New Game, New Thinking: Chez Reavie profile

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As part of the New Game, New Thinking series, Chez Reavie, one of 25 rookies on the PGA TOUR this season, recently spent some time with PGATOUR.COM freelance writer Rudy Klancnik:

PGATOUR.COM: Would you prefer playing with a couple of other rookies or a couple of TOUR veterans?

CHEZ REAVIE: Honestly, I would have said rookies when I first got here. I had assumed that the best players in the world were pretty standoffish and wouldn't help the younger guys. Man, I couldn't have been more wrong. That's been my most pleasant surprise this first year. The best players are also the friendliest and most helpful. It's been great. I've been intimidated playing with some of the guys, but each and every one of them has made me feel like part of the club even when I'm not playing well. That's been cool.

PGATOUR.COM: It's early on in your TOUR career, but have you already identified a favorite track?

REAVIE: That's easy ... Riviera (Country Club) in Los Angeles. The history around that place made me nervous just being there. It was tremendous and crazy at the same time standing on that first tee. I really enjoy knowing about the game's history so it's been special for me to play on a lot of these great courses. But Riviera was extra special.

PGATOUR.COM: Speaking of "being out here," is there anything better on the planet than "being out here?"

REAVIE: No, it's awesome. Everything about it is great ... better than I even expected. The courses are perfect. Hard, but perfect. The volunteers are all nice and treat you like superstars. The food is the best, the courtesy cars are great and the crowds are big and into every shot. That was a huge change for me. The fans are watching your every move and cheer over the smallest things. A decent approach shot. A good lag putt. A fair bunker shot. They clap for everything. When you make a really good shot, then it's a roar. I need more of those.

PGATOUR.COM: I couldn't sleep the other night and started reading the PGA TOUR media guide. And guess whose bio I came across? This guy with the very unique name, Chez Reavie.

REAVIE: What did it say?

PGATOUR.COM: Glad you asked. Among other things, it says you like cars. What the heck does that mean?

REAVIE: I've always liked cars, fast cars and expensive cars. They asked me about stuff I liked so I gave them that. Maybe I should have come up with a more interesting response.

PGATOUR.COM: No, cars are cool. What type of car are you buying when you win your first TOUR event?

REAVIE: I'm not going there. That would be bad luck. I just need to keep improving from week to week and get into some top-10s first. Everyone out here is great. I need to get more consistent to be able to compete at this level. It's been tough so far. Rookies are at an immediate disadvantage since we just don't get to practice on these courses before tournaments. Most of us have never seen these places before and we've got no real practice time before teeing it up on Thursday. It's part of being a rookie, but it does make it tough.