Local stars, celebrities play in WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am
Jan 30, 2019, 3:02 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2019, 8:52 am
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Who knew that some of your favorite stars are so multi-talented?
Athletes and celebrities of both the local and national variety were on hand Wednesday to take part in the Annexus Pro-Am at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Playing at the par-71 TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, local athletes, former players, coaches and even musicians were there to play a round of golf alongside PGA Tour players and corporate partners.
Among those in the field were D-backs manager Torey Lovullo, relievers Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, country music star Jake Owen and Astros pitcher Justin Verlander.
“I know that Verlander is a pretty good golfer and I’ve only heard that through a lot of different resources,” Lovullo said. “I’m feeling like he could probably have the edge. I’ve seen Archie hit a golf ball, so between Archie and Verlander I think they might want to make the bets. If I bet anybody out here, I’m going to lose money.”
Some of the golfers who participated included Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson.
RELATED STORIES
“It’s always fun coming out to this event, especially having a chance to play with a couple pros and just see how they do it,” Phelps said. “It’s fun watching their approach and how they read the greens, just sort of every little trick that they have, I think is really fun.”
Phelps and several others noted the difficulty and infamy of the 16th hole, a hole with stadium seating around it filled with raucous fans who make noise. It’s unlike any other spot on the PGA Tour.
“I have had the pleasure of playing [16] twice and I went par, birdie on that,” Lovullo said. “That is the extreme, like the highest level of my game. It will never be any better.”
Bradley was there with his dad, and like father like son: The two were each wearing floral short-sleeve button-up shirts and both sporting large beards.
“Three years in a row — I think that’s the most special thing about this,” Bradley said. “Outside of the community involvement and the fans that come out, but having my dad right next to me three years in a row is pretty cool.”
Comments