Outback Pro-AM news and notes

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent and Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, April 19, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking [+] Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT

Plant senior steps into good company

LUTZ — Six months ago Bryce Alley played in the Florida high school golf championship. Friday, the 18-year-old Plant senior found herself in a slightly larger tournament.

She was part of a foursome that featured pros Gary Koch and Andy Bean and former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann.

"It was amazing," she said. It was nerve-racking, but fun."

Her father was scheduled to play, but an ankle injury forced him to withdraw. So Outback co-founder Chris Sullivan asked Alley, a second-team All-Hillsborough County golfer last season, to fill in. Alley, who said she will play for the Florida Gators (alma mater for Koch and Bean), hit from the back tees, adding about 1,000 yards to her normal course distances.

"I was originally going to play from the red tees," Alley said of the front tees. "I mainly had to hit bigger irons. There were some greens out here that I could have driven from the red (tees), so I just had to go big on my woods."

Theismann complimented his young foursome partner, who helped her team shoot 3-under 68.

"She was a very nice young lady and extremely impressive considering the extra length," he said. "Heck, she almost parred the (443-yard par-4) final hole."

Playing favorites

Sullivan has never won the pro-am. He and partner Tom Watson were tied for third at 60. Even though Sullivan is the host, he's playing favorites when it comes to whom he wants to win.

"I hope Tom can defend his championship," he said. "If we end up making the cut and playing great, that is great. But I hope Tom wins the championship because I think it would be great for the tournament to have a defending champion."

Give him a guitar

Vince Gill is at ease in front of concert audiences of 20,000, but with a golf club in his hand in front of a gallery, the singer gets a little nervous.

"There is nothing as gut wrenching for me as this," said Gill, a scratch golfer who was five back. "You get a golf club in your hand and it's totally different than a guitar. I don't have a problem with a guitar and microphone in front of people, but put that golf club in my hand and all of a sudden it just takes your nerves and ratchets them up a bit."

Derrick's birthday

Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks spent his 35th birthday on the golf course. Brooks, a 15 handicap, played with Fulton Allem. They teamed to shoot 11 under. Brooks was serenaded with Happy Birthday by the crowd at the 18th green and given a birthday cake after his round.

Around the course

Jerry Pate, who won here in 2006, withdrew with a knee injury before teeing off. Danny Edwards took his place and shot par 71. … R.W. Eaks withdrew after nine holes with a recurring back injury. He shot 41 before leaving the course. Eaks' amateur partner, Jeff Lyash, will use Mark McNulty as his partner today. … Jim Albus and amateur partner Robert Eanell shot 12-under 59 to share the first-round pro-am lead with Mike Reid and Lawrence Wosskow.

Brandon Wright, Times correspondent, and Rodney Page, Times staff writer