I had dinner with Jay Haas!

[M2daRizzle]

well, sort of. I went for some sushi tonight with my mom and little brother and guess who walked in the door 20 mins. later. Thats right, Jay Haas, you know, the guy thats won twice on the champions tour this year, including the Senior PGA Championship. It was awesome, and I wish he wasnt with his family in a restaurant because I would have liked to engage in a conversation with him, but I didnt tonight because I didnt want to interrupt his family time. On a side note he also didnt seem to be favoring his injured hamstring that much so he should be back to playing soon.

Have any of you guys met a pro somewhere you wouldn't expect (not at a tournament they were playing or a scheduled appearance etc.)?

[srjorion]

Dude, good on you on respecting his privacy during dinner. Class act on your part.

[CG031]

What did you say to him? Did you even talk to him?

[M2daRizzle]

What did you say to him? Did you even talk to him?

I didnt say anything to him, he seemed really engaged with his family and I didnt want to be rude and interrupt him. Im sure that would be annoying to have random people coming up and talking his head off. Maybe if it was in a less formal setting I would be more willing to speak to him. Just seeing him in person was enough for me.

[C-Rope1]

Was this in Greenville? I know he lives here, and there are only a few sushi places around.

[Franco!]

I saw my coach driving down the street.
Does that count?!

[ks8829]

I saw Aaron Oberholser putting and hitting balls at Milipitas Golf Course near San Jose, California.

I overheard someone talk about shooting 10 under and look over to see who this person was and it was Aaron, seem like a very nice young man talking with one of the regulars.

[Craig Mac]

Kingsmill's proximity to Busch Gardens pretty much meant you would see pros there during the tourney. All you had to do when walking in was look over in the VIP parking and see if there were any courtesy cars in the lot. Met David Orgin about twelve years ago behind me in line at the Fest Haus getting some grub, really nice guy, cracked a couple of jokes. Met Jill McGill, her husband and caddy in line for a roller coaster a few years ago, they were right in front of me and I just happened to recognize her(definite hottie), they were really nice and we talked to them for about 20 mins waiting in line for the front seats. She asked me what I thought of the womens event there verses the mens event that use to be there and I think she wasn't to thrilled with my reply. Waited on Curtis Strange when I was working at a CC, didn't bother him while he was eating with the club pro, but the pro did introduced me because he knew I was a golf nut, and CS seemed like a pretty nice guy.

[Harry Longshanks]

mmmmm . . . sushi.


In 1994, just after Christmas, I was in Rancho Santa Fe to meet my girlfriend's family. We rented a car so we could drive up the coast for a few days and the closest rental car agency was at La Costa (IIRC it was La Costa - it was a long time ago and I wasn't familiar with the area. But that's the name that is stuck in my head.)

As I'm standing at the rental counter, a car pulls up at Phil Mickelson gets out and walks right by me and chats with the valet before he heads into the hotel. Of course, I'm a total wuss and I don't do anything. (Unlike M2daR's situation, Lefty wasn't with family or anything.)

I'm afraid that's the extent of my "brush with golf greatness".

[DJYoshi]

dude..that's AWESOME. and +1 to you for definitely respecting him while he was with his family and enjoying a meal..which is supposed to be private...even if they're in public.
I've never met a pro golfer outside of tournaments.
But doing what I do, I've been able to meet and kick it with artists, nba, mlb, nfl & poker ppl. I saw Daniel Negraneu play at Bali Hai a few weeks ago when I was in Vegas. I could've sworn Chris Moneymaker was in the foursome in front of me at LV National too.

btw, I might head down to Greenville later in the year. Would love to get up and play a round, 2 or 3

[M2daRizzle]

Was this in Greenville? I know he lives here, and there are only a few sushi places around.

tup it was in greenville at sushi masa at the corner of pelham and 14. great place to get a bento box.

[JMReynolds]

During that P&G; Golf Tournament in NW Arkansas, Natalie Gulbis came into the Pharmacy I currently work at, and I showed her where the Aleve was located =]

[BigDaddy_Sean]

i've been able to chat with a few players when attending practice rounds of local tournaments. I wouldn't get overly friendly just a hi, think your great, etc.

I just think of them as real people like me.

I still think the coolest thing was meeting Jack Nicklaus at the TPC of Dearborn (Senior Players Championship) in the mid 90's.

He was at the range after a round, testing old vs new technology. He had one of his old persimmon drivers. Also had an old metal headed driver and a new titanium.

He hit his persimmon farther. He would just turn around and say "unbelievable".

But every shot he hit would be that 10 - 15 yard fade .. spot on the nose.

He was in a relaxed mood and I was one of only a few watching, came over close to the ropes while resting, seeing as I noticed what he was doing, jokinly said to Jack that he should keep the persimmon in the bag :) He smiled, and said I think I should too. Shook my hand, autographed my hat .. thanked me for coming out .. actually asked if I played and where at .. it was pretty cool!

[DJYoshi]

During that P&G; Golf Tournament in NW Arkansas, Natalie Gulbis came into the Pharmacy I currently work at, and I showed her where the Aleve was located =]

right then and there..i would've asked her on a date

[Harry Longshanks]

During that P&G; Golf Tournament in NW Arkansas, Natalie Gulbis came into the Pharmacy I currently work at, and I showed her where the Aleve was located =]

Hey! I use Aleve too! OMG! It's fate! We are destined to be together! Must.Meet.Natalie.

I've never thought Natalie was the prettiest girl on tour (not that I'd kick her out of bed for eating crackers!), but from what I've seen, she definitely seems like she's one of the nicest. Very genuine. I would love to get a playing lesson from her.

[BigDaddy_Sean]

Hey! I use Aleve too! OMG! It's fate! We are destined to be together! Must.Meet.Natalie.

i'd meet natalie .. :) i wanna meet that chick who won Big Break Kanapali :) She's hot, hits the ball looooong. :)

[Crafty]

I got to hit balls next to Woody Austin this past Sunday. He was appearing at an event for autism the next day, and he was doing the media day for the Cox Classic out at Champions Run (where I play). Me and my dad spotted him and slipped in beside him on the range. That man can simply strike a golf ball.

[CG031]

dude..that's AWESOME. and +1 to you for definitely respecting him while he was with his family and enjoying a meal..which is supposed to be private...even if they're in public.

yo man haven't you met most of the Rutgers football players? I also see you on the big screen DJ'ing at the games, lol.