[Rudders]

justyn, on Mar 23 2009, 05:51 PM, said:

I am not starstruck so I wouldnt know how nice or mean any of the tour pros are.

La-dee-dah.

[seypat]

Rudders,

Are you a big Pampling fan? The week I caddied for him in 98 he was a very nice person. He was not having a good week but still a nice person. Me and two other guys were with the caddie master waiting for a bag. Up walks Pampling, Shane Bertch? and Paul Gow. I got Pampling, and we missed the cut by 1. Both Gow and Bertch had good weeks but look who had more success in the long run.

Pampling was/is such a good driver of the ball. Seems to be more of a grinder than a birdie machine. That's why he does well in the majors. I can tell people that I caddied for someone who was leading The Open (then missed the cut the next day). I think he has a 5th in the masters also.

Anyway, the tourney I caddied for him he would get too down on himself after a bad shot. He was just not having fun on the course. I thought if he could get himself straightened out mentally he would have a successful career. Well he married the psychologist and we know how that turned out.

After that tourney I would stay up and watch the Australazian tourneys on the Golf Channel to see how he was doing. Great coverage by Auzzie TV on that tour. Very enjoyable viewing. They referred to him back then as "The Rocket" because of his ability to launch the ball. Rocket Rod Pampling really rolls off of the toungue said with an Auzzie accent.

Funny how some players make it and others don't. One of the other players in our grouping that year was named Martin Lanardi I think. I thought that guy was headed for stardom also. He was from Argentia I think. But never have seen his name since. I have Googled it before and nothing. Just makes you wonder what separates the contenders from the pretenders.

[Rudders]

seypat, on Mar 24 2009, 08:34 AM, said:

Rudders,

Are you a big Pampling fan? The week I caddied for him in 98 he was a very nice person...

See PM reply.

[lagwagon23]

John Daly, David Toms are very nice.

From the Freeport-McMoran Classic in the early 90's I noticed Ben Crenshaw, Payne Stewart, and Jose Marie Olazabal to be very nice.

I saw Greg Norman diss a kid in a wheel chair at the Freeport-McMoran in New Orleans in the early 90's. I understand the kid asked for an autograph between holes, but being rude to him wasn't right and I was a huge Greg Norman fan until I saw that.

Oh, almost forgot. Michelle Wie is very nice even though she is not PGA.

[jmckito]

Back about 10 years ago, David Duval signed an autograph for me while he was walking from the practice range toward the first tee at Laurel Valley for the Family House Invitational and actually asked me how I was doing.

I caddied in the pro-am at the Quicksilver Classic outside Pittsburgh years ago when I was in high school, the pro in our group was Hale Irwin. He actually hit a hole-in-one during the round and couldnt have been more of a jerk in my opinion, wouldnt sign a golf ball for me after the round.

[jmckito]

bertino12, on Mar 25 2009, 08:43 AM, said:

John Daly, David Toms are very nice.

From the Freeport-McMoran Classic in the early 90's I noticed Ben Crenshaw, Payne Stewart, and Jose Marie Olazabal to be very nice.

I saw Greg Norman diss a kid in a wheel chair at the Freeport-McMoran in New Orleans in the early 90's. I understand the kid asked for an autograph between holes, but being rude to him wasn't right and I was a huge Greg Norman fan until I saw that.

Oh, almost forgot. Michelle Wie is very nice even though she is not PGA.

Ask some people who run the Wachovia Championship what they think of David Toms, you might be surprised what they think. When he won it a few years back he couldnt leave the place fast enough. He was a very ungracious winner.

[nlacross]

Elkington hands down... I was at a practice round at the Buick Open two years ago sitting behind a tee box minding my own business trying to stay in the shade since it was almost 95 degrees out. Here comes along Elk to the tee box. I acknowledged him and he did the same but I wasn't really looking for a conversation. Next thing I know, Elk is talking my ear off about anything and everything. He wanted to know about Michigan, etc. etc. Funny thing was when we were talking, I finished the water up in my bottle. Elks caddy comes over, snatches it out of my hand and re-fills it from one of the portable coolers on the tee. I commented on his sweet irons and he starts pulling them out of his bag and handing them over to me so I can see how they look at address. Both of them were fantastic to talk with. Ever since that day I have had more of an interest on how Elk is playing in tourney's.

[Body_Visions]

Jetski, on Mar 17 2009, 01:26 PM, said:

Body_Visions, on Mar 17 2009, 04:51 PM, said:

Who cares how Phil supposedly treats his peeers. He obviously treats those who pay his bills very well and that is all that should really matter.

Not saying I'm pro or anti Phil (like others have said I have absolutely no first hand knowledge) but I couldn't disagree more with this. Treating the people who pay your bills well is a good business decision. Treating people well who don't have an influence on your finances or benefit you in any way, is a sign of who you are as a person. Surely that matters?

Sure it does. What I was saying is it doesn't really matter to me what his peers on tour think, at least he takes the time to "thank" his fans that help pay his bills. I would hope he would treat a stranger he passes on the street that doesn't know him the same way.

[Body_Visions]

Ronzo, on Mar 17 2009, 01:56 PM, said:

Body_Visions, on Mar 17 2009, 11:51 AM, said:

Who cares how Phil supposedly treats his peeers. He obviously treats those who pay his bills very well and that is all that should really matter.

I couldn't disagree more with the above statement.

I feel that how someone treats those "below" them on the social ladder speaks directly to their personhood. I have little respect for those who treat wait staff, warehouse workers, municipal and commercial clerks, housekeeping staff, etc. poorly. As Huxley said in Brave New World: someone has to run the elevators. A nation of Alphas cannot function; each one of them would want to be in charge.

The proper term for someone who treats those who pay his bills very well and feels that this is all that should really matter is toady. Or perhaps sycophant.

http://www.merriam-w...ictionary/toady
http://www.merriam-w...onary/sycophant

By all accounts he is one of the biggest tippers on tour. And by those who pay his bills, I am speaking of the fans.

[Body_Visions]

krustyburger, on Mar 17 2009, 02:43 PM, said:

Ronzo, on Mar 17 2009, 12:56 PM, said:

Body_Visions, on Mar 17 2009, 11:51 AM, said:

Who cares how Phil supposedly treats his peeers. He obviously treats those who pay his bills very well and that is all that should really matter.

I couldn't disagree more with the above statement.

I feel that how someone treats those "below" them on the social ladder speaks directly to their personhood. I have little respect for those who treat wait staff, warehouse workers, municipal and commercial clerks, housekeeping staff, etc. poorly. As Huxley said in Brave New World: someone has to run the elevators. A nation of Alphas cannot function; each one of them would want to be in charge.

The proper term for someone who treats those who pay his bills very well and feels that this is all that should really matter is toady. Or perhaps sycophant.

http://www.merriam-w...ictionary/toady
http://www.merriam-w...onary/sycophant

I think you're misunderstanding what was meant. If I'm reading it correctly, I think the OP meant that Phil treats the fans very well, because they are the ones that ultimately pay the bills, even though they may be "below" him in social standing. And he always tips the staff well and treats them with respect. The only ones who dislike him are his peers. Seems to me that would be the opposite of toady or sycophant.

This is precisely what I meant.

[jonesy369]

Phil's a phony because he is nice to the fans, sponsors, and volunteers who make his job possible, but doesn't pal around so much with his competitors?

Doesn't that make him NOT a phony?

I have zero interest in what random tour guys think of Phil. He's not obliged to be buddies with the people he's trying to beat. Maybe he has a deeper competitive streak than people give him credit for, and it seems like he's just honest about it.

[mavsman12]

I met billy andrade when i was 14 at the colonial wanting his autograph along with other kids standing and waiting.... He made fun of a michigan hat that I had on that day and I decided to follow him the next day... he talked trash to me during his round about michigan it was great... anyways im 24 now and to this day we are good friends talk once or so a month...he has done numerous things for me that not many people would do... free golf clubs, courtside mavs seats, golf, basketball 1 on 1 and the guy didnt know me from adam truley a very nice guy and huge sports fan!

[ericld]

Great Guys:

Rod Pampling - gave my daughter his glove after hole 18 at the final International at Castle Pines. She didn't ask, he just offered.

Charles Howell III - AWESOME guy. Stayed late at a Golfsmith demo night to talk to my daughter and watch her swing. Then the next day at the International he missed the cut, AND while walking off 18 after a bad round my daughter said "Hi Charles" and he looked, smiled, and winked - keep in mind there were 2,000 people around that green.

Shane Bertsch - Belongs to my club - NICE guy.

David Duval - Played behind us once during a slow play day - very relaxed and nice.

Retief Goosen - I watched him sign hats for some kids MID ROUND - after a rain delay he was walking back to his hole and took the time. Awesome.

Tom Lehman - Seen him at some FCWT events while his son was playing. Approachable. Good guy. Talks to everyone who comes up to him.

Nick Watney - Always signs autographs for the kids and gives away his ball at most holes.

[rev. 2 iron]

My family & I belong to the golf club that Dudley Hart / his Dad & step-mom - Chuck & Dawn Hart / and Jeff Sluman own ... anyway --- it was a rainy sunday after church & my 8 yr son old Jackie & I were just getting going on the 1st & guess who drove up on 3 carts! --- the whole Hart family gang (Dudley has triplets rachel / abigal / ryan --- thus the "RAR" on his bag) --- we shot the baloney with them for a bit & Dudley says "alright jackie hit one out there" --- jackie hit & Dudley was absolutely the nicest guy ever!! ... (luckily I had already hit so as not to look like a world class weenie) --- anyway we talked for a bit & when we got around to #4 beside the range, there was dudley practicing by himself in the rain ... we drove up & watched him & talked for 20-30 minutes or more ... he not only talked to us but was exactly the kind of man I want my son to grow up to be like --- this is the guy that quit playing for almost a year to care for his ill wife & be a full-time dad to his kids! ... my son was completely awestruck at his unbelievable golf skills but also at how kind he was ... Dudley pulled out a brand new pro v1x & signed it for him --- my son is his biggest fan & loves the gators ... this is the measure of character ... what you do when no one is looking & there are no cameras ... Dudley Hart is a class act in my book

[Bee-Man]

Someone that doesn't get much press is Jeff Maggert....he joined us for 6 holes at the TPC in Houston (former home to the Shell Houston Open) and just made us feel like he appreciated us for letting him join in as well as being very witty....

My TV impression of him was a pretty stern sort of guy - maybe so in tourney situations - but really warm and down to earth when we met him....

[bgentc4]

FRED COUPLES is extremely nice, after the memorial tourney one year he had to qualify for the US Open at Double Eagle and you were allowed to walk down the fairway with him there was no ropes up or anything he talked to me the whole round and thanked me for walking with him and supporting him. He also at the end of the round signed several things for me and took several pictures with me and others.

Funny to that he still remembers me and others when he sees us at the Memorial and says hi.

Great guy!!!

[sixfive1ebot]

Ha hahaha... No Love for Tiger. It's so funny how everyone thinks he is so witty, and can hang with everyone on sh*t talking. I have not herd one thing he has ever said that was remotely funny. TIGER LIVES IN A BUBBLE!

He is lame IMO. When he does his post round interviews, he acts like a 7th grader in the the principles office. wawawawawawawaw!

I love watching him play, making great shots, and shaping shots all over the place, but Tiger and his caddie need to pull the JUMBO size pole out of there A**.

I think Tiger should have fired his caddie this winter when he talked Sh** about Phil. Steve has no class or respect for tournament sponsors, Ya Bibs are silly but ripping it off on 18 is sh*t. Sponsors pay good money for that spot for a reason...... If I was a paying sponsor I would be pissed!

OK Good guys....... Will Mac!

[theelvis510]

bgentc4, on Apr 6 2009, 12:59 PM, said:

FRED COUPLES is extremely nice, after the memorial tourney one year he had to qualify for the US Open at Double Eagle and you were allowed to walk down the fairway with him there was no ropes up or anything he talked to me the whole round and thanked me for walking with him and supporting him. He also at the end of the round signed several things for me and took several pictures with me and others.

Funny to that he still remembers me and others when he sees us at the Memorial and says hi.

Great guy!!!

Freddy is great but who is that in you avatar? And where can I get one?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

theelvis510, on Apr 6 2009, 01:53 PM, said:

bgentc4, on Apr 6 2009, 12:59 PM, said:

FRED COUPLES is extremely nice, after the memorial tourney one year he had to qualify for the US Open at Double Eagle and you were allowed to walk down the fairway with him there was no ropes up or anything he talked to me the whole round and thanked me for walking with him and supporting him. He also at the end of the round signed several things for me and took several pictures with me and others.

Funny to that he still remembers me and others when he sees us at the Memorial and says hi.

Great guy!!!

Freddy is great but who is that in you avatar? And where can I get one?

You mean you actually read his post??? OK, I did too EVENTUALLY. bgent, please post daily and in several differnt threads

And on the subject of Freddie, if you haven't already seen it there was a great article on him in this months Golf and all he has gone through personally.

[yamaha573]

When me and my friend went to the at&t national in 2007, Vijay was hitting balls, and gave my friend his empty powerade bottle, and later signed it for him. When vijay was signing autographs, jason gore walked straight by the crowd of kids, so vijay asks him if he's going to sign any autographs and my friend asked out loud "who's that guy?" i expected jason to be offended, but he wasn't. (vijay also jokingly threw a range ball at a car when a tour player made fun of a drill he was doing)

kelly murray(big break) was also watching vijay hit balls, he left and came back with chips and sodas for me and my friend.

My uncle was working security at the us open at Bethpage, and he saw Phil mickleson call security on a kid after he saw that there was no cameras around.

Olin Browne is a member at the Medalist in florida, a course where my team plays during our spring break practice trip, when my team was introduced, he worked with all 6 players on their shortgame and gave them all a dozen balls.

[Rudders]

yamaha573, on Apr 6 2009, 08:39 PM, said:

When me and my friend went to the at&t national in 2007, Vijay was hitting balls, and gave my friend his empty powerade bottle, and later signed it for him. When vijay was signing autographs, jason gore walked straight by the crowd of kids, so vijay asks him if he's going to sign any autographs and my friend asked out loud "who's that guy?" i expected jason to be offended, but he wasn't. (vijay also jokingly threw a range ball at a car when a tour player made fun of a drill he was doing)

kelly murray(big break) was also watching vijay hit balls, he left and came back with chips and sodas for me and my friend.

My uncle was working security at the us open at Bethpage, and he saw Phil mickleson call security on a kid after he saw that there was no cameras around.

Olin Browne is a member at the Medalist in florida, a course where my team plays during our spring break practice trip, when my team was introduced, he worked with all 6 players on their shortgame and gave them all a dozen balls.

Last year at The National, a big hulking guy came up to the practice area and several people asked him for his autograph. He politely signed everyting and anything and walked toward the practice tees. As the folks reviewed their autographs, NO ONE in the crowd who got his autograph knew who he was. That's rich; ask a guy for an autograph and not know who you're asking.

BTW, it was Jim Weathers, the trainer. What a set of arms on him. I've seen him walking PGA courses several times and he seems a very nice guy; always says hi.

[yamaha573]

oh are you talking about the guy who you always works on phil's wrist and back? if so, that dude is ripped

[csiachos]

I was at the Masters last year with a friend of mine. We were just standing by one of the food areas and David Toms walked by and said hey to a couple of patrons. I guess this sparked a memory in my friend's brain. He said that years ago, when David was playing in a Nike Tour event in Greenville, SC(my hometown), he overheard David and his wife were arguing in one of the courtesy carts about how much to tip the caddie. David was going to give him 10% of his winnings and his wife looked distressed, and said that they couldn't afford it. And Toms said something very empahtically to the effect of "my name and reputation is all I have out here!". Well, I feel sure he tipped 10%, and what goes around comes around, because David seems to be doing pretty well for himself these days.

[asloper6001]

Carolina Golfer 2, on Mar 23 2009, 04:35 PM, said:

Okay, I know the thread says PGA players. But I want to add an L to make it LPGA and say, you without a doubt will never meet a nicer more down to earth big name LPGA player than Natalie Gulbis. I know much has been written about her looks on other threads and boards and rightfully so. However, this happened at the LPGA Championship a few years ago.

It was late in the day about 5 PM and looked like it might start to rain any minute. Most everyone was gone. Natalie came out of the locker room and headed to the first tee. Well who isn't going to stop and watch her. She hit about a dozen or so drives off the first tee, stopped to sign several autographs and pose for pictures.

My buddy and I then asked if we coudl walk with her for a while during her practice round, she said "I'd love it." So we walked with her for a couple holes and on each hole we were the only ones out there, as she chipped from around the greens, she talked to us about the state of her game, the course, Las Vegas and oh yeah Michlle Wie (she of course said all great things about her and hoped she got things turned around. this was the year Michelle pulled the withdrawl at Annikas tourney and came to Bulle Rock early to practice)

Anway, I could go on but she made a couple huge fans that day, and posed for pictures with us each before we left and she continued on. What a class act, and of course just as beautiful in person!!

Damn you are a lucky man. I would have loved to do that with her.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

asloper6001, on Apr 7 2009, 10:34 AM, said:

Carolina Golfer 2, on Mar 23 2009, 04:35 PM, said:

Okay, I know the thread says PGA players. But I want to add an L to make it LPGA and say, you without a doubt will never meet a nicer more down to earth big name LPGA player than Natalie Gulbis. I know much has been written about her looks on other threads and boards and rightfully so. However, this happened at the LPGA Championship a few years ago.

It was late in the day about 5 PM and looked like it might start to rain any minute. Most everyone was gone. Natalie came out of the locker room and headed to the first tee. Well who isn't going to stop and watch her. She hit about a dozen or so drives off the first tee, stopped to sign several autographs and pose for pictures.

My buddy and I then asked if we coudl walk with her for a while during her practice round, she said "I'd love it." So we walked with her for a couple holes and on each hole we were the only ones out there, as she chipped from around the greens, she talked to us about the state of her game, the course, Las Vegas and oh yeah Michlle Wie (she of course said all great things about her and hoped she got things turned around. this was the year Michelle pulled the withdrawl at Annikas tourney and came to Bulle Rock early to practice)

Anway, I could go on but she made a couple huge fans that day, and posed for pictures with us each before we left and she continued on. What a class act, and of course just as beautiful in person!!

Damn you are a lucky man. I would have loved to do that with her.

Yeah, It was pretty cool. The only bad part is the laptop that I had the pictures on crashed about a year ago and I lost everything, I had deleted them off the digital camera after I downloaded them to clear out the memory. But in any case just a real cool lady.

[Rudders]

yamaha573, on Apr 7 2009, 08:59 AM, said:

oh are you talking about the guy who you always works on phil's wrist and back? if so, that dude is ripped

That's him.

[Sponge_Rob]

I'll second Jason Zuback. I normally hit balls where he does in the off season in Calgary. I know him a bit but not really. He is very approachable and loves to chat when he is taking a break. Don't get him started about equipment. He will go on for a long time! One time he came over to chat and I asked him about how to take backspin off my driver shots. He spent around an hour showing me how to do do that. (It was like tring to explain calculus to a monkey but he tried). Two other points...hitting balls next to him is very humbling. He attracts a crowd and even though I can carry it 290 easily...290 is still about 60 yards shorter than him. And thats when he's not ripping it. The other thing is how much your butt puckers when he asks "mind if I hit your driver?". Not that he would ever give it the full treatment but still...
In all one of the nicest guys in golf.

[freddiec]

I think a lot of the guys out on tour are very good guys. This week at the Heritage I ran into a lot of the players who seemed to be very cool to the spectators during the practice rounds.

Rod Pampling- I watched Rod hit laser tee shots on the range. It looked like he was hitting them off the deck, they were going only about 20 feet high, but was carrying them about 250. He took the time to get a picture taken w me, he seemed very friendly.

Zach Johnson. - ZJ is really a classy kid. A total gentleman imo.

Steve Flesh - great guy.

I found Lumpy to be really full of himself.

CH III is also super nice. He's actually almost too nice.

These are a few of the guys I ran into who seemed really cool to the fans.

[cdregs44]

Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly...Both very nice guys! Must be something to do with being from Wisconsin

[dcdunk3]

i would have to say boo weekly far and beyond is the nicest player along with paul casey. i have been at the past couple tiger tournaments in sherwood, CA and each year I have met and spoke with both boo and paul. this past 2008 tournament boo gave me one of his hats on the driving range. after mr. caseys round he literally walked right out like a normal person with the crowd and no one noticed him. I stuck my hand out and said nice round Mr. Casey and he thanked me and shook my hand. pretty nice guys along with ak and of course freddy

[gobber]

We had some fun with Pablo Larrazabal at the Practice day at the Open last year (British) He walked past my Daughter and her friends after signing autographs for all the boys so they started giving him some banter (good humoured) and they raced to the next hole. And when he walked past he recognised them he laughed and came over for a chat with them then signed all their autographs with lovehearts and nice comments. Then Scott Strange came past and commented to me to watch Pablo as he has an eye for the ladies!

for some reason my Daughter and her friends are always routing for Larrazabal!

[golfer123412345]

never met any of them, but jerry kelly looks like a great guy to me

[makkkos]

My 10 year old son and I met Stewart Cink at the Sunriver Resort in Oregon a couple of years ago while he was doing a Nike sponsored clinic. This guy was as nice and genuine as they come. He talked personally to my son for at least 10 minutes, sitting at our table while we ate lunch after the clinic. Very friendly, articulate and personable. Great representative of the Tour, Nike and the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. If more Tour players/professional athletes were like Mr. Cink, there'd be a heck of a lot more fans out there. My $.02.

[rthodges]

I met Justin Leonard about 10 years back in San Antonio. He responded well to my request for an autograph. He did strike me as a quiet person, but there was nothing that was negative in any way.

[Ed Bickford]

I've volunteered for the last 5 years at the Honda Classic and found there are a lot of pros that are very friendly. Todd Hamilton is very friendly as many have mentioned and probably one of the nicest you will meet. Luke Donald stayed until way after dark the year he won signing autographs for fans. Robert Garrigus is a really nice guy who always takes time to thank volunteers for volunteering. Billy Mayfair is super friendly. Some of the other very friendly players are Padraig Harrington (great sense of humor) , Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk,Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, David Toms, Fred Funk, Kevin Na. I went during practice day this year and was taking pictures. I was taking pictures of Woody Austin and he stopped in the middle of the green and posed for me without my even asking him too. Talked to him for a few minutes, really personable. You should find someone in that group to root for.

On the announcer side Roger Maltby is a super nice guy who will talk to you when he can.

[jmeezy333]

Tom Pernice Jr. - I had the opportunity to play with him a few years ago at Harbor Town, despite what some might say because of his article in Golfweek about Tiger Woods, he is a very generous and very personable and he really took an interest in some of the younger fans and his family

Brendan Johnson - winner wide world of golf championship 2008 - very down to earth, a pleasure to play a tournament round with

Geoff Ogilvy - a great family man, surprisingly shy but generous

[Sean2]

i've never met a golf professional, or any professional athlete for that matter. it's sad b/c they don't know what they are missing.

[sosinsurr]

I've gotten a chance to meet and talk to Ryan Moore, Bubba Watson, Aaron Baddeley and Ben Crane and all 4 were some of the nicest, genuine guys! None of them had a problem signing autographs and talking with fans. I got all 4 of theirs which was pretty cool.

Bubba has a sense of humor like you wouldn't believe, funny guy!

Ben Crane was cool because I had something in common with him, his swing coach (at the time, no idea if he's still with him but I can't see why he wouldn't be) has worked with me so I threw out that fact and he was intrigued.