Just a Bill

Rogers is only mildly interested in his own return

Bill Rogers has heard the same question for the better part of the last dozen years: What ever happened to you? He had seven pretty good years on the PGA Tour, including a zenith in which he won the 1981 British Open. Then he fell off the map, fed up, frustrated and burned out by the game. He was out of golf by 1990.

He talked about all those subjects again last week at the Verizon Classic, the Senior tour stop in Lutz, Fla., just north of Tampa. The real question, though, was what Rogers was doing there and why he was taking up a sponsor's exemption when he admittedly has no intention of taking a serious run at senior golf. And why someone like Jay Overton, a club pro from the Tampa area who's got game and has proven it again by already Monday-qualifying for two Senior events, is watching from the sideline. (Overton lost a playoff for the last spot in qualifying for the Verizon Classic.)

"If you'd told me a couple of years ago I'd even have thought about playing again, I'd have told you you were crazy," Rogers said before the Verizon Classic. "I played one Senior event last year in San Antonio, but before that I hadn't posted a score in like 12 years. I don't resemble the player I used to be. I haven't kept up with either tour, I'm not proud to say. I don't feel particularly good about anything in my game now. I played mistake-free golf in my prime, drove it straight and had a good short game. I wouldn't know how to assess how I play now. I don't have much of a comfort level at anything."

Rogers, who lives in San Antonio and has been in private business since leaving the game in the late 1980s, didn't embarrass himself too badly at the TPC at Tampa Bay. He shot 75-74-77. His sponsor's exemption and Overton's snub go right to the heart of the tour's current dichotomy. It's a tour that's part nostalgia and part competition. Rogers was there for his nostalgia value, plus he is friendly with tournament czar Hollis Cavner. Overton's game would've been more competitive, although he's exactly the kind of player many on the Senior tour don't want joining their ranks -- a guy who can really play.

Rogers was a name player once, but even he admitted in Tampa, "The fans aren't storming up to the ropes saying, 'Oh, you're back!' or anything like that." He was amazed, though, when several fans pulled out faded, yellowed 1980s-era golf cards of his and asked him to sign.

So, for the zillionth time: What caused Rogers to flame out in mid-career at the age of 36? He finished 42nd or better on the PGA tour money list each year from 1977 through 1983, then never again made the top 125. He ranked sixth in '79 and fifth in '81, when he won three tour events in addition to the British. In a nutshell, Rogers said, the intensity he needed to be successful was simply gone. The worse he played, the less intensity he could muster.

"I got fat and happy, complacent with my skills, had a family come along and just lost my desire," said Rogers, who turned 50 last September. "I just went at it too hard in a short period of time and completely lost all focus ... The scary part was when it didn't hurt when I played bad. That's kind of what I lost. When I was playing well, I was on the edge. I really went at it hard and was intense. There was no way I could do that now. I didn't like myself as a competitor. I was ugly inside. I was mean. I was mad, and when things started sliding, I got even worse. Then I got into free fall. I really lost it.

"I have absolutely no regrets. I've been the most blessed person to have been able to participate at a high level and have a nice career. I have nothing but fond memories for the most part. It was real important for me to watch my kids grow up. I've got an 18- and a 15-year-old. I've got a great marriage. Things are lined up pretty well. It all worked out, it's been wonderful."

One of Rogers' current business projects is a new private golf club -- Briggs Ranch, in San Antonio. As a point man for the project, Rogers has been encouraged to get out and play a little more golf and become a little more visible. Hence his appearance at the Senior stop in San Antonio last fall, then in Tampa. He'll also team with buddy Bruce Lietzke in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in March. After the long layoff, Rogers got his first taste of golf again in 1999, when he and Lietzke served as assistant team captains for Ben Crenshaw at the 1999 Ryder Cup in Brookline, Mass., where the U.S. team won with a spirited comeback.

"That Saturday night was something special," Rogers said. "It was neat to watch that group of guys come together. Whether it was fate or destiny or whatever, it wouldn't have happened with any other captain. I weigh it as much of a highlight as having won the British Open."

That first taste has proved to be quite a big step. "I'd gotten so bad, had such a separation, that I actually saw the game as a waste of time for a few years," Rogers said. "I was really tired of the game. I had to physically break away from it for a while before I could look back and see how great an opportunity I'd had."

Don't expect a big Rogers comeback in senior golf. He admitted to wondering how he'd do on this tour if he got serious and played frequently, but in the next breath talked about being amazed at how the game has passed him by and how that competitive fire in him remains elusive. "I look at things from a different perspective now," Rogers said. "I'm content with my life."

The Mailbag

Where to go in Hilton Head when you're dead (or on a golf trip) ... Here are suggestions from Underground Golfer readers sent in response to a recent mailbag query on the best places to play around Hilton Head Island:

He's making one mistake already by booking a Harbour Town reservation. Yes, it's a very good course, but severely overpriced and the conditions will not be like he sees for the MCI Classic. I seek out good bang-for-your-buck courses. Hilton Head is very expensive (compared with Myrtle Beach), so look for replays (second rounds at vastly reduced rates). Both the Arthur Hills courses at Plantation Dunes and Hall are worth the replay. Old Carolina, yes, but not Old South. Hilton Head National and Hilton Head Country Club are OK. Stay away from the Jack Nicklaus parkland course. Go off island to Bluffton for more deals and head over to Fripp Island (one hour) for two good replay courses.
—Lee Clement, Milwaukee, Wis.

I've played the Ocean Course at Sea Pines for many years and although the fees are high (as are most on HHI), I find the course challenging with plenty of water and tight, tree-lined fairways. It is somewhat scenic (especially the par-3 15th, where you're hitting toward the Atlantic) even though the area is flat. Also, I tried the Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes in September. It was fairly scenic as well, and cheaper than many other HHI courses.
—Peter S., Omaha, Neb.

Check out Daufuskie Island Club and Resort. I played the Bloody Point course. Awesome combination of golf and scenery. Of course, you could say that about a lot of courses down Hilton Head way, but trust me on this one.
—Guy, Connecticut

Golf does not start or end with Harbour Town. In fact, save yourself $250 and just walk the 18th. You can expect a loooooooong day and more than likely some course construction. The best courses a visitor to the island can get on are Oyster Reef and Country Club of Hilton Head on Hilton Head Plantation; the two Arthur Hills courses (Palmetto Hall is a better overall course, but the Palmetto Dunes course can be a killer); Old Carolina and Old South usually offer a special to play both on the same day, so they are ideal for a buddy group; Hilton Head National has 27 good holes, but the original 18 are the best; and the Melrose course out on Daufuskie Island is a good day trip, but with Bloody Point closed, only one course can be played. Of course, you could try to find some locals to get on Long Cove, Haig Point, Berkeley Hall (best practice facility ever, and a second 18 just opened) or Colleton River.
—Geoff Henderson, Plainsboro, N.J.

I recommend the Melrose course on Daufuskie Island, which is a short ferry ride across Calibogue Sound. Designed by Jack Nicklaus in the '80s, the course features three finishing holes along the Atlantic (you won't find that anywhere on Hilton Head) with a view of Harbour Town and Sea Pines Plantation. Another option on Daufuskie is Bloody Point, a Weiskopf/Morrish course with a parkland layout featuring coastal marshes and dark-water lagoons.
—Chris Wray, Hilton Head, S.C.

And now, more from the Mailbag ...

What's your take on the man behind the shades, David Duval? He hasn't had a multi-win season since 1999, but did win a major last year. He doesn't seem to putt the way he did in the late '90's. Will he win any more majors? Don the green jacket? Really push El Tigre? Does he have the game? The head for it? What do other pros say about his skills? Give us your no-holds-barred opinion. Go for it.
—Peter Fleming, Atlanta

Duval's biggest drawback, if you can call it that, is that's he's smart, well-educated and well-rounded. He knows there is life beyond golf and, in the long run, that may cost him a few victories. Tiger is still all about golf, even though his globetrotting and deal-making gives the appearance that he's all about money. (He's not -- that's IMG.) Tiger has a single-mindedness toward golf that Duval will never have and, to be blunt, will never want. On the other hand, the lure of chasing Tiger will push Duval to be a better player than he might have been. He will win more majors. He certainly seems to have the game to win at Augusta. Can he get past Tiger for a lengthy reign as the No. 1 player in the world? Probably not. But can he beat Tiger at Augusta and in other majors at times? Of course. He already has. It's difficult to picture Duval playing golf into his 50s. He has too many other interests and is too curious to limit himself to the small world of golf, which is much to his credit. In short, Duval gets it, which is why I like him.

Who's going to be the first national writer to report that Tiger has been playing badly since May 2001? Whatever magic he had, it's gone. Who has the guts to say it? He may get it back tomorrow, but Tiger's essentially been non-competitive since the Slam. If I were him, I'd be worried.
—Jack Burgess, East Greenbush, N.Y.

Tiger probably suffered from a loss of interest after his Slam streak ended last year. It's just human nature to get a little complacent. He was off his game yet still made a run at the leaders at Torrey Pines. Golf is a game of ups and downs, Jack, not a straight line up like those old Internet stocks. If you're in a fantasy league and your buddy has Tiger in his lineup and you don't, I'd be worried.

Have you tried the new Cobra driver yet? I've heard great things about it. The new irons look pretty good, too. I grew up on Cobra and won my first club championship with them, so it would be nice to see the brand make a comeback.
—Paul Cross, Jakarta, Indonesia

After acquiring the Cobra brand, Titleist seemed intent on ruining it. Now they've decided to get serious and Cobra is a contender for comeback of the year. You're right, their new clubs look sharp. I haven't tried them yet, but they seem to have potential.

Can you help me understand what happened to Notah Begay? To go from a multiple winner on tour to rarely making the cut is puzzling. Is he hurt or a fluke?
—Andy, St. Paul, Minn.

Begay had back problems that sidelined him last year and hindered him when he did play. He appears to have worked out and slimmed down during rehab. Keep an eye on him this year.

What happened to Chris Perry? He has always been a solid player, but this year he can't break 80. What's wrong?
—Kevin Lair, Culpeper, Va.

Perry earned over $500,000 last year but made only four cuts after the Masters. He sprained his knee at Augusta, and that's a lingering injury. He part ways with long-time caddie Carl Hart, who left to try playing pro golf himself. Perry sprained his wrist during the British Open, another nagging injury that lingered and caused his swing to fall into bad habits.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle writes for the magazine's Golf Plus section and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send him a question or comment.

 

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