1 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: I'm sure your dad impacted more golfing lives than most 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:09,280 Speaker 1: people play this pg A tour, but all of us 3 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: have some path in American golf, pretty much to the 4 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: PGA of America. So it's a it's a it's a 5 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: great life really and it's a life of giving. Um. 6 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: So anyway, thank you for that. Put another log on 7 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: the fire nobody here is get the time. All right, Hello, 8 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: this is Alan ship Knock back for another fire Drill podcast. 9 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: On my left Michael Bamberger, frequent wingman. We are here 10 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: in the press room at UM Southern Hills almost at 11 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:52,880 Speaker 1: Oakland Hills, Southern Hills, Tulsa, Oklahoma. One of the great 12 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: things about the pg Championship is it the one week 13 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: all year we really celebrate the club pros. They get 14 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: the stage and they get the who do is that 15 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: they deserve. We know it's a challenging profession. And joining 16 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: us is Rick Riley, the head pro at Wilshire Country 17 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: Club in l A. Rick, thanks for being here. You 18 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: great to be here. Thanks thanks for having me on 19 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: your podcast. Looking forward to Oh yeah, well, as Michael 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 1: said a minute ago, which it was under a little 21 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: happier circumstances, but uh, you know, your father was a 22 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: legend in the field, and he was past president of 23 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 1: the PGA Championship and unfortunately passed away recently, and Michael 24 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: here wrote a beautiful tribute that kind of introduced him 25 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 1: to some of our readers, and we thought, you know, 26 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 1: this being the PGA, we just we wanted to talk 27 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 1: a little bit more about his life and legacy. And Michael, 28 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: let me turn it over to you. Yeah, it was 29 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 1: it was ne Rick here and life is so weird. 30 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: I got interested in in your in your dad's life 31 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 1: by reporting another story and then someone brought up your 32 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: dad's name and I was interested in the father something 33 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: and how the game gets handed down, and of course 34 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: you're a great example of that. So what you know, 35 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: maybe that's a starting point. Uh what's it like to 36 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: grow up under the watch of a pg A club 37 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: professional and then become one yourself. Well, my dad was 38 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,399 Speaker 1: unique individual. He you know, obviously started out with a lot, 39 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 1: not a lot. But you know, the one thing I 40 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: learned from my dad is, you know, he always talked about, like, 41 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: to be a good PGA professional, you have to be 42 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 1: like a five point player. You have to be a 43 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: player a teacher and merchandiser administrator, but the most important thing, 44 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 1: you gotta be a people person. So I mean, he he, 45 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 1: He was an ant El Camino for ten years and 46 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: for thirty years, I just kind of watched him, you know, 47 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 1: deal with the people, you know, take care of the 48 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: ladies who couldn't get it across the over the bunker, 49 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 1: and at the end of the the day, you're just you're 50 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: you're trying to promote the game of golf, you know, 51 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 1: but people have a good time playing golf, and get 52 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 1: him getting walking away from the golf course with like 53 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: a great experience. So for me, it's kind of something 54 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: I've watched Dan Dale and my dad had grown up 55 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,799 Speaker 1: at and he'd be I'd be in his office, he'd 56 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: be chewing me out for someone banging a club or 57 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: getting upset or something like that. But it was always, uh, 58 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: you know, do it the right way. He's his his 59 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: his motto was the right way, the wrong way, in 60 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: the right way. So um, kind of big shoes to fill, 61 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 1: but that's that's kind of what he talked about. And 62 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: I kind of tried to follow his lead all these 63 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: years and and just um, you know, obviously I missed him, 64 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 1: but you know he's still here in my heart and 65 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: try to do what he would do, you know, thinking 66 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 1: about when you make a decision on something like what 67 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: would pat Riley do? That type of thing. So it's 68 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: I've been lucky that way to have that kind of 69 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: fall back on. That's that's really beautiful. I love that. 70 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: I mean I didn't have the pleasure of ever meeting 71 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: your dad, but from from reading Michael's words and some 72 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: of the things you said through the years and we've 73 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: been playing golf, it he just seemed like a larger 74 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: than life character. And it's almost and something seems like 75 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: a dying breed where you have these these club pros 76 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: who stay at one place for thirty years, like like 77 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: like like your dad did and Dale and maybe you'll 78 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: do it at Wilshire. But I mean, how important is 79 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: it to the life of the club when when you 80 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: have these figures who transcend the generations and and really 81 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: bring that continuity and become just a part of the 82 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,720 Speaker 1: fabric of the life of a club. You know, it's 83 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: funny to hear you've been here since seven Wilshire and 84 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: you know it's kind of it's it's a family. We 85 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: kind of talked about the family aspect of the membership 86 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: as well as my team here, and you know, it's 87 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: just you know, we're all we're all really lucky to 88 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: come to a golf course every day. I mean, you 89 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: look in other parts of life and it's we're not 90 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 1: not so blessed on people. So it's it's coming here, 91 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 1: you know, doing the right thing for all the members 92 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: and our team here. It's it's it's I like to 93 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 1: come to work every day. I guess said, they're paying 94 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: me to do this. Yeah, that's great, but it's it's something. 95 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: It's something as a kid, I want to be at 96 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 1: the golf course all day. I'm kind of a golf 97 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: course junkie. So it's it's a great place to be. 98 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 1: We're very lucky here, will Shure. You've got a great, 99 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: great club here, great history and here for a hundred 100 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: and two years now, and just want to make sure 101 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 1: that you know, when people walk away from Welsh whether 102 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: it's a member or guest like this had a great time. 103 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 1: Then that's that's kind of what golf and in any 104 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: clubs should be that way in the country, like enjoy 105 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: the day, the game, walk away and get experience you 106 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: may know this, but there was a World Golf Hall 107 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: of Famer Uh at Mr Riley's funeral, Dean Beamon gave 108 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: the second reading. Uh yeah, I mean that's quite his 109 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 1: statement because Demon is not a young man and he 110 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: lives in Florida, so it's a long way to come. 111 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: What what what did that mean to and what can 112 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 1: you tell us about the relationship between dem Bam and 113 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: with jam Bon and your dad? Well, they had an 114 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,799 Speaker 1: interestant relationship because obviously my dad was representing the PJA 115 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: of America, the best censors of the PJA American Demons 116 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: obviously representing the best censers of the PGA Tour. But 117 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:51,919 Speaker 1: at the same time they're both trying to grow the 118 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: game of golf. And there are some things obviously over 119 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: the years, like we have the PGA Championship and got 120 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: twenty PGA Club pros in there right now, which is 121 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: which is great. I mean that's a big deal for 122 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: our PGA club phone professional playing this event. At one 123 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: time there were forty players. That was probably too many. 124 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 1: But uh, those two, those two very interesting relationship because 125 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: they were they butted heads a lot back in the 126 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 1: day when he was when he was the president PGA 127 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: when Dean was running the tour, but they became good 128 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: friends because they able to work out their differences and 129 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, it was it was 130 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 1: all about what's best for the game of golf. They 131 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: always had that vision, like what's what's the best thing 132 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, and it's it's it's 133 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: sometimes easy to get caught up in that, but it's 134 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: I think both of those my dad and Dean had 135 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: the same vision from that perspective. Very neat. That that 136 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: is neat. I mean, it was just a quirk of 137 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 1: faith that that your your dad was running the Page 138 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 1: of America during the Shoal Creek controversy, which was very 139 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 1: impactful for the entire sport and really the whole culture 140 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: of golf and now and then he seemed like he 141 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: did a fantastic job guiding the PG of America into 142 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: this this new year where you know, it really became 143 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: something that it was sort of a background issue. People 144 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: knew about it, but for those aren't familiar, Shoal Creek 145 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: was this host club in Alabama and they didn't have 146 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: they had an all white membership, and that became controversial 147 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: based on some public statements by their club president, and 148 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: very quickly, under the leadership of your dad, things changed 149 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 1: and should Creeks membership changed, and it swept throughout the 150 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: whole Gulf world. And how much you remember that that 151 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: conversation around the at the dinner table, and what can 152 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: you tell us about about that very fraught moment. You know, 153 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: it's interesting because uh, you know, back then it was 154 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 1: it was. It was difficult for my dad because you know, 155 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: he obviously working at a club um and he had 156 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: to you know, Ian hall Thompson, we're buddies always all 157 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: rand Shawl Creek and you know when you're when you're 158 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: doing you're gonna host PJ Champs, you're going to the 159 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: US Open, you're going pg A, British Open, the Masters, 160 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: and you're seeing what everyone's doing, right, And it was 161 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: kind of an innocuous comment, but it kind of caught 162 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: win about a month before and you know, he had 163 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: he had to make a decision. He and Hallward buddies 164 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: to usten home, get two choices, rather going to admit 165 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 1: a minority member or we're gonna move it down the road. 166 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: And obviously they admitted a minority member, which has been 167 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: in the best interes of hall clubs, and I think 168 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: a lot of clubs now have taken on this name. 169 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: Much more inclusive golf is a much more inclusive sport. 170 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: And I'm not saying it's because of what my dad did, 171 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: but it's just, um, it definitely helped start the conversation. 172 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: Of course, No, it was a very principal stand. I 173 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 1: mean that that's when you think about golf and race, 174 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: and it's been a little bit of a tortured history, 175 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: but that's a very important milestone that helps set about 176 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 1: a widespread chain. So I wouldn't underplay his role that 177 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: at all. And then uh, and then another event. This 178 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: is so obscure and so hard to explain, but it 179 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: was a really big deal at the time because people 180 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:57,560 Speaker 1: think this whole thing with live golf that's going now 181 00:08:57,679 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: is the first time golfer ever had any controversy. They 182 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: weren't around like your dad was for the square groove controversy. 183 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,079 Speaker 1: And you could open up the Wall Street Journal, the 184 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: New York Times and see schematic diagrams with grooves. Look 185 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: like at how much volume of groove there was. It 186 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: was crazily inside baseball. It was quite interesting. But your 187 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: dad was in the middle of it in the simplest 188 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: terms possible. Couldn't explain what it was, what your dad's 189 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: stance was on it. You know, at the end of 190 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 1: the day, you know, listen to square groups saying, you know, 191 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 1: it benefited the tour player, Yeah they can, they can 192 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: spin it out of the rough, but for the for 193 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: the rank and file member, like we got, golf is 194 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: a tough game. You just stand listen, we gotta make 195 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,559 Speaker 1: it better for for all the players, not just the 196 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: two percent on their you know, you know, making their 197 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: name on tour and that type of thing. And you know, 198 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: and and for the manufacturers as well. I mean, you know, 199 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 1: paying had a lot of money invested in their molds 200 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 1: and that it's like that that that made it more 201 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: fun for the everyday player to play golf. And that 202 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 1: was kind of his you know, my dad was a 203 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 1: great ball ster. He always start with a potty and 204 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: he he used a long Partterny's like, let Pat Ratty 205 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,560 Speaker 1: use a long puttery. Let's let's let these guys use 206 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: a long putter. So it's all about making the game 207 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,439 Speaker 1: more playable. The games and listen to the US g 208 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: In the last couple of years has made some changes. 209 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 1: The game is definitely more playable now, some of the 210 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: things they've done to make it, the rules easier, some 211 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 1: of the some of the things that relaxed. And obviously 212 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,439 Speaker 1: the ball, the flight, how long the ball going. That's 213 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 1: that's going to continue. But his whole, his whole stance. 214 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: And I was listening to PGA tour players. Maybe maybe 215 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: you bifurcated. You know, you don't let them use that. 216 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: But the everyday player, let me hit, let me hit 217 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 1: a shot of a bunker out of the rough lund 218 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: of ball stop on the green celler. You know, it's 219 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: it's make it fun, make it playable, make it more 220 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 1: enjoyable for everybody. And that was kind of his. It 221 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: was his direction. That's so sensible. Like I never walked 222 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: up a golf course and geez, I was really spitting 223 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 1: my wedge too much today, Like I'm really bubbed about 224 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: how sucking those wedges back. That just doesn't happen. I 225 00:10:58,080 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: was starting to a fellow today who was going to 226 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: be the next president of the of the U s 227 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: J and like he was telling me about what would 228 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 1: be in his a. Jenny is a very interesting, smart guy, 229 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 1: and I was thinking, I wish I could just say 230 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: what I feel, which is you want to you want 231 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:13,679 Speaker 1: to simplify golf for people. You can't make worse than 232 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:16,199 Speaker 1: a triple bogey, move on, and you can't write and 233 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 1: for handicapped purposes for everybody, doesn't matter where levels, no 234 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: one cares. Just drop it where we're out in your 235 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: chemic wors in triple and the game is going to 236 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: be faster and more enjoyable for more people. But we do. 237 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: Your dad, I think, had the right attitude, did your 238 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: dad of relationship with Arren Palmer, because he Arnold had 239 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 1: very much the same attitude. Yeah, so my dad. You know, 240 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: they're both from western Pennsylvania. My dad would from Sharon 241 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 1: al from Latrope and they actually they become pretty good 242 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: friends because at annandale Um Arnold would come out every 243 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: year and playing an exhibition to raise money for the 244 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: Methodist Hospital and sat in Pasadena. So for twenty years 245 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: my dad would play, you know, he had Laura Baugh, 246 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 1: Julie Ekster, Mark McCormick would play because Mark obviously was 247 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: you know, one of the visionaries in golf with you know, 248 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 1: the first three guys were obviously Nick was Palmer and player. Um, 249 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,680 Speaker 1: and then so every year you got to know, you 250 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,959 Speaker 1: got to know the family. And and Arnold was I 251 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 1: mean he's he's still in obviously everyone's money. He's he's 252 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: the greatest. I mean what he's done for golf. And 253 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: my dad and he got along real well. They they've 254 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,719 Speaker 1: had similar views on things. And you both from kind 255 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 1: of a you know, less than wealthy family. They worked 256 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 1: their way to the top. So, um, yeah, it was great, 257 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: It was very lucky. I gotta I got a picture 258 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:33,560 Speaker 1: of offs of me and Armald here, I got a 259 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 1: picture sitting here with my dad and all I'm like 260 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: ten years old, walk in Brookside. So it's you know, 261 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: those are those are memories all always told my heart. 262 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,199 Speaker 1: So is that your dad behind you in that photograph? 263 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: And over your right shoulder, that's Bobby Jones. I gotta 264 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: cheat part of him. Um, did you ever consider doing 265 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 1: anything else for a living? Rick? What excuse me? Did 266 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 1: you ever do any consider doing anything else for a 267 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: living than what you're doing? Now? You know, it's funny. 268 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: I played golf in college. You have had a golf scholarship, 269 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 1: and I was, I was, I wasn't playing great when 270 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 1: I got out of school and I see, now I'm 271 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 1: not gonna. I mean, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna 272 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: go into this business, my dad's band. So I went 273 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: to work for the guy that worked for my dad, 274 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: Pete Co down allaho As there for four years and 275 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 1: I was gonna after that, I was gonna go to 276 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: work for my dad. And this this position opened up 277 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 1: at Wilshire and I've been ever since. But yeah, um, 278 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: I always kind of said, you know that the club 279 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: pro is the guy that kind of promotes the game 280 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: of golf. The tour pros were making the money, but 281 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 1: the club pros really the guy behind the scenes. It's 282 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 1: really you know, getting the kids to learn how to 283 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 1: play golf, getting the girls out there, the young kids, 284 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: the only people, and that's what it's all about. You mean, 285 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: that's I mean, golf is obviously had a great boom 286 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 1: as a result of COVID, but it I hope it continues. 287 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: We've got to keep, you know, keep promoting the game 288 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: of golf. I mean, it's it's a game for everybody. 289 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: Like this is super super obscure. But was there a 290 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: outing at Willshire a few years back where Charlie sever, 291 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 1: Tom Siever's father, Bobby Jones and maybe Hagen played together. 292 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: Did ever hear of such a thing? Yeah, we got 293 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: some great history here. We got uh, you know, we 294 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 1: had the l a open here back in the thirties 295 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 1: and forties. Um, yeah, I'm sure those guys. We have 296 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: some pictures hanging on the walls here and I'm sure 297 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: that was the case. Definitely Bobby ken Hogan, much of 298 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: those old timers. But yeah, the reason comes to mind 299 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: is I think Sandy Tatum told me that that's how 300 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: he uh, that's how he got interested in golf. Was 301 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: was going to an exhibition where Tom Severs father Charlie 302 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: Severs playing with Poppy Jones literally in the twenties and 303 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 1: and uh Tatum lived near the courts and went over there, 304 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 1: and and uh and and so for the end, Sandy's 305 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 1: dad was actually one of the first members of Wilshire. 306 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 1: And Sandy told a great story here. He grew up 307 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: here on Wilshire, his dad was a member, and he 308 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: told a great story where you was misbehaving, you know, 309 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 1: banging his cloud like we all did his kids, and 310 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: he said, listen, you're gonna sit right here. You're not 311 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 1: gonna play the golf that he's you're just gonna wait 312 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: here and when I come through the term, we're gonna talk. 313 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: So I guess Sandy sat there for three hours waiting 314 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: for his dad to make the turn or you know, 315 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: finished around in golf, and he said, I learned my 316 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: lesson that day. So Sandy was great. He came here 317 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: and made it, had made a great a great speech 318 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 1: about mystery. Passed away about ten years ago. And he 319 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: was a cool story because here's a guy that ran 320 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 1: in the U. S. G A, you know, the pillar 321 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: of golf and the utmost gentleman and talked about, hey, 322 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: you know he help golf like made him, made him nuts, 323 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 1: but he kind of learned from his mistakes. So it's 324 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: it's pretty cool stuff. Is Howard Hughes a member of 325 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: your Place. Art Hughes was a member. He his his 326 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: house was on the eighth hole. Stories about you know 327 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: him playing and I guess Kathryne Hepper just sitting up 328 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: on the balcony kind of distracting the guys playing, and uh, 329 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: the funny stories they talked. They say land the plane 330 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: on number six, but he actually landed the plane on 331 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: the eighth, told Bell Air. I guess Jathon Pepper was 332 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: playing golf and he he landed a plane. He was 333 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 1: a member there as well, and uh actually get chicked 334 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: out because it took like a month to disassemble the 335 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: plane on the bell Air. I didn't have enough runway 336 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:20,560 Speaker 1: to just like fly it out of there like he 337 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: was take it off. Firestone would be a good golf 338 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: course to land a plane on. Bell Air definitely not 339 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: too many canyons and cravasses. Uh, well, that's great. I mean, 340 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: it's just fun to talk about this stuff with you, Rick, 341 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: I mean, just to bring this to a close up 342 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: in in this aftermath after your father has passed away. 343 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 1: I'm sure you've heard from a lot of people in 344 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: the game. Is there any anything that's been particularly memorable 345 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 1: or meaningful to you? You know, I've I've had so 346 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: many people, you know, semi notoates and condolence citizen. You know, 347 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: it's it's um obviously it's the first time I really 348 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: lost a close relative like that. But just you know 349 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 1: what what he meant to so many people, like the 350 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: words they the words they wrote and spoke to me. 351 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 1: We're just very meaningful and heartfelt, you know, Like I said, 352 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,920 Speaker 1: he's he's he's a big he's a big legend in 353 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,399 Speaker 1: the game of golf. Um and its spirit will carry on. 354 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: I mean, it's right here and like like I'm gonna 355 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:25,199 Speaker 1: I'm gonna keep doing what he wanted me to do. 356 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:27,160 Speaker 1: And I think a lot of the people that worked 357 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: from are in the same boat. They were kind of 358 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: trained by Pat Riley and they like he says, it's 359 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: they're gonna do it the Riley way. It's neat. And 360 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,680 Speaker 1: he played in a PJ championship, played in Columbine and 361 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 1: up that's neat. Yeah, I mean, you gotta have a 362 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 1: lot of golf game. There's a lot of club pros 363 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: who want to play in the tournament only for to 364 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 1: get in. Yeah, exactly, exactly, that's great. I love this 365 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: is this is really one of the special things about 366 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: this tournament. The average fan that they see these these 367 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 1: club pros and they're not familiar with the names and 368 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 1: not George Speede, that's not really relay, so they don't 369 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 1: they don't really invest in the stories. But when you 370 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: dig into the stories of the guys who make it there, 371 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 1: it's really special. So a couple of kids in our sitting, 372 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 1: you know, Michael Block, Who's and you had, you know, 373 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: seventy one today. But I mean, it's that's. I mean, 374 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,120 Speaker 1: it's it's pretty amazing that yet twenty club pros who 375 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: probably played maybe one or two events all year and 376 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 1: they're gonna play in a major championship. So it's a 377 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 1: really hard course, really hard golf course. It's it's and 378 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: and people say why they listen because it's a PGA 379 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: of America. That's who we are. We're promoting the game 380 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 1: of golf for developing players. And when a game makes 381 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: it cut, it's it's I mean, it's gravy, but it's 382 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it's great for all the golf 383 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 1: to see these guys out there in the stories and 384 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: you know what it took term to get there. It's 385 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:48,159 Speaker 1: it's it's impressive. I agree. Well, Rick, thank you so 386 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: much for doing this with us. And for those who 387 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: are listening to this podcast. Michael's story will be up 388 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: at Firepit Collective dot com. It's it's beautifully done. I 389 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: would really encourage yeah, no, it really, it was really moving, 390 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 1: and um, I would encourage you to check out the story. 391 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 1: It's it's it's a must read. So and Curiously, the 392 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: philanthropy that you designated for for child Bold Gifts and 393 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: your dad's name is one that's deer to the fire 394 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: Pit Collective as well as I'm sure you know, but 395 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:16,080 Speaker 1: but I didn't know at all. I mean, that was 396 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: just a weird coincidence. But maybe you could explain what 397 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,080 Speaker 1: it is. Yeah, it was for goat Hill Park, which 398 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 1: you know, it's kind of the junior program there, I guess, yeah, 399 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 1: the junior program and the Caddy program. It's really sort 400 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 1: of the spiritual home of the fire Per Collective. You know, 401 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: our guys played there all the time, and it's it's 402 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 1: going to be at the site of different initiatives that 403 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: we run through. So it I mean, that's very kind 404 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 1: of you, Rick. We won't appreciate. You know. What's funny 405 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: because my dad was a dull community which is just 406 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:44,160 Speaker 1: around the corner. I can remember there's a kid canny 407 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: for my dad when I was like ten years old, 408 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 1: when it was when it was it was Oceanside right 409 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 1: now it's going Hill. But and just that whole North 410 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: I got my start and you know North County Junior Golf. 411 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: My dad got to start Caddy and so it's just 412 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:57,959 Speaker 1: it's a perfect marriage because I mean I've seen like 413 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 1: three of the kids that are go down for some 414 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: of the terms down there, and there's three kids going 415 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 1: to college this year that would have probably not gone 416 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: to school. We're not for God Hill Caddy Academy. It's 417 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:12,160 Speaker 1: it's impressive. With all due respect to anybody who wins 418 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: this championship, Jason Duffner and and everybody else is everyone, 419 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: I'm sure your dad impacted more golfing lives than most 420 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: people play this PGA tour. Uh And I think that 421 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 1: message really it's hard to tell that message, but it's 422 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: the truth. And anybody who knows club golf and knows 423 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 1: the kind of life that your dad led and lots 424 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,199 Speaker 1: of other people just like them, you know that they 425 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: changed my life and Alan's life working coming up as 426 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: a cardboy. And you know, if you look at Alan's 427 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:39,399 Speaker 1: starting golf as a carboy Pebble Beach, at some point, 428 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: it's you know, there was a headpro was way on 429 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 1: high and it filtered on down and influenced Alan. Same 430 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: for me, same for you in a very different way. 431 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: But all of us have some path in American golf 432 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: pretty much to the PGA of America. So it's a 433 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 1: it's a it's a great life really and it's a 434 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:57,679 Speaker 1: life of giving. Um. So anyway, thank you for that. 435 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:02,840 Speaker 1: Appreciate that. Rick, Thank you again for being here. You too, Michael. 436 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 1: Well we'll bring this fire drill to a close. But 437 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:10,480 Speaker 1: um to a little tip of the cap to uh to. 438 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: Pat Riley's no doubt looking down on on this event 439 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: with a with a with a rice smile. So um 440 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 1: signing off from Southern Hills. But thanks again, Rick, Thanks 441 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: you guys, appreciate it. Put another log on the fire. 442 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 1: Nobody here is get the time.