Michigan Golf Journal February 2021

7 February 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com teams available for the fans to observe and watch and cheer for, and that extended into golf. That was the fun part of going to Michigan for me.” Q Did you hunt or fish here (some of his hobbies) ? A “I went fishing, not hunting, a couple times. But fishing is like golf; it doesn’t always work (he said with a chuckle). When I go out and fish, I love to catch fish, but if you don’t catch any, hey, that’s part of fishing too. It was more of a relaxation process for me. Spend some time outside, doing something other than golf – getting away from the thing that’s defined my life, doing something else. I just enjoy being outside doing those kinds of things. In Michigan you’ve got some great outdoor activities, so I did what I could when I could.” Q What is your favorite – making holes in one or shooting your age? A “Holes in one. I only have 10, but I’ve shot my age more than that (at least 42 times on Tour alone). I’ll go with the holes in one.” Q You played at Treetops shootout in northern Michigan some 20 years ago, and since then more resorts have added Par 3 courses… what did you think of Treetops and what do think the future is for such designs? A “I think Treetops was great. Got one of my holes in one there. “When you have a daily dose of what I have seen throughout my career, something different is kind of fun. I think the time commitment in golf, I think through the years has gotten a little bit longer. You watch on television how long it takes these young people to hit a golf shot… “I’m a proponent now that either if the land is not available, nor the time, you can build three 6-hole loops if you want a traditional 18, so people can play 6 holes, 12 holes, 18. I look at it as let’s accommodate the demand with better facilities, and although better should mean ‘quality facilities’ it can mean do (what’s best) with what’s available. There are courses out there that maybe should just be 12- hole courses. Take 18 out of play and make them 12 holes. Why not? “We have to get out of this traditional mode that it has Continues on page 9 >>