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Category Archives: Interviews

Jack’s bucket

Most golfers would agree that when their time comes, it wouldn’t be too bad to kick the bucket while enjoying a few rounds on the green. In fact, some fanatics among us might even prefer that they be permanently interred in their very own hole on the grounds.

A movie currently showing is The Bucket List, which features the incomparable Jack Nicholson - who also happens to be on the cover of the Dec 07-Jan 08 Golf Digest Philippines - as a terminally ill patient trying to accomplish a list of things to do before they kick the bucket. Which is why the movie is named so.

Jack would probably have something related to golf on his own personal bucket list, he is such a tireless golfer. He even has his own practice range at the back of his place in Beverly Hills. Jack even plays during movie shoots, although he wasn’t quite up to it during the Bucket List filming:

I had some medical stuff going on while we were shooting “The Bucket List” so I didn’t play at all and lost my swing a little. I watched Morgan Freeman swing. He’s an accomplished man, and a pilot, and now he’s bit too. He brought a mat when we were making the picture and we hit buckets of balls.”

Read more of Jack Nicholson’s Q&A in the Dec 07 - Jan 08 issue of Golf Digest Philippines, still out on the stands.

Head to head: Simpson versus Que

In this week’s segment of Head to Head, we pit Australia’s Gary Simpson against Filipino talent Angelo Que.

See the stark difference but also similarities shared between Simpson and Que when faced with daily challenges on and off the course on the Asian Tour.

How do you warm up?

Simpson: I would have a cup of coffee. I would then do a bit of stretching exercises and head to the range and hit around 20-30 golf balls.

Que: I would do a bit of stretching exercises in the locker room before I head to the range. If the range is small, I would go to the putting green.

What do you do after completing a round?

Simpson: Reflect on the score and see what I could have done and what happened throughout the course of the day.

Que: Eat. I would feel really hungry after a round and would head straight to the clubhouse for a meal.

It takes 45 minutes to get from hotel to golf course. How do you kill the time in the bus?

Simpson: I have too many things going through my mind so I don’t need other distractions like an i-pod. I just do a lot of thinking.

Que: Listen to my i-pod. It keeps me company especially during the long trips from the hotel to the golf club.

What’s the worst thing that you fear when you are playing?

Simpson: Struck by lightning, that would be a bad situation for anyone.

Que: I can’t pinpoint one but on top of the list would probably be playing a really bad round.

You’ve just shot a 65. What will you do after the round?

Simpson: Have a beer. Reward myself for a solid round and don’t do anything out of the ordinary.

Que: Eat. I love my food, what can I say!

How about after a round of 80?

Simpson: Have a beer. Hope to shoot for a better round in the following day.

Que: Eat. It is the first thing I do right away no matter what I shoot in a round.

You have two putts from 10 feet for par to win a title. Do you go for glory with a birdie?

Simpson: I will try and hole it regardless if I am gunning for a win or not. I will still try for a birdie, it’s in a players competitive nature to do that.

Que: I would go for a two-putt. A win is a win so better be safe than sorry.

What do you think of when you face a downhill 5-foot putt?

Simpson: At least I know I’m going to have an uphill putt coming back!

Que: Hopefully it goes in. Just putt it to the line.

After posting a double bogey, what are your thoughts at the next tee?

Simpson: On the next tee, I would be hitting it as hard as possible down the fairway to let a bit of steam out.

Que: I will stick to my game plan and put that double bogey behind me. It would not really affect me.

There’s water on the right and OB on the left. How do you approach this next tee shot to a par-4 480 yard hole being in position for a top-five finish?

Simpson: Suck it up and just hit it. Play the course the way I feel it. I just have to keep playing within myself.

Que: I would hit my normal drive, trust it and be confident with it. Hopefully it would go straight.

Will you speak to your playing partners if you’re in contention on the back nine on Sunday?

Simpson: Yes. I will have a bit of a chat if he is willing.

Que: I love to talk, especially when I’m playing. If it’s quiet while I’m out on course competing, I would feel a bit uneasy.

If you are drawn to play with Tiger Woods, how do you think you’ll react playing with him?

Simpson: Not sure really. I will find out when that happens as I really don’t know how I would feel playing next to Tiger.

Que: I would be nervous initially and would ask for an autograph. I might end up watching him play.

You’re playing in the Pro-am and one of your amateurs can’t hit the ball at all. What will do you do?

Simpson: Give him a couple of quick tips to try and help him out. If he does not improve, I would tell him to pick up another game.

Que: If they need help, I would help them out or I’ll encourage them to play and have fun.