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Courtesy of Greg Hardwig
Naples Daily News
NAPLES -- Chris DiMarco, easily the most passionate Florida Gators fan on the PGA Tour, admitted he was humbled by last week's SEC Championship Game, which the Gators lost to Alabama, 32-13.
 DiMarco is competing in his third consecutive Shootout, and his fourth overall. |
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"It was a shock," DiMarco said. "We were walking into the game and easily felt like we could lose the game, as much as we could win the game. We felt like we could do what they did to us."
DiMarco said he thought suspended defensive end Carlos Dunlap would have made a difference, but not enough of one to change the outcome of the game. The Crimson Tide will play Texas for the title in Pasadena, Calif., next month.
"I think they were that good," he said. "Alabama's really, really good this year. Let's hope they bring (the national title) home for the SEC."
The loss also was shocking considering losing hasn't been part of the Gators the past few years, with two national championships, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who is idolized everywhere, and a 22-game winning streak that ended against Alabama. Not to mention back-to-back men's basketball national titles.
"Gator Nation was pretty spoiled, there's no doubt about it," said DiMarco, who donned Tim Tebow jerseys with playing partner and fellow Gator Camilo Villegas at the 2007 Shootout. "We certainly got accustomed to winning ballgames whether they were close or whether they were blowouts, and to kind of get our brains beaten in, it was quite humbling.
"You know what, it's one out of 22 games we lost, and if we can do that every 22, I'm OK with that."
Kuchar Making A Racquet
 Kuchar ended his season strong with a win at Turning Stone Resort Championship and 24th place on the PGA Tour money list. |
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Matt Kuchar was back in the winner's circle this year, and is back at The Franklin Templeton Shootout for the first time since 2003.
The tournament is easy for him to remember; after receiving some honeymoon tips from Greg Norman before Kuchar and his wife Sybi headed on a month-long trek to Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Norman later called Kuchar after Nick Faldo withdrew and asked if he wanted to play in the Shootout. He accepted and the two arrived in Fort Myers from a 15-hour flight out of New Zealand just in time for the pro-am.
This year, Kuchar comes in with a tournament title under his belt, finishing 24th on the PGA Tour money list. And a rekindled love for the game of tennis, which he played at a high level as a youngster before choosing golf.
In October, the Kuchars played in the USTA National Husband/Wife Doubles Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach. The Kuchars lost their first match, then came back and won the consolation title.
"We'd like to make it an annual thing," said Kuchar, who was runner-up with brother-in-law Drew Parker in the USTA National Men's Grass Court Doubles Championship in Newport in 2003.
Kuchar does have ties to Southwest Florida. He won the Terra Cotta Invitational in 1997 at Naples National Golf Club, beating Sergio Garcia in the semifinals, and his parents used to spend their winters in Fort Myers.
Who's In The Booth? The Golf Channel will have coverage today from 3-6 p.m., with Kelly Tilghman and Brandel Chamblee in the booth, and Inga Hammond conducting interviews. NBC takes over Saturday and Sunday. Dan Hicks and Gary Koch will be in the booth on No. 18, with Roger Maltbie, Bob Murphy, Dottie Pepper and Jimmy Roberts.
Pro-am Results
Fort Myers' George McNeill nearly had his team win the pro-am. McNeill and the amateur team of Shawn Anderson, Dale Champion, Neil Rohrer and Andy D'Jamoos finished second with a two-day score of 108.
The amateurs played with Chad Campbell on Wednesday and came into the day tied for the lead.
J.B. Holmes and amateurs Bob Ash, Bob Goosman, Gene Nagel and Dave Schweitzer won with a 107 total. The amateurs played with Chris DiMarco on Wednesday.
The team featuring ESPN's Chris Berman didn't have a good day. After coming in tied for the lead, the team finished with a 115, well behind the leaders, with pro Graeme McDowell.
Teams played best ball on Thursday, after playing a shamble on Wednesday. Amateur teams played with different tour pros each day.
Still Time To Sign Up For 5K
The Franklin Templeton Shootout Charities are hosting a 5k race at Tiburón on Saturday morning, starting at 7:15 a.m. Runners can register up until 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Tournament founder and host Greg Norman said he'll be there for the race start. Participants will compete on a self-contained course within the Tiburón Golf Club community.
Proceeds from the race directly benefit CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, the Shootout's primary charitable beneficiary.
Advance registration is $25 and includes a daily grounds ticket. Race-day registration is $30, and children 18-and-under are $10.
Complimentary parking will be located at the Shootout's general spectator lot at the intersection of Airport-Pulling and Orange Blossom Road. Shuttles will be provided to event location. Bag/personal item check will be available on site.
Packet pickup is at Naples On the Run, 2116 Tamiami Trail North, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday or at 6 a.m. on race day at the race site.
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