Q&A with Wayne Gretzky
COLLINGWOOD, Ontario, Canada -- Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky, the namesake and host of this week's inaugural Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule on Wednesday to chat with PGATOUR.com Correspondent Dave Lagarde about golf, hockey, the tournament and more. Here is their conversation:
Question: When did you get started with golf?
Answer: I played a little when I was 16 and 17 but not a whole lot. I was more interested in baseball and box lacrosse. When I got to professional hockey, all my teammates played so it was the thing to do.
Q: What's the hook for you?
A: I find the game mentally refreshing. There's no telephone, no worries, no bothers. It's a game you can play forever with the family. My wife (Janet) loves the game. My daughter is on her school's team and my 17-year-old son loves to play. We get a tremendous amount of enjoyment playing together.
Q: Why did you decide to get involved with the Nationwide Tour?
A: I have become good friends with Mike Collins. We've played in his event (the Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am) three or four times and truly enjoyed it. I remember someone asking about the Nationwide's Canadian event and I learned it pulled out (in 2005). That started the ball rolling and I figured it would be a good fit for us.
Plus I could do something that would help my foundation (the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, built around encouraging kids to participate in hockey). We're playing on great golf courses (The Georgian Bay Golf Club and The Raven at Lora Bay) and I couldn't do it without the help of Samsung, Ford and the Scotia Bank.
Q: Where do you see this event in five years?
A: Right here and bigger and better. The community (townships in the Blue Mountain area, 90 miles north of Toronto) has really rallied around the event. We have more than 700 volunteers this week. I just cannot envision that we will not grow this event.
Q: What is it about hockey that enables so many of its players to become proficient at golf?
A: Well I don't know about that. (Laughing). A few players -- Marty Turco, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull -- are really good. Then there are a bunch of us from 10 (handicap) to 16. I just think it's the perfect game to play in the offseason. Players train in the morning and then get out on the golf course, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Q: What's the hardest shot you took in a hockey game?
A: In 1991, Gary Suter really cranked me. I didn't see him coming -- and I usually saw everything on the ice -- and he got me hard and clean.
Q: What's the hardest shot in golf?
A: Every one of them.
Q: What's your handicap?
A: It's 18 now. I just don't get a chance to play as much as I'd like now that I'm coaching (Phoenix Coyotes). I got it down to as low as nine at one time. Now I can go par-par-par and follow with 7-8-9.
Q: What's your best round?
A: I shot 78 from the blue tees, about 6,700 yards, at Sherwood Country Club (the Gretzkys' home course in Thousand Oaks, Calif.).
Q: What's the most memorable shot you've hit?
A: The first tee ball at Augusta National Golf Club. It was surreal.
Q: Who are your favorite players?
A: I like them all and they're all different. I like that Jeff Quinney is quiet and Tiger has that fire. Phil Mickelson's personality is unique. And they all carry themselves in such a professional manner.
Q: Ever wanted to cross-check your clubs?
A: No. I respect the game too much for that. I enjoy it a great deal. I just love going out to play.
Q: Name your five favorite golf courses.
A: Augusta National, Pine Valley, Sherwood, Whisper Rock (near Phoenix) and Brantford Country Club (in Gretzky's hometown of Brantford, Ontario).
Q: How about the five you must play before you sign your final scorecard?
A: I've been pretty lucky. I've played everywhere I've ever wanted to play.
Q: Who comprises your dream foursome and where do you play?
A: Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and my dad, Walter. We'd play at Augusta.
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