On the Green

It was good news, hearing that Brandt Snedeker received so much support from galleries at the Verizon Heritage this past weekend. People evidently connected with the fact that he had poured out his heart on the course at Augusta National, and poured it out some more in the news conference afterward.

Snedeker was in the final group with champion Trevor Immelman and when he eagled the par-5 second hole, it sure looked like Snedeker had a real shot to win the Masters. But he foundered, like just about everyone else. It all caught up with him afterward, when he was in the press building.

With just about every question, he seemed like he was going to choke up. I must admit to this: The Augusta member who was hosting that news conference said, "We have time for two more questions for Brandt." So I was the one who asked Snedeker just what the emotion was that was overwhelming him: was he proud, disappointed, drained? To his credit, he said "I don't have a clue." He pointed out that he had been laughing outsided. Then he just started crying, at which time the host just ended the news conference. And I took some heat from the other writers about "knowing how to kill a news conference."

Personally, I thought it was remarkably authentic and compelling on Snedeker's part. I guess he realized how close he was but that it just wasn't his time. His time is coming.

PGA Tour rookie Marc Turnesa, who grew up in Rockville Centre, had another good showing and a decent paycheck at the Verizon Heritage. He did start Sunday in a tie for 18th, and was on track for his first top 20 finish. But he still finished in a tie for 23rd at 4 under par and made $47,575.

Boo Weekley says he doesn't feel cheated by not getting the cheers most golfers do, even when he wins a tournament as he did yesterday--the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head. It is an odd sound, though, on the golf course, mostly the home of gentiility: "Booooo."

Even last week at the Masters, eventual champion Trevor Immelman, who played the first two rounds with Weekley, said he wondered how it felt to get booed all the time. In any event, Immelman enjoyed playing with Boo (and it obviously didn't hurt him Immelman). Most everybody enjoys playing with Weekley or watching him play.

He is a character in a game that can use them. Granted, nothing can make up for the absence of Tiger Woods, out after knee surgery for four to six weeks. But he does help. It's a kick to hear a guy admit "I don' t want to do nothing but hunt and fish." It's cool to think of a real average person out there, winning in a sport that has had an elitist label. Here's a regular guy, easy talkin' and chewin' tobacco.

He can be an inspiration. "I hope it's mostly the kids. That's who you want to touch anyway is the kids. And I hope they don't chew," he said yesterday in his champion's news conference.

There are people who think Weekley isn't really as much of a Gomer Pyle-in-spikes. They say he kind of turns it on in the press room. But fellow pro Heath Slocum, who grew up with him and remains one of his closest friends, says Boo is genuine. An outstanding profile in Sports Illustrated last week quoted people saying that with Weekley, "What you see is what you get." But the author added that Weekley determines what you see.

Well, we saw him start the past week by playing the pro-am with his mom, and finish the week by autographing a golf cart that will be auctioned for charity. Pretty dern good.