Boo talks to you
Man of the people Boo Weekley answers questions from you, the people!
Last week I spent some time with two-time Tour winner and '08 Ryder Cup stud Boo Weekley, asking him questions posted and emailed by all y'all's. (Dag-gummit, his southern-fried accent is rubbin' off.) Here are his apostrophe-filled answers. (This Q&A is best enjoyed with a pinch of Skoal between your cheek and gum.)
Q. Boo, what's your take on Tiger Woods? (Big Fan)
What's my take on Tiger? None of my damn business, that's my take. None of my business. I ain't commentin'.
Q. If Tiger's gone for a long time, is golf in trouble? (Mike W.)
I didn't know the Tour was a one-man show. I don't know how you can justify saying that just 'cause Tiger's not here, then our Tour might go to sh--. I just don't see that. We had a pretty good Ryder Cup [in 2008, which Tiger missed due to knee surgery]. I mean, if it's gonna be like that, why don't Tiger start his own tour? Or just have 15 tournaments out here every year -- the ones he plays -- and cancel the rest? He's good, but last I checked this wasn't a one-man circus.
Q. Hey, Boo. How was deer-hunting this season? (David K., Wisconsin)
Real good. I killed a couple 8-point [deer], a 9-point, a 10-, and a couple does. But it ain't over yet. We got two more weeks left. I love being out there. It's just you and the wilderness. Nobody else. I'm a loner, and for me it's therapy. I don't have a mental-game coach, except for those guys on bottles and cans, if you get my meanin'.
Q. What are your favorite tournaments? (Taylor Stout)
Hilton Head [The Verizon Heritage]. It's like being home when I go there. It's a similar course to what I grew up with [in Florida]. It makes you hit it to a position. I like playing position golf. But the [tartan plaid] jacket don't go with camouflage, though.
Q. What advice do you have for kids just starting the game? (Jason, Texas)
[Getting good] is all about repetition. Just stand out there on the range repeating what you're doing. Over and over again. It takes a lot of hard work. It's all repetition.
Q. Hey, Boo. I remember you as a kid with lots of long dark hair. Things have changed since then. I played golf on the Milton [High School, Florida] team just before you. Do you ever pinch yourself that you're on the PGA Tour? Also, I was really hoping you'd play Sergio in singles in the [2008] Ryder Cup. Good luck this year! (Mr. T. "Todd" Dorris)
I remember that guy! "Toenails," we called him. He was a senior my freshman year. Yeah, sometimes I pinch myself that I'm out here [playing the Tour]. That's why I go back to the woods, to think and reflect about who I am. On Sunday at the Ryder Cup, I woulda beaten anybody: Sergio, Tiger, anyone. [Boo defeated Oliver Wilson] I felt so good that day, no one was gonna beat me.
Q. Boo, were you nervous at the Ryder Cup?
I was more jacked up than anything. But in a good way, not a nervous way. Why be nervous about the Ryder Cup? We'd lost the last seven of them [Actually, the last three, but who's counting? -CB] So why not go out and play and have fun? That's what I did. I was just in the zone all week, having a good time.
Photos: With Paul Azinger at the 2008 Ryder Cup, by Kohjiro Kinno/SI
