Q&A: Lopez dreams of playing all top-100 courses

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

George Lopez during the 2010 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

Editor's note: Comedian and talk-show host George Lopez 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: What is it like playing in a PGA TOUR or Champions Tour pro-am?

LOPEZ: This is the equivalent of doing something like swimming with dolphins or being in the circus. Golf is a great game. It taught me all the stuff I needed to learn. It is among my greatest joys.

PGATOUR.COM: When was your first pro-am?

LOPEZ: My first PGA TOUR event was the 2004 Bob Hope Classic. Now, I had been there before as a fan. I have a friend, David Berganio, who played there in 1997 and I went to see him play the first round. I thought, 'what would it be like to play as a celebrity?'

I didn't have much going on in my career then. Ten years later, I'm hosting it and 11 years later I win it with Luke and Sam. I enjoyed hosting that event and I did not do anything other than try to make golf better, but it didn't work out.

PGATOUR.COM: What do you think is the future of pro-am events?

LOPEZ: Justin Timberlake is doing a fantastic job in Las Vegas with (the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open). But you know, the Champions (Tour), they understand the value of engaging with the fans and the value of a pro-am. The PGA TOUR, they play for so much money and so much is at stake, so they are a little more serious.

PGATOUR.COM: What tournaments are on your schedule?

LOPEZ: I play here, I play Justin's tournament. I play (the Crowne Plaza Invitational at) Colonial because of the history of the Colonial. I play AT&T (Pebble Beach National Pro-Am) because Clint Eastwood has always been good to me. I've played in the Dunhill at Carnoustie and St. Andrews. If I didn't have a gig I'd be out there more.

It's pretty amazing. I'm not great, but I love playing. Scores can be great, I've hit some great shots. But I've hit some terrible shots, too. But to got to places like Carnoustie as a celebrity...

PGATOUR.COM: Did you ever imagine that you would have a home at Pebble Beach?

LOPEZ: No, never. In 1999, I went there and bought a couple of tee-shirts and a couple of hats. I remember walking to my car thinking I just paid $100. But that first drive on 17 Mile Drive was amazing. So living there and being embraced by the community, it's great.

PGATOUR.COM: When did you realize that golf was for you?

LOPEZ: I was an only child, and it was something that I could do by myself. I haven't put a club down since my first round on Christmas Day in 1981. And when it started to take me places I started to meet people. I've made many of my better friends because of golf -- guys like Lee Trevino with whom I'm very close. Without golf, that friendship would never have happened. I played with him at a Champions Tour event in 2004, and we've been tight ever since.

And this week, I talked to Fred Couples. I'm a huge fan. Even though we're around the same age I look up to guys like Fred.

PGATOUR.COM: What are the top courses that you've played?

LOPEZ: I've played Pine Valley. I played at Augusta with Mike Weir. That's another friendship that has started through golf. I'm going back and staying in the cabins. I've played St. Andrews, the home of golf.

My goal is to play the top 100. I'd say I've played about half of them. I've knocked out all but three courses on the West Coast. The Olympic Club in San Francisco is one I'd really like to play. Every time I've tried to play there it hasn't happened, but it will.

PGATOUR.COM: You started playing golf before you hit it big. Do you think if you had not started playing golf your career would have taken off?

LOPEZ: If I had not played golf, I wouldn't have a career. I would not have the temperament that makes it perfect for this business. I was a hothead and I was dishonest. When I golfed I lied about score, I don't do that anymore. It was a valuable lesson. It's amazing.