Q&A: Gill's serious about game, plays every day

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Country music star Vince Gill is one of many celebrities taking part in this week's Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

Editor's note: Country music superstar Vince Gill is one of the amateurs playing in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am this week. He took time out from his preparation to chat with PGATOUR.COM contributor Rick Odioso.

PGATOUR.COM: When did you start playing golf?

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GILL: Oh, when I was in second or third grade. My dad played some and we played together, kind of weekend warriors. He was a guitar player too, so I kind of ended up emulating the things he did. I wouldn't have been a guitar player if it wasn't for my dad. I loved sports, I probably would have ended up playing golf anyway. I was always playing something.

PGATOUR.COM: When was the last time you played a sport competitively?

GILL: It was on my high school golf team. I played all four years. Some of the guys that beat me then, like Bob Tway and the Edwards brothers, David and Danny, Jimmy Woodward, made it out here and still beat me today. But I can out-sing them.

PGATOUR.COM: What's your handicap?

GILL: Zero. I play just about every day. I ether beat balls or play if I'm not working too much.

PGATOUR.COM: Would you win the Country Music Championship?

GILL: I don't know. Just about everyone plays. There are quite a few single-digit handicaps that are country music folks. I've heard that Jake Owen played college golf and he is really good.

The consistency at our level is so squirrelly. Shoot 68 one day and 88 the next. So if we had a tournament there would be quite a few guys that could win.

PGATOUR.COM: You are 53 now. Have you thought about the Champions Tour?

GILL: I think I almost have enough of a game, but in all honesty I don't think I putt quite well enough. I do know that if I had applied to golf what I applied to music, I think I had enough talent. But I know it is a pipe dream.

I've tried to qualify for the last two Senior Opens. The first time I tried I was absolutely scared to death. I don't play competitive golf. Fifty-five guys for one spot, and I beat 48. So I came close, but I still didn't do it.

There's a lot more tension in trying to qualify than playing out here, even with the galleries. Here if you screw up, you can put it in our pocket.

PGATOUR.COM: One of your songs is "If I Had My Way." If you could have your way on the golf course, what would that be like?

GILL: Oh, I've had my way many times, just like today. To hang out with these guys, that's amazing. A couple of weeks ago, I played with Arnold Palmer. I kind of stepped back and said, whoa, who would ever have believed that you're playing with Arnold Palmer. It's sort of mind-boggling.

I've really had my way. I knew I wanted to be a musician. I would have made a living at it even if I was playing for $50 a night in a bar. And then all the other things I've been blessed with.

PGATOUR.COM: Finally, if your golf game was a country music song, what would it be?

GILL: "I'd Be Better Off In A Pine Box."