Michigan Golf Journal April 2020

in a pro-am with Tiger Woods, and I played Augusta a couple years ago, so I’ve had the chance to do some cool things with golf. Also played Spyglass. So, all that stuff is really neat. I just don’t get to play enough.” Q Describe your Augusta National experience: A “Well I went 50-some years never playing it, to playing it twice within a year. I really enjoyed it. Both times I was able to stay there. Play 18, stay overnight, play 18 again. Behind the scenes is awesome. The course itself; I was amazed at how open it was, but I was also amazed at how tough the greens were. And the third thing that amazed me was how important the caddies are. I’d see one break and they’d say no, go the other way. They were right, I was wrong. It’s pretty hilly, like a northern Michigan course. But it was an amazing experience. One I will cherish my whole life.” Q Do you see similarities between the sports of golf and basketball? A “At least one. If you get in a zone in golf you can really do some things that’s like a shooter in basketball. Confidence plays such a key part. When you see players like Mickelson and Woods even struggle at times, depending if they’re hot or cold, it’s like seeing a great shooter struggle at times. I think the confidence factor is different in football, but golf and basketball have that kind of confidence factor.” Q Of all the players that have come through your program today or in the past, which ones seem to have the most passion for the game of golf? A “I’d say Steve Smith, Matt Steigenga, Gregory Kelser. He wasn’t one of my players but he’s with us so much, I consider him. They’re all pretty good golfers. Mike Continues on page 10 >> Michigan Golf Journal Coach Tom Izzo On Golf