love it! The Gods have shined down on me and it’s been wonderful!



I heard you initially went to school for nursing.
I did, for the first three years of college. I wanted to be a nurse/midwife. Eventually, I did change my major to marketing and somehow got to work at The Golf Channel.

Now your career path was a tad different than most at The Golf Channel. There was the modeling, the wrestling gig, and then golf.
Right. That’s funny because the wrestling job was another one that fell upon me. Before I was doing car commercials, infomercials, some fitness modeling on the side. The wrestling job, I turned down three times. I guess the third time is a charm because I ended up going with them to develop my television experience. I knew that TNA had a national show; and yes, it was a bit of a change of pace for me. But it was fun. It was a different fan base, but I learned a lot and it brought me to where I’m at today.

I’m sure the personalities are extremely different between the pro wrestlers and the pro golfers you interview.
You know, on TV they were. But when you break them down, they’re athletes and human beings. When I first started the wrestling job, I knew nothing about the sport. Honestly, I can say now that I respect them more as television showmen and athletes as a whole because they work really hard at their practice, they understand their image and they put a lot into it.

The following that you now get from the guys who ogle at you, I’m sure it’s a different demographic and clientele than wrestling fans.
Most definitely. I love golf fans. They’re extremely respectful, they love the game and they understand that I’m not a professional golfer. But I am learning and I love the golfing community. They’re very supportive and they understand that I’m learning as I go.

Sometimes we get flak for showcasing cart girls and beautiful women on our covers. It seems The Golf Channel has also recognized that showcasing a beautiful woman is not such a bad thing. After all, there’s you, Win McMurry and Holly Sonders.
I did get a little flak from some people, but I learned very quickly to not google myself or read all these blogs from guys who are writing from their basement about how I got this job. Thing is, who would turn this job down? I’m sure they would have jumped on it if The Golf Channel had called them. You take the good with the bad. Not everybody is going to love you. For every one person that bashes you online, there are countless others who think that you’re doing a good job.

You’ve embraced Twitter, as have many of your Golf Channel co-horts. What do you like most about it?
The fan interaction. I’m always tickled pink by the fact that people want to follow me in the first place. That’s such a thrill to me. It’s fun, I get some honest feedback on the show, I get to tell people how my game is coming along, and it’s the wave of the future. I love Twitter!

On your show, you visit so many fabulous resorts and destinations. Is there one in particular that wowed you because it was on your bucket list?
Ireland. I was supposed to go there years ago when I did my Spanish credits in Spain for a study abroad program. I had an opportunity to go to Ireland one weekend on a cheap flight, but I turned it down to get a little extra credit that weekend. Instead of going to Ireland, I was hanging out in Spain and making sure I got that A in the class. At the time I really regretted it. But as it turns out, it all came full circle and I was able to see all those historic and great Irish courses and visit all these fabulous places out there.

Whenever us guys encounter an attractive gal on the golf course, like a cart girl, our tendency is to hit a horrible shot in her presence. You all just bring out the worst in us. On the show, has there been a time when you all had to do many takes because the pro just couldn’t “perform” in your presence?
[laughing] We do have to do several takes, but we’re honest on “Golf Now.” We’re not sinking every putt; we’re showing how the course plays. Honest. OK, here and there there is some ball-topping. But the ones we choose to play with are pretty good. They represent their course and area very well.

When you first took the position at The Golf Channel, did you know anything about golf?
I knew most of the terminology and the top players. I was a very casual golfer, playing in a couple of scrambles here and there. I actually sold my clubs in a garage sale, which was terrible. Then, of course, a year later The Golf Channel called. I told them I was little intimidated by Kelly Tilghman and Stephanie Sparks’ personalities and I wanted to measure up to them. Quite honestly, both Kelly and Stephanie have been so supportive, and The Golf Channel wants to see me succeed. It’s been a nice ride.

“Golf Now” recently did an episode in San Antonio. So I’m sure you went to the Riverwalk and all the other Alamo City sites.
I did. I loved San Antonio, and it was neat to see the Alamo. It was surprising in how it was just right there in the center of downtown and how small it was. But the story behind it is just incredible. And the food there is amazing! I loved the food! I was pretty happy in San Antonio.

You know, Dallas is dying for you to come visit there.
I would love to visit Dallas. Perhaps we can set something up and you can be my tour guide.

Oh yes.




Mason Crosby
Green Bay Packers Kicker

I’m a Dallas guy, so what did you think of our wacky weather during Super Bowl week?
Hah, I know that stuff happens. In Green Bay we get snow and they clean it up. But during Super Bowl week it was ice. That place shut down.

You know, they brought in snowplows just because it was Super Bowl week. Normally, they’re not there.
Yeah, I know. It was weather I’ve seen before, and obviously Dallas didn’t want that kind of weather the week of the Super Bowl. But it actually kept us inside and tight, and in a sense it helped us so that we could remain focused on nothing but football.

Now you’re from a town north of Austin, Georgetown. When was the last time you were there?
I was there for two months this past off-season. I spent some time there seeing some family, working out, having a good time, getting out of the cold and playing golf. It was a good time.

Where did you play golf?
I actually worked at a course in Round Rock when I was in high school, Teravista Golf Club. I go out there and they’re really good to me. I love the course and the people there. I actually laid sod on the fairways out there. So when I go out there and take a divot, I’m making sure I fix it. I feel like there’s a part of me on that golf course. It’s a beautiful place. I also hopped around some other courses in the Austin area.

What’s the toughest stadium to kick a field goal?
Kansas City is a tough place. Their field can get a little tough late in the year. Plus, their fans are loud.

Do you enjoy kicking in spacious stadiums such as Cowboys Stadium?
Yeah, those places are huge and you don’t feel the fans are right on top of you. A place like Lambeau Field gets loud, and for an opposing kicker it’s not the easiest place to kick. But domes can get pretty loud and there’s no place for that noise to go.




Mike Modano
Former Dallas Stars Great

A lot of fans wish you could come back to Dallas for one more season.
I’ll be there to live. Other than that, I can’t see any other way for me to be back in Dallas. It was tough to leave the Stars but I had to do it. It was my only option. Detroit was a good time nonetheless.

Did Detroit have some similarities to Dallas in terms of nightlife, restaurants, etc.?
They were two totally different elements. They were two different worlds. Detroit is economically hurting and they’re trying to rebuild that town. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done there.

At first, did it feel different putting on that red sweater?
Yeah, it took awhile to get used to. There was a little pressure there with the Red Wings’ history and tradition, but it was a lot of fun playing at their home and being a part of that organization.

Did you keep up with the Mavericks’ playoff run?
I did. I was home for most of it. I was there for the last couple of rounds.

You saw the electricity and how much the city embraced the Mavericks’ NBA Championship run. Did that evoke memories of when you all won the Stanley Cup in 1999?
It did. The excitement and electricity were exactly the same. It was exciting to see them win it all.

Was the golf in Detroit as good as what you’ll find in Dallas?
There were some good courses there. There’s Oakland Hills and a bunch of other nice courses. Most of the real nice ones were up north toward Harbor Springs and Traverse City. I lived real close to Oakland, so I played Oakland Hills quite often.

I’m sure they’ve got nothing on Preston Trail. What did you think of the redesign?
I thought it turned out good. It needed to be done. They invested a lot of money and time into it, and it turned out really good.




Robbie Gould
Chicago Bears Kicker

What’s the toughest stadium to kick a field goal?
I have to say it’s our home stadium, Soldier Field. The wind is blowing there all the time, bad weather, and our field isn’t the greatest. It presents a little bit of a challenge, but I’m definitely up for it.

Do you have problems kicking in spacious stadiums such as Cowboys Stadium?
No way. I love it. They’re domes. It’s a break for us.

When you see fans in Chicago or wherever wearing Bears jerseys with the No. 9, do you have do a double-take to see if it’s your name on the back or Bears legendary quarterback Jim McMahon?
It’s usually Jim McMahon’s jersey. I always have some tape with me so I can tape over his name and write “GOULD” on it.

Are there similarities to golf and field goal kicking?
There are some similarities. I learned a lot about the golf swing by taking lessons and going out and playing all the time. Then I relay that back to my field goal kicking. It’s the same plane, the same axis, the same swing, do everything 70-80 percent and you’ll probably have a lot more success.

Did you grow up playing golf, or were you like a lot of football players and started during or after college?
I played some, but didn’t take it serious until three years ago. And that was because I was getting tired of losing to my punter and snapper. It’s great for me because it gives me an opportunity to hang out and get away from the daily stresses of the job.

Which was more gut-wrenching � singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley Field, hitting a game-winning field goal, or that first tee shot at a pro-am in front of a throng of fans?
The first tee shot, for sure.




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