INSIDE THE ROPES AT TURNING STONE
By Dave Mahoney
http://www.davemahoneygolf.com

Over the course of my life, I have been to major championships, competed with some outstanding players, seen some of the most beautiful courses, but never had the opportunity to be inside the ropes with some of the PGA Tour’s finest players.  This week at Turning Stone gave me an up close and personal behind the scenes look at the PGA Tour. 
 
When I was offered this opportunity, I was very excited about a few things.  First of all, having no media experience I was looking forward to seeing what it was like in the interview room as well in the actual media room.  The interview room at this particular tournament was very small, and even after the leaders came in, no more than 10 to 15 reporters were there at a time which made it very easy to ask questions if you wanted to do so.  In the media room we were surrounded by golf’s most recognizable sports writers, photographers, and of course The Golf Channel.  On top of that, I was also impressed by how much food they had there for us!  What a bonus!
 
My favorite part of the experience was having the ability to stand on the driving range as well as on all of the other practice facilities with the players.  I really wanted to get a close look at how these guys prepare and hit the ball.  On Saturday, I witnessed first hand some of the finest swings in golf today.  On the range I was standing directly behind Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker, Jonathan Byrd, Will MacKenzie, Matt Kuchar, Steve Elkington, Justin Rose, Aaron Baddeley, and Stuart Appleby.  They all had different approaches to hitting the ball, but they were all a pleasure to watch and were also very friendly.
 
After their rounds, they walked to the scoring table inside the clubhouse and then they would step outside for some quick interviews with The Golf Channel, XM Radio, or with me from Capital Area Golf.  I really wanted to talk with Will MacKenzie.  He offers a unique prospective on chasing a dream.  Will was nothing like a Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, or an Adam Scott who were all where very dominant amateur players that were destined for stardom on the PGA Tour since they were young.  Rather, he offers a different story that I feel resonates deeply with the human spirit.  At the tender age of 14, Will quit playing golf because he was burnt out.  After high school, he moved out west and went though a bunch of jobs, and snowboarded all the time, and even lived in his van for a while.  In his mid 20’s he began to wonder if his life was going to amount to much and even tried to open a Christmas tree shop that inevitably didn’t work out to well. 

Motivated by Payne Stewart’s U.S. Open triumph over Phil Mickelson at Pinehurst, Will decided that he was going to pick up the sticks again and put all of his energy into trying to make it on tour.  I asked him if he could offer some perspective for those who are chasing a dream that is considered outside the box.  He added “Perseverance.  You have to work hard, and you have to believe that you are going to make it.  I was shooting 77’s and 78’s and the people from where I grew up where looking at me like I was never going to make it.  I said I am going to make it; I’m in it for the long run.  If I have to wait for the Champion’s Tour, I am going to make it.  You have to see no other way.” 

Regardless of what your dream is, this story shows that with the right mindset, you can achieve what you set out to.  Very inspiring!  Will is currently on the PGA Tour and doing quite well, after Saturday’s round at Turning Stone, he was 8 under par and 6 shots back from the lead.
 
The event at Turning Stone offered me a tremendous opportunity to observe and imagine what its like on tour from a player’s eye.  I have a new respect for how hard these guys work, and how level headed the majority of the players remain through it all.  There was certain energy around this experience that made it all very special to me.  If you ever get the chance to step inside the ropes on tour, take advantage because it is an experience you will not forget!!!

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