Fun facts about the LVI field

Compiled Ron Kantowski

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1999 | 8:35 a.m.

Compiled By Ron Kantowski

Fun facts -- some moreso than others -- about the 144 players entered in the Las Vegas Invitational:

* Robert Allenby: Australian who lists fast boats as a hobby.

* Stephen Ames: The first touring pro to come out of Trinidad & Tobago.

* Billy Andrade: Wake Forest grad who runs the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charities for Children, which has donated $1.65 million to youngsters in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

* Tommy Armour III: Former Las Vegan whose grandfather won the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.

* Ty Armstrong: Was an all-state second baseman at Waxahachie, Texas.

* Woody Austin: Career has been hampered by a knee injury suffered as an 11-year-old Little Leaguer.

* Paul Azinger: Started playing golf at age 5 but didn't break 40 for nine holes until his senior year in high school.

* Briny Baird: Son of PGA Senior Tour veteran Butch Baird.

* Craig Barlow: Henderson native enjoys a good game of ping-pong -- er, table tennis.

* Doug Barron: Father introduced him to golf at age 3.

* Ben Bates: Helped lead Troy State (Ala.) to NCAA Division II golf title.

* Chip Beck: Continues to distribute monies he received for shooting a round of 59 -- just the second one in PGA Tour history -- at the 1991 LVI through the Chip Beck Scholarship Foundation.

* Cameron Beckman: Had played in only three PGA events prior to 1999.

* Rich Beem: New Mexico State grad who should have had a bet on the Aggies' football game vs. Arizona State last month.

* Chris Berry: Helped UNLV win 1998 NCAA golf title.

* Ronnie Black: Father was a high school basketball coach in New Mexico.

* Jay Don Blake: Drag racing fanatic who races in National Hot Road Association (NHRA) sportsman class races.

* Eric Booker: As a club pro, traded golf lessons for karate lessons.

* Alan Bratton: Member of Oklahoma State's 1995 National Championship team.

* Jeff Brehaut: University of Pacific grad who dabbles in landscaping and home renovations.

* Danny Briggs: Media savvy pro who stood in for injured Golf Channel commentator Mark Lye during the 1995 Nike Dakota Dunes Open.

* Mark Brooks: Collects vintage fountain pens, toy trains and architectural models and blueprints.

* Bob Burns: Laid-back California pro who is into dog breeding and relaxing.

* Mark Calcavecchia: Had a 185 bowling average as a 13-year-old.

* Jim Carter: Enjoys a good sunset.

* Brandel Chamblee: Used to rope calves on a ranch where TPC at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas now sits.

* Stewart Cink: Took up golf when his parents left him at a driving range before he was old enough to play on the course.

* Russ Cochran: Big University of Kentucky basketball fan.

* John Cook: Son of former LVI chief Jim Cook.

* Chris Couch: In 1991 was top-ranked junior in the United States.

* Fred Couples: Collects vintage automobiles.

* John Daly: Owns recreational vehicle and drives to many events.

* Robert Damron: Son of a retired Kentucky coal miner.

* Glen Day: Wears pictures of his kids on his cap while playing.

* Jay Delsing: Father Jim was a major league outfielder for 10 seasons.

* Clark Dennis: Missed 18-foot birdie putt that would have given him a 59 at 1997 Nike event in St. Louis.

* Chris DiMarco: Traveled the Nike Tour in custom van painted in Florida Gators colors.

* Trevor Dodds: Has triumphed over 1997 battle with testicular cancer.

* Doug Dunakey: Shot a 59 in the second round of the 1998 Nike Miami Valley Open.

* Joe Durant: Stacked boxes in a golf equipment house during a six-month respite from the game in 1991.

* John Elliott: Goes by the nickname "Jumbo" -- just like the Jets' offensive tackle.

* Bob Estes: Once worked for Charles Coody in bag room of Fairway Oaks Golf & Racquet Club.

* Brad Fabel: Formerly worked as a coal mine supplier.

* Brad Faxon: Enjoys all sports -- except hunting and fishing.

* Rick Fehr: Former two-time All-American at Brigham Young.

* Steve Flesch: One of only two lefties (Vic Wilk) to win on Nike Tour.

* Dan Forsman: Once took six weeks off to coach his son's Little League team.

* Harrison Frazer: Justin Leonard's roommate at the University of Texas.

* Robin Freeman: Son-in-law of baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner.

* Bob Friend: Son of former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bob Friend.

* David Frost: Co-owns a vineyard in his native South Africa with his brother.

* Edward Fryatt: Local product whose father, James, played pro soccer in England and set a world record for fastest goal from kickoff.

* Jim Furyk: Has one of pro golf's most unorthodox swings.

* Jim Gallagher Jr: Father (Jim), wife (Cissye), sister (Jackie Gallagher-Smith) and brother (Jeff) are all current or former touring pros.

* Jeff Gallagher: See above.

* Robert Gamez: Las Vegan who won the first PGA Tour tourney he entered, the 1990 Tucson Open.

* Brian Gay: Lists the stock market as one of his hobbies.

* Brent Geiberger: Son of Al, the first man to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event.

* Bill Glasson: One of the first PGA touring pros to sport a goatee.

* Paul Goydos: Former substitute teacher in Long Beach, Calif.

* Jimmy Green: Left wife Kelley holding the bag (as his caddie) during 1996 Nike win in Buffalo.

* Dudley Hart: Nicknamed "Mini-Volcano" for his once volatile temper.

* J.P. Hayes: No relation to J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. The Big Bopper.

* Brian Henninger: Twice reached semifinals of California state high school tennis tournament.

* Tim Herron: Used to pass Minnesota winters by ice fishing.

* Gabriel Hjertstedt: Swede dropped a suitcase on his foot, breaking it following his B.C. Open victory.

* Charley Hoffman: Former UNLV Rebel enjoys jet and snow skiing.

* P.H. Horgan III: Attended University of Rhode Island on a football scholarship.

* Bradley Hughes: Once signed a contract with the Melbourne Football Club, an Australian Rules team.

* Mike Hulbert: An avid fisherman who when son Justin was born weighing 8 lbs., 1/2 oz declared him: "Just perfect for mounting."

* Peter Jacobsen: Founded Jake Trout and the Flounders music group featuring himself, Payne Stewart, Mark Lye and Larry Rinker.

* Lee Janzen: Major Baltimore Orioles fan.

* Kent Jones: College teammate of PGA touring pro Sean Murphy at the University of New Mexico.

* Steve Jones: Was an all-state (Colorado) basketball player in high school.

* Pete Jordan: Former All-American at Texas Christian University (1986).

* Jonathan Kaye: Self-taught player who never had a teacher.

* Jerry Kelly: Was an all-city hockey player during high school in Madison, Wis.

* Skip Kendall: Former UNLV Rebel waited on tables in Orlando. Fla., while playing on mini-tours.

* Neal Lancaster: Hometown of Smithfield, N.C., was also the birthplace of actress Ava Gardner.

* Franklin Langham: Wife Ashely used to caddie for him prior to birth of couple's son Parker.

* Justin Leonard: Made a long putt at a pretty big golf tournament last month.

* Wayne Levi: Another stock market guy when he's not playing golf.

* J.L. Lewis: All-state basketball player in Kansas.

* Bruce Lietzke: Auto racing enthusiast.

* Tim Loustalot: Not a good last name for a pro golfer.

* Steve Lowery: Was honored as the top pro athlete in Alabama in 1985.

* Andrew Magee: Lists whistling among his hobbies.

* John Maginness: Named his son Jack Bristol, saying he didn't want him to be named after some character that might appear on "Melrose Place."

* Doug Martin: Big Notre Dame football fan.

* Bob May: Las Vegas resident who carries several lucky coins when he's playing.

* Billy Mayfair: Married Tammy McIntire on the 18th green at the TPC at Las Colinas prior to the 1994 Byron Nelson Classic.

* Blaine McAllister: Roomed with Fred Couples and CBS golf host Jim Nantz at the University of Houston.

* Scott McCarron: Once quit golf for four years to work in the family clothing business.

* Rocco Mediate: Lost 60 pounds of fat and added 15 pounds of muscle following 1994 back surgery.

* Katsumasa Miyamoto: Played on Japanese PGA Tour from 1996-98.

* Phil Mickelson: Can literally fly the green -- as a professional pilot.

* Perry Moss: One of only 10 players to win a Nike event after gaining entry through Monday's open qualifying.

* Sean Murphy: Was a punter, quarterback and free safety for high school state championship football team in New Mexico.

* Joe Ogilvie: Lists Bill Gates as one of his heroes.

* Deane Pappas: Teammate of John Daly at the University of Arkansas.

* Steve Pate: Earned the nickname "Volcano" for his fiery temper.

* Dennis Paulson: Sports a spiffy goatee.

* Tom Pernice Jr.: All-conference wrestler in high school who has a green thumb -- he's into gardening.

* Chris Perry: Son of major league pitcher Jim Perry, nephew of baseball Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.

* Lee Porter: Started playing golf at age 13 to keep busy while his mother was playing tennis.

* Dicky Pride: Big University of Alabama football fan.

* Tom Purtzer: Hangs out with former Milwaukee Brewers great Robin Yount, a fellow auto racing enthusiast.

* Charles Raulerson: Wife and sometimes caddie Liza also is an excellent golfer.

* Mike Reid: Nicknamed "Radar" for accuracy off the tee.

* Chris Riley: Ex-UNLV Rebel played the Nike Tour with his brother, Kevin, in 1998.

* Larry Rinker: Accomplished guitar player who often jams after hours on tour.

* Lee Rinker: Parents raised flowers and pro golfers. Brother of Larry Rinker, sister of Laurie, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour.

* Rory Sabbatini: South African who started playing as a youngster with chopped down clubs.

* Tom Scherrer: Avid hockey fan.

* Joey Sindelar: Grew up with fellow touring pro Mike Hulbert.

* Vijay Singh: Fiji's only world-class golfers is a big fan of snooker, cricket, rugby and soccer.

* Geoffrey Sisk: Both first and last names would be fitting for a butler.

* Jeff Sluman: Good friend of the 1986 Indy 500 champion and recently retired auto racing great Bobby Rahal.

* Chris Smith: Likes to restore old cars in his spare time.

* Mike Sposa: Like TV's Andy Griffith, lists fly fishing and guitar as his hobbies.

* Mike Springer: Stocky player (5-11, 210) who was an All-American at the University of Arizona.

* Craig Stadler: He is The Walrus. Koo-koo-kachoo.

* Paul Stankowski: Was so delighted to be playing in The Masters, bought a souvenir glass, filled it with sand from an Augusta bunker and placed tee and ball inside, just to say he was there, in 1996.

* Dave Stockton Jr.: Son of the veteran Senior pro.

* Kevin Sutherland: Brother David is also a PGA pro.

* David Sutherland: Brother Kevin is also a PGA pro.

* Phil Tautarangi: Father played Rugby for the New Zealand national team.

* Esteban Toledo: Appendicitis ended his four-year pro boxing career.

* Tommy Tolles: Hometown of Flat Rock, N.C., was also home of poet Carl Sandburg.

* Kirk Triplett: Played golf at Nevada-Reno.

* Ted Tryba: On his birthday, used to hit plastic golf balls out of his grandfather's mouth with a plastic club. On the day after his birthday, his parents paid for grandpa's loose fillings. (Only the first half is true.)

* Bob Tway: Three-time All-American at Oklahoma State.

* Omar Uresti: Named for actor Omar Sharif.

* Bo Van Pelt: Son of former New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt.

* Scott Verplank: Has two cousins pitching in baseball's minor leagues.

* Lanny Wadkins: Enjoys his reputation as a fierce competitor.

* Grant Waite: New Zealander was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma.

* Duffy Waldorf: Enjoys wearing colorful caps and shirts.

* Charles Warren: Biggest thrill in golf was watching the 1986 Masters from the gallery.

* Mike Weir: Hockey buff who played golf at BYU.

* Kevin Wentworth: One of the few left-handers on tour.

* Mark Wiebe: A huge Denver sports fan, he's probably miserable these days.

* Jay Williamson: Another of the tour's many hockey enthusiasts.

* Willie Wood: Sister Deanie played on the LPGA Tour.

* Fuzzy Zoeller: Has his own website: www.fuz.com.

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