Interview With Tony Tinetti, Bonnie Brook Golf Course

Below is an interview with Tony Tinetti, Head Golf Professional and Manager of Golf Operations for the Waukegan Park District and Bonnie Brook Golf Course. Tony has been in the golf industry for over 17 years, with as the Director of Instruction at Currie Golf Course in Midland Michigan. Assistants jobs at Chalet Hills, Mt. Prospect, Lake Bluff. and Royal Melbourne CC.

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?
At age 9, a mother of a friend who golfed took us out to Evanston Community Golf Course, now named Frank Govern Memorial. I can destinctly remember the rush I got that day when I hit a good shot, ended up shooting 114 and I still have the card in a box somewhere. After that I kept bothering my friends mom to take us again, she must have thought I was a hugh pest.

What is your current home course?
Bonnie Brook in Waukegan where I am the Head Professional.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
I actually have 2. The first is growing a junior lesson program from 38 students a season to over 220 at Currie in Michigan. The second is passing the PAT for the PGA, that was real pressure, playing for your future career.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course? SLOW PLAY. I hate it when a higher handicapped golfer uses that as an excuse to play slow. It is not how many times you hit it that makes you a slow golfer, it is what you do in between shots that makes you slow.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
The Putter, which is a bit funny because I will switch putters 2-3 times a year, but to a putter I used before. I have always been a pretty good putter and that can make up for a bunch of mistakes tee to green.

What is your favorite golf destination?
I absolutely love the Scottsdale area in AZ. In fact my wife and I are planning to retire there someday, and by retire I mean I will get a job there and she can play golf.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta or Pebble Beach is what everyone would say. Other than those I would like to play Murfield Village or Bay Hill for obvious reasons.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Currie Golf Course in Michigan where I worked the first 9 years I was in the golf business. Solid golf course but more so it would be nice to get back there and see all the golfers I used to know. With my crazy schedule, I have not played there since 2006.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I think that when you hit a ball in the fairway and it ends up in a divot, you should be allowed a free drop. Someone explain to me how that is different than an area that is white lined because of bad turf. Also, Jack Nicklaus said this should be changed, and if it is ok with him, well.......

Dream foursome (living)?
Me, Luke Donald, David Feherty, Cal Ripken.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Me, Payne Stewart, Walter Payton, and Ben Hogan.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

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

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

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

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

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage Cart

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom, but bushes will work too.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot Dog, for gods sakes I'm an American.

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

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking, can't do much anymore, bad feet.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
3 iron

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 5

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts. BTW check out playing lessons on the Golf Channel, all the Tour pros wear shorts.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Nicklaus, Palmer, Nicklaus, no Palmer....oh I'm dizzy.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
FUN

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

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble, depending on situation.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
36