Who Is Your All-time Favorite Golfer?

[David in FL]

Originally Posted by Armygolfer4life

Good afternoon all.  My favorite player that most of you never heard of (yes, I like Jack, Arnie, Tiger, Phil, etc.) is Calvin Peete.  As a little boy (in the late 70s) growing up in Hattiesburg, MS, I normally played the university golf course by walking a mile through the woods and starting on #4 (I didnt steal/cheat...it was too far to walk all the way around to the start...a couple of miles...we WERE members).  One particular week was when the Magnolia Classic was scheduled to start (PGA event that became the Viking Classic in Jackson, MS).  As a young lad, I sucked.  I was a horrible slicer (baseball swing w/ persimmon woods).  As I made my way around the course (in a lot of strokes), a golfer caught up to me.  He had a slightly awkward swing...but man...could he play.  He was one of the few black men that I ever saw on this course.  His name was Calvin Peete.  He took pity on me and took the time to show me a couple of improvements.  I will never forget his kindness towards a young boy he would never know or see again.

Just my thoughts,

Armygolfer4life

Admit it.  You didn't read the rest of the responses, did you?!

[Armygolfer4life]

David,

I totally apologize.  I did miss your post.  But I truly like it.

[Armygolfer4life]

Did you ever have the chance to meet him?  Calvin that is?

[David in FL]

Originally Posted by Armygolfer4life

Did you ever have the chance to meet him?  Calvin that is?

Didn't really meet him, but I did follow him at the GMO one year.  Actually remember it was the 4th of July weekend, 1976.....the year I graduated High School.  I grew up in Southeast Wisconsin and my dad and I drove up to Tuckaway CC to see the tournament.  Not nearly as big of a deal back then as it is now.  We followed him just about the whole day and I got his autograph on the tournament program.  I can't even remember who he was paired with or who won the tournament, but I remember following him like it was yesterday!

[Armygolfer4life]

Originally Posted by David in FL

Didn't really meet him, but I did follow him at the GMO one year.  Actually remember it was the 4th of July weekend, 1976.....the year I graduated High School.  I grew up in Southeast Wisconsin and my dad and I drove up to Tuckaway CC to see the tournament.  Not nearly as big of a deal back then as it is now.  We followed him just about the whole day and I got his autograph on the tournament program.  I can't even remember who he was paired with or who won the tournament, but I remember following him like it was yesterday!

Excellent story.  I lived close to the CC where the Magnolia Classic was held.  We could hear Charlie Pride singing at the party at night...but I could never play the course or even watch the tournament.  We could not afford it.  Come to think of it, isn't kinda strange that I met Calvin on the public course?  One would think that he would have been on the CC course.  Anyway, after I got back from Afghanistan, I called the course and asked to play it...I would even pay...but alas, I think I will go to my grave NEVER playing the course I grew up next to in my youth.

[TommyBoy]

All Time: Harvey Ward.

Party all night then break the course record in the morning!

Also: Hogan.

What he could do with those old clubs!

Current: GMAC, Kuch and Rory.

[trp245]

Probably Arnie with Jack running a close 2nd. These are te guys I grew up following and a big eason why I took up the game.

[jimmyc]

Palmer, Lee Travino and Fuzzy Zoeller

Why?

Because on top of being top pro's, they were the guys I'd love to sit and have a beer with. They exuded class and fun all in the same wrapper.

[acsvilla]

Seve - always a joy to watch for entertainment. Love to watch Ian Poulter in matchplay as well. Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Jack and Arnie, that's why I play the game - Gentlemen through and through.

[meridith]

Tiger Woods. Always exciting to watch.

[vo-man]

My favorite is still Arnold Palmer...the greatest ambassador to the game that I've ever seen.  Yes, there are some exciting new players and young players

out there but Palmer set the standard for others to aspire to.  And that standard covers more than just swinging a club.

[stoverny]

Before my time but in terms of classic golfers I have to go Hogan.  Something about the way he carried himself, his life story, his determination.  Just a fascinating person.

Current-day it's Tiger.  I like that he is human, faults and all.  Seems like one of those guys who would be a lot of fun to hang out with, if you can get past his wall of defenses.  Also the guy has been written off about 3 different times and keeps on coming back.  No one is more fascinating to watch on the course.

[RobCWhatUp]

As someone in their mid 20s I grew up watching Tiger's dominance.  I also love watching Tiger on top of his game, it's truly something special.  I root for him to be in the hunt every tournament he is in.  Recently, as I have gotten into the game more and started watching on a regular basis, I would have to say The Golf Boys (how can't you love the fun they are bring to the game) as well as Dufner (LOVE his cool demeanor and the calmness he brings to the course on EVERY shot).  This season I have really enjoyed watching Snedeker on the greens.

[rehmwa]

Originally Posted by David in FL

Calvin Peete.

One of the first really successful African Americans to play on the tour, long before Tiger came along.  Didn't take up the game until later in life....in his 20's if I remember correctly, and an extremely straight hitter of the ball, albeit with a very contrived swing as a result of a serious injury to his elbow as a child.  He's the one that convinced me that I could play this game to a reasonable level without hitting it a long ways, if I could just keep it in play.

Pretty well known as a quiet, family oriented, down-to-earth guy.  A refreshing lack of showmanship, even for back then.

and he had that hat (like an old man's driving hat) - I always enjoyed him too.

But = I learned and watched late 70's, early 80's - Tom Watson fan, I think that times out correctly....

(contemporary players?  Sneds, Graeme, and Tiger - in that order)

I can't believe I haven't seen any Chi-Chi fans - any club, any shot - just for the hell of it

[Wally Fairway]

Pro golfer I liked to watch the most - Freddie Couples, his swing was/is amazingly graceful

Pro golfer that I've met - Charlie Sifford, he had retired and used to play at a course just north of Houston when some buddies & I used to play there. He would tell stories to all, and chomp on his cigars.

Favorite all-time golfer to play golf with - my brothers, uncles and cousins - it's a true family outing.

[hacker101]

Originally Posted by Wally Fairway

Pro golfer I liked to watch the most - Freddie Couples, his swing was/is amazingly graceful

Pro golfer that I've met - Charlie Sifford, he had retired and used to play at a course just north of Houston when some buddies & I used to play there. He would tell stories to all, and chomp on his cigars.

Favorite all-time golfer to play golf with - my brothers, uncles and cousins - it's a true family outing.

+1 on Freddie, always loved to watch Payne Stewart

[antnee94]

My favorite is Tiger. We were both born in 1975. Must be an age thing.

I remember watching the 97 Masters with my grandmother at her house on Sunday (a really great memory I still hold). I will never forget how she hated him. She said he seems like a phony...I guess it only took 15 years for the truth to come out. I always wondered how she had that ability to see through people that way. It still cracks me up.

Anyway, I'm also one of the few that also loves Phil. Nothing better than watching them battle back in the day.

Other than those two, I really like the pride of St. Johns Keegan Bradley (because I also graduated from there), and Adam Scott. I love that swing.

But Tiger trumps them all.

[jmurder]

1) Tom Watson (2) Arnie,  (3) Jack, (4) Hogan