I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other night. I can 100% confirm that some libations had been consumed, which may explain the subject matter:
Name five people you’d want to play a round of golf with.
Now, some ground rules:
- They have to be alive
- All individual rounds – none as a group
- The course doesn’t matter
- Golf skill doesn’t matter
Remember, this is a five-hour commitment to someone. That can be a blessing and a curse. It’s not a quick elevator conversation or a lunch, it’s 18 holes.
Michael Jordan – Arguably the best athlete ever. No matter the sport. I grew up in the Jordan era, and was/am completely obsessed with the guy. The recent documentary brought back a ton of those memories, and confirmed what we all knew growing up: not only is he the best athlete of all time, but he’s a really cool guy. Well known as an avid golfer, my guess is that he’s the type of guy to invite you to his course, and take care of everything. He also drinks Miller Lite. I’m sure the bets would be fun, but not as good as the stories. Probably need an Uber ride home.
Dave Lemieux – The archivist for the Grateful Dead, you. can hear his #TDIGDH every morning and evening on the 7s on the Grateful Dead SXM channel. This guy knows EVERYTHING about the Dead. I’d love to hear all the stories – maybe not first-hand knowledge, but you know he’s heard them all. He also seems like a genuinely nice guy – the kind of dude who would pick up the tab because he wants to. I know he’s an avid fly fisherman, but he seems like the type who would be open to a round of golf. I would be sure to bring the nicest Bluetooth speaker that I could sneak on the course…
Nick Saban – I am fascinated by Nick Saban. He has this untouchable lore in SEC country that essentially makes him seem untouchable, or inaccessible. Nick Saban has completely changed college football. His ability to win, and win quickly has changed the game. All CFB coaches owe Saban a debt of gratitude – because of him, they are all getting PAID. Quite frankly, I’m not a huge Bama fan, but I would love to spend five hours with Nick Saban. I have a feeling it would be an extremely interesting round – there’s no telling what would come up. I have a feeling the round would be packed full of prop bets, sh!t talk, and incredible stories from his years in the coaching ranks.
Condoleezza Rice – Quite possibly the smartest person on the planet. Extremely accomplished in almost every aspect of society – education (she has THIRTEEN honorary degrees), politics, business, and socially. She’s a golfer (and an ANGC member), a sports fan, and should be the next NFL commissioner. In every interview I’ve seen, she is smart, friendly, and gracious. One of those people who takes a genuine interest in everything, and everyone. After four hours+ with her, I would leave much smarter than when I showed up.
Matthew McConaughey – I’ve always thought Wooderson seemed like a cool guy. Good attitude. I’m sure we’d have a lot to talk about. Some subjects would be a little serious, and some would probably be a little trippy. Music, movies, college football, bourbon. Pretty much anything that is bro-related. I’m sure it would be an alright time.
Who are your five?
What an interesting question and I like your list. Fun fact on Saban is that he is a devout Catholic and can be seen at the local church for most Daily Masses.
My five:
Michael Phelps
President Donald J. Trump
I will steal Condolezza Rice
Big Ppapi David Ortiz
Lou Holtz
My Five….
Michael Williams from ACL
Bill Murray
Gregg Popovich
Steph Curry
Barack Obama
Solid choices. With Michael Williams, you could spend 5 hours just making fun of Coggins. That alone would make the round enjoyable.
Five:
Neil Young
Joe Biden
Jimmy Buffett
Barack Obama
Greg Maddux
Joe Biden lol
Pretty sure only two of these people are actually golfers, but I’m thinking of this more of who I’d want to spend 5-hours with;
-Kelly Slater (I figure he’s got good Surf Ranch golf swag).
-Phoebe Waller Bridge (Probably not a golfer, but this round will be side-splitting fun and we’ll probably get kicked of the course for behaviour)
-Yvon Chouinard (Probably going to get a lecture on the environmental impact, but he’s built one hell of a brand and we can talk fly-fishing as well. Win Win)
-Jose Andres (Golf will probably be not great, but you know he is going to have the best snacks).
-Carson Daly (I’m assuming this will be a fun, laid back round with lots of side bets and great stories).
Bernie Goetz
David Lee Roth
Martin Shkreli
Lon Horiuchi
Steve Hurley
Justin Timberlake
Tom Brady
Dan Bilzerian
Chipper Jones
Mark Wahlberg
Bobby Knight
George W. Bush
David Letterman
Peyton Manning
Tom Brady
Steve Spurrier
Bill Murray
Ty Webb
John Daly
Obama
Willie Nelson
Cormac McCarthy
Chris Rock
Bill McRaven
Salma Hayek
I like the Admiral McCraven idea
Tucker Carlson – for fun of it
Jimmy Connors – to share the gospel
Pastor Jack Hayford – to be mentored for 18 holes
Dr. Albert Mohler – for the intellectual and biblical stimulation
Jack Nicklaus – goes without saying
Might I add a comment about MJ being the greatest athlete ever? Agree, the greatest basketball player. But as I once read in SI or somewhere similar, “the best basketball player ever could not hit a curve ball”. Seems there needs to be some crossover abilities for that moniker. But, having never watched professional soccer until I took my son for his birthday about four years ago, I was blown away by those guys’ athletic ability. They almost never stop running, they score from long distances against multiple opponents, they are truly the best conditioned athletes I have seen, etc. etc., etc. And imagine MJ, or Willie Mays, or Babe Ruth, or Muhammad Ali, or Tiger, or ________, scoring a goal while inverted in the air, head pointed to the ground. And, while this is influenced by current Olympic television, imagine any of those having the strength to compete in the men’s rings gymnastics, or the agility to do a double back flip on the balance beam as the girls do. Just food for thought.
Jason Isbell
Michael Lewis
Phil Knight
Bo Jackson
Tiger
1. Matthew McConaughey – coolest dude ever
2. Andre Agassi
3. Bo Jackson
4. Cam Newton
5. John Bell