—Former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal was a notoriously poor free throw shooter (52%), but that’s still better than his golf game. Shaq whiffed twice off the first tee in Wednesday’s pro-am before finally connecting on a 200-yard drive on his third attempt. Shaq followed the drive with some Chi Chi Rodriguez sword play.
—NBA legend Jerry West was on hand as Shaq and Greenbrier owner Jim Justice started their round. It was West who brought Shaq and Kobe Bryant to the Lakers when he was the team’s general manager. The Lakers won three straight championships (2000-2002) with the two all-stars. West now has a home at the Greenbrier and the steakhouse at the Greenbrier, Prime 44 West, contains some of his memorabilia.
—West was accompanied by his son and former Mountaineer basketball player Jonnie. He currently works with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors as associate general manager of the Warriors’ development league team.
—You expect some bad golf in the pro-am. Many of the participants are just occasional golfers, plus they’re playing on a course that’s prepared for the PGA Tour. Saints coach Sean Peyton’s first three shots on No. 18 all ended in the same bunker before he decided to pick up. Former Marshall coach Bob Pruett’s second shot on No. 1 narrowly missed Charleston Daily Mail photographer Bob Wojcieszak.
—PGA Tour meteorologist Stewart Williams is worried about rain this week at the Greenbrier Classic. Williams says a weak cold front will impact the weather the next few days, contributing to a chance of thundershowers each day. Williams says right now it looks like the best weather day will be Sunday.
—One of the long-time officials on the PGA Tour is Slugger White. The West Virginia native and the Tour’s vice president of rules and competitions is not at every Tour event, but he always makes the Greenbrier stop. White now makes his home in Florida, but the Beckley native recently bought some property at nearby Glade Springs Resort because he said he wanted to own a piece of home.
—White and others are raving about the condition of the Old White course. White says it’s in excellent shape and that sentiment was echoed by Tiger Woods after playing his pro-am round Wednesday. “The golf course… is in great shape,” Woods said. “It’s a little faster than last time we played.” This is Woods second time in the Classic. Woods shot 71 and 69 in 2012 and missed the cut.
—Greenbrier pro-emeritus Lee Trevino says Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer ever. Nicklaus has won 18 majors, more than anyone else. Tiger Woods is second with 14. However, Trevino, who competed against Nicklaus, points out that Nicklaus finished second in 19 majors, compared with six for Woods.
—Tiger Woods is with today’s morning flight on the opening day of the Greenbrier Classic, starting on the back nine at 8:10 a.m. Bubba Watson and defending Classic champion Angel Cabrera begin this afternoon on the front nine. Watson’s tee time is 1 p.m., while Cabrera is in the very next group.
—Complete coverage of the Greenbrier Classic can be found at wvmetronews.com.