Say what? with Jim Calhoun

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Oct. 12, 2008

Editor's note: In 20 years as the basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, Jim Calhoun has coached the Huskies to two NCAA championships. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Calhoun is also an avid golfer. He sat down for a Q&A with PGA TOUR media official Phil Stambaugh.

PGATOUR.COM: How did you get started in golf?

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Jim Calhoun

Calhoun: I think I started when I was in my mid-30s when my knee started to give out and I couldn't run marathons, I decided I wanted to do something that was competitive and quickly found out that golf was all the competition I ever needed. Similar to running, you can't blame anyone but yourself.

PGATOUR.COM: What's your handicap right now?

Calhoun: It's about a 9.3.

PGATOUR.COM: Do you have a favorite golfing moment?

Calhoun: In 1999, the same year we won the national championship, I made a double-eagle on the 18th hole on the Old Course at Ballybunion in Ireland. The ball hit the stick square and fell in.

PGATOUR.COM: Can you think of a dream foursome?

Calhoun: I think everybody would like to play with Tiger. I actually had a chance to walk with him at Royal Lytham & St. Annes along with Davis Love III and Brad Faxon, who's a good friend of mine. I'd probably like to play with Bill Clinton and watch Bill Clinton and Tiger together. I'm a big Clinton guy. He's probably the greatest politician who ever lived. Just for fun, we'd have John Daly join us to bomb away.

PGATOUR.COM: How often do you get to play?

Calhoun: It's seasonal. I play quite a bit during the summer, probably about 50 or 60 rounds. When I do play, I have a place at Colleton River Plantation near Hilton Head Island, S.C. I'm also a member at Pleasant Valley in Massachusetts and I'm an out-of-town member at Winged Foot in New York.

PGATOUR.COM: What's your best score ever and where did you shoot it?

Calhoun: One time, I shot 71 at the (Tournament Players Club) of River Highlands near Hartford where they have the (Buick Championship).

PGATOUR.COM: Whose swing would you like to have?

Calhoun: I've always liked David Toms' swing. I'll take that one.

PGATOUR.COM: What course would you like to play that you haven't?

Calhoun: I just recently played Augusta National for the second time. I've had several invitations, but haven't played yet at Pine Valley.

PGATOUR.COM: What part of the game comes easy to you?

Calhoun: Putting. I've always putted fairly well.

PGATOUR.COM: How about the hardest part of the game?

Calhoun: Driving. I can drive it anyplace.

PGATOUR.COM: How many strokes would you ask Tiger Woods for?

Calhoun: I'd probably have to ask for more than my share. I'd say I'd need 15 strokes for sure.

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