Ben Curtis Press Conference

[TigerCurtis333]

Per Ben's coach from Kent State, "Herb", I was able to sit in on Ben's Ryder Cup press conference today.

Notes -

Obviously, Ben's looking forward to the patriotism the Ryder cup brings and the team aspect.

He says he doesn't want to hit the first shot of the tournament, honestly, but would step up if need be.

And of course some other things, as always he was decked out in his Browns gear and sitting in his chair as comfortable as can be, fidgeting with his sunglasses on the table the whole time. Just a laid back, humble person.

Afterwards he went outside to hit some balls for the photographers and I was able to speak with him for a short bit, said he remembered me from my interview at the Bridgestone in 2007, and I asked about his clothing and how he feels about wearing Detroit and Pittsburgh stuff (He's an avid OSU/Browns fan).

"It all comes with the deal." I would have liked to talk more but had to run. He did mention that Payne Stewart started the tradition and while his wearing NFL gear isn't a tribute to Payne, he's happy to carry on the tradition.

I'm working with this personnel guy to be able to sit down with him some time.

All in all - great golfer, and an even better person. So personable, humble kind - just a nice human being.

[iQuest Golfer]

I was lucky to be in Sandwich when Ben won at Royal St. George. What an Open that was. Nobody, nobody was expecting that. Those 5 birdies on the first 11 holes were awesome. He was lucky he got in the scorer's tent when he did. All the players that followed just couldn't do it. What a day.

I'm sure you had a great time. Let's trust the guys next week play up to their potential and win one for the Zinger!

I know the Europeans will be on their game.

[Chilli Dipper]

Ben Curtis is the kind of player who sneaks up on you. I wouldn't want to be the man on the Euro squad up against him on Sunday afternoon in Valhalla, that's for sure.

[JerseyThursday]

I haven’t been to Mill Creek Golf Course in Ostrander, Ohio since he won the Open. Do they have a lot of his memorabilia in the clubhouse now?

[TigerCurtis333]

He has a memorabilia showcase at the new Kent State Training Facility, MAN is that thing nice, it's like a pro range. He sat a desk right infront of that.

[RichF]

Ben Curtis ?
I'm sorry, but this guy has got to be the least-interesting interviewee on the PGA Tour. I've yet to see him say anything that wasn't 100% cliche and he always delivers it in that complete monotone, 'I'd-rather-be-anywhere-but-here' voice.

He's the type of guy that be about as much fun to sit down and have a beer with as someone who doesn't actually drink.
I can see him running out of things to say after a couple of months of being bombarded by the press, especially after spending so many years being completed ignored by them. But now he's five years removed from his career-changing victory and he's still got nothing to say.
And he's still not even in the Top 30!?

Sorry, TigerCurtis333 - but 'Nice' Ben = 'Boring' Ben.

[klaymon]

I haven’t been to Mill Creek Golf Course in Ostrander, Ohio since he won the Open. Do they have a lot of his memorabilia in the clubhouse now?

I go there pretty often and I don't recall seeing anything there. They have a whiteboard that they keep updates on when he's in a tourney (Ben Bulletin, they call it) but that's about it. There may be a picture or something, but no display case or anything like that.

[TigerCurtis333]

Haha yeah Ben is pretty monotone in his interviews. When you get to talk with him one on one however, he's really approachable and is willing to talk for hours. I heard he was at the course for the photographers for nearly the entire afternoon talking with the KSU golf team and various reporters after I had left.

That's why the media tend to shy away from him, and why the golf channel labeled him "The Anti-media Darling" - and that's why he is like he is. I've had the privilege to see him outside of what ESPN will show you, and he'd love to talk to most people - but he'd like to do it with a steak or a 9 iron in his hand rather than a microphone and a camera.

[RichF]

Haha yeah Ben is pretty monotone in his interviews. When you get to talk with him one on one however, he's really approachable and is willing to talk for hours. I heard he was at the course for the photographers for nearly the entire afternoon talking with the KSU golf team and various reporters after I had left.

Don't get me wrong - he's a great player now he's revamped his swing and worked at his game a lot since 2003, but I guess I like golfers (or any sportsmen) to be a little more 'animated'!

However, having said what I did in my 1st post, it would be ironic if he was coupled with and beat Ian Poulter at the Ryder Cup next week!

[pjsnyc]

Ben Curtis

It's a good thing the PGA isn't following the LPGA's idea of suspending players because they couldn't connect with fans at press conferences

Kidding of course - I'm sure he's a nice guy. Seems like the 'strong silent type'.