Stop everything and listen to this awesome Lee Trevino interview
A few years ago, I attended a Gary Player golf event with an incredible cast of golf luminaries, but one person stood out. That would be Lee Trevino, a walking, talking golf encyclopedia who when approached on the driving range immediately started given me lesson on ball-striking.
Sadly, I don't remember all the details (the gist was to feel like you're turning a steering wheel in the direction you want to hit your shot) but I remember him being in complete control of the golf ball. More so, I'll never forget how generous he was with his time and the "Merry Mex's" famed bubbly personality. The latter was on full display once again this weekend at the PNC Championship as Trevino finished T-16 in the field of 20 two-person teams (Congrats to the Kuchars on the big win) after a Sunday (scramble) 62 that included a holed wedge for eagle by the six-time major champ. But it was what the 86-year-old said in his post-round interview that really stole the show.
Have a look and listen to this two-minute clip in which Lee packs in perspective, knowledge and love of the game like no one else can. Seriously, enjoy.
How good is that? What a legend.
Trevino talks about how golf changed his life after coming from a cotton farm and "straightened out" by some time in the marine corps, and how thankful he is for the game.
"And that's why I eat it, I sleep it, I walk it, I talk it," Trevino explains. "And I would live on a driving range today. If you put a bed and a tent on a driving range, I would sleep there."
Then Lee gave a thoughtful response to why he tries to promote the game—even to strangers he meets like me. But, of course, he drops some vintage Trevino humor at the end.
"The reason I do this and the reason that I promote it and I play it like I do now is because the Lord for some reason gave me a tremendous amount of talent," Trevino said. "And I'm going to meet him pretty soon, and I damn sure don't want him to be disappointed because you know why? If he's disappointed, I'm probably going to have to caddie for Arnie."
Classic. Let's hope it's not too soon, because this guy is a national treasure.