Interview With Ben McCormick Head Professional/Director of Golf Operations Tanglewood Golf Course

Below is an interview with Ben McCormick, the Head Professional/Director of Golf Operations at Tanglewood Golf Course. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
I graduated from the Golf Academy of America, Myrtle Beach, SC campus, with a degree in Golf Course Management. I've played in numerous tournaments as an amateur on The Pepsi Tour in Kentucky. I'm new to being a golf professional, but I have great insight on the game of golf. I have certifications in Tournament Operations, Golf Club Fitting and Repair. I am also a Grip Fitting Specialist through Winn Grips, and have a certification through KBS Shafts as a custom shaft fitter and building.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
I started playing golf my freshman year of high school on the golf team at the age of 14. I've been playing for 8 years now. My father is due all the credit for introducing me to the game of golf. My fondest memory of playing with my dad growing up was holing out from 136 yards for birdie on my third time out playing golf. I've been hooked ever since.

What is your current home course?
Tanglewood Golf Course

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Shooting a bogey free round of 68 while going to school in Myrtle Beach, SC.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Course etiquette, and when people don't fix ball marks on the putting green.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
My driver. I hit it long and rarely miss fairways with it.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Myrtle Beach. It's the golf mecca of the United States.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta, hands down.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
The Dye Course at Barefoot Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. It's the most challenging course I've played to date.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I wouldn't change anything except maybe the technology of clubs and golf balls. Golf clubs and golf balls of today's era are going further and further, which has rendered some of the great courses in the world less challenging simply due to being able to drive it over bunkers that were previously in play, and stopping the ball on greens with tough pin locations.

Dream foursome (living)?
Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Myself.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Walter Hagen, and Myself.

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 my life.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Crack of dawn. It leaves more time if you want to play more!

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

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Beverage cart.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Wrap.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Being in sand. I'm great out of the bunker.

9) Walking OR riding?
I usually ride, but I do like to get out and stretch my legs by walking.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Traditional 3 iron. I love hitting long irons.

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

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Palmer.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles.

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
I enjoy them both.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run. It's way more consistent.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Depends on the hole, but usually gamble. I've been known to have some "Tin Cup" moments from time to time.

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 holes.