Interview With Jeremy Udovich The Oaks Golf Course

Below is an interview with Jeremy Udovich, PGA Director of Golf at The Oaks Golf Course. He started playing golf at the age of eight. Soon began caddying at Pine Hills C.C. where he worked my way up to the Bag Room at 13 years old. A few years later went to Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits as a Golf Service Attendent and Caddie. His schooling was at Ferris State University and he graduated with a Professional Golf Management Degree. After graduation, he became an Apprentice Professional at Hurstbourne C.C. in Louisville, KY and at Windermere C.C. in Windermere, FL. His first Head Professional Job was at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms. Now he is the Director of Golf Position at The Oaks Golf Course in Madison Wisconsin.

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 started swinging golf clubs in my back yard when I was probably five or six years old. I say I started playing when I was eight years old, which was when my parents gave me my first set of golf clubs. I cannot thank them enough for getting those for me.

I credit a few people for introducing me to the game. My Uncle Bruce Woody who played golf everytime he was in town and provided my cousin with a set of clubs that he let me use would be one. A second would be Izzy and Ray Friemuth who always gave me golf balls when they visited my Grandparents. Unforunately most of those balls ended up with their covers ripped off and the rubberbands strung across our road. Lastly, Dick Patterson who was a neighbor that had the patience and willingness to bring me along on their weekly golf trips and showed me the basics of the short game. He is still the best putter I have ever seen.

What is your current home course?
The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove (Madison), Wisconsin.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Tough question . . . Earning my Class A status with the PGA was a big deal for me. Getting my first Head Professional Job at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms at the age of 30 was meaningful as well. As for playing, having a Hole-In-One and shooting 69 in the same round was pretty fantastic. I was always affraid I would shoot 90 when I had my first ace.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow Play!!!

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
60 Degree Wedge. I enjoy the creativity that can be used with it.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Kohler/Sheboygan Falls, WI

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta National . . . This must be the same answer for everyone that hasn't played it.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
The Dye Course at Colleton River in South Carolina.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
The fact that as an industry we do not mandate what tee boxes players tee from. I feel folks could enjoy the game so much more if they were hitting shorter shots into greens. I am a big fan of the PGA's "Tee It Forward" initiative.

Dream foursome (living)?
My Dad, Nick Woody, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
My Dad, Dick Patterson, and Bruce Woody.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Sinking Long Putt = Lower Score!

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of Life. I figure I have another 40 good years or more to play golf. I am bound to have another Ace. Hopefully many more.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Crack of Dawn, but only when you have an awesome Superintendent that mows the greens before you are out there. Oh, and dew drags the fairways. I realize this is asking an awful lot!

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Fade. I think the best players want to fade the Driver.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage Cart. Must . . . stay . . . hydrated.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand all day. This is a far easier shot. Don't agree, come see me for a lesson.

9) Walking OR riding?
Prefer walking, but usually ride due to time restrictions.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
I have both. Prefer the hybrid however.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Par 3, but just because they are usually prettier.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants. Professionals wear pants!

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Either. Both were and still are amazing.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
I am just not old enough to answer this question.

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Money. I like to grind it out.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run is usually the smarter shot. Flop shots are more fun.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Again, lay up is the smarter shot, but it's always fun to gamble.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
A well planned out round of golf, where I arrive plenty early to warm up and take in the full experience requires just 18 holes for me.