Interview With Rick Hileman, Director of Golf Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Below is an interview with Rick Hileman the Director of Golf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This is his 20th year in the golf industry and hist 14th year as a PGA Member. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
I was about six and it was my Dad. We belonged to a local nine-hole country club. I believe I was 12 or 13 the summer and I spent every day at the course. Dropped off in the morning, picked up at night. The ultimate golf shop rat, but it's also the summer. I got hooked and lowered my handicap from a 22 to a 10.

What is your current home course?
We have four championship courses at Sandestin: The Links, Baytowne, Raven and Burnt Pine.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
PGA Membership in 1998. I say this because I haven't had a hole-in-one!

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Iron covers. My father has some and it drives me crazy. I purposely steal one from him every time we play.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
~No Comment

What is your favorite golf destination?
Sandestin, of course. Four championship courses, one location with night life and plenty to offer everyone. If we were asking for the less obvious answer I would have to say Pinehurst in the U.S. and Scotland overseas.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta National and Old Head in Ireland

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Pinehurst No. 2 or Old Course in St. Andrews

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Fourteen club rule. Make it a Tour rule and allow non-touring pros and amateurs to use as many as they want. And, install satellite radios in all golf cars, no tee times before noon and complimentary Budweiser. Okay, the last may have been a stretch.

Dream foursome (living)?
Mike Schmidt, George Bush #41, Paula Creamer, myself

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Ben Hogan, My Grandfather, Bob Hope, myself

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Putt

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of my life

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight? Twilight

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power fade

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house? Beverage Cart

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bushes

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Really, what golfer eats a wrap? Hot dog.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
I'm 41 and overweight! Riding. Plus, there's nowhere to put your beer when you are walking.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Three-iron because I can still hit and don't need the cheater club.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Five

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Was ALWAYS pants. Then moved to Florida. Definitely shorts.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Hunk'a hunk'a. Elvis baby!

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Money, every time. Even if it's just a dollar for pride.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble! I didn't come all this way to lay up!

18) 18 holes OR 36?
Fourteen, actually. I think a 14-hole course would be perfect. I plan to build one someday.