14 How difficult was it to focus on golf when you were going through the


divorce and custody battles? It was


very difficult because it consumed so much of my time and energy. It was nice when I did get on the course and could turn my phone off and not talk to lawyers. For a few hours, that was my safe zone. But once I got off the course, it was very time consuming with messages and phone calls and worrying about my son. Because it took so much of my time, it was hard to stay focused on golf and this is a game that demands a lot of focus in order to play well.


15 On the flip side, that led to your current marriage to Tami. How has


that impacted your quality of life?


Tami has been an absolute blessing. She’s my soul mate and I’m so happy to have her in my life, and to also have full custody of Max. For Tami and I to be able to be part of his life every day and watch him grow up and be parents … golf is great but to have a happy family


unit is so much more important. For my 50th birthday, Tami asked me what I wanted to do and I said, “Let’s all go play Papago together.” To be able to do that with my family on the course where I grew up, you can’t have a better 50th birthday than that.


16 Did Max inherit your passion for golf? He’s gotten into it a lot


more in recent years. Baseball


was his main sport early on, but he had an interest in golf and really enjoys playing now. He can move it out there pretty well, too. There are times when he out-drives me. He can’t match my irons or my putting so he’s not quite there yet, but the day he beats me will be the happiest day of my life, trust me.


17 You also have dealt with some physical issues in recent years but


appear to be very fit right now. How


are you feeling? I feel really good. I dropped 30 pounds over the last couple years and have kept it off, which has


helped my game. I’ve made lifestyle changes as far as diet and exercise. Three years ago at the end of the season, I knew I was too heavy and really didn’t feel good, but I didn’t do it just for my golf game. I did it for my overall well- being, and I’m proud of the fact that, not only have I lost the excess weight, but I’ve kept it off and improved my life overall. I feel younger than 50 and better than I have in several years.


18 What does it mean to you to be such an important part of Arizona golf


lore? It’s an honor. When you


look at all the great golfers and the history of golf in Arizona, I’m very proud to be associated with that. I love playing in Arizona and I love the people here. Arizona has given me a lot and it means the world to me. Because of that, I try to help out with junior golf and other areas of the game. Anytime I can give back a little bit, it makes me even happier to be a part of it. n


ARIZONA GOLF


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ASU KARSTEN asukarsten.com 480.921.8070


EAGLE MOUNTAIN eaglemtn.com 480.816.1234


MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN mcdowellmountaingc.com 480.502.8200


ARIZONA NATIONAL aznational.com 520.749.4089


PALM VALLEY


palmvalleygolf.com 623.935.2500


VISTOSO


vistosogc.com 520.797.9900


SEDONA GOLF RESORT sedonagolfresort.com 928.284.9355


www.azgolf.org


azgolfcentral.com FALL 2016 | AZ GOLF Insider | 25


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