North Honored To Be Playing

By Dave Shedloski

Andy North won the ING Par-3 Shootout last month in Gaylord, Mich., defeating fellow Champions Tour player Gary McCord and PGA Tour players Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples. His haul for the two-day event was $350,000, which dwarfed his best earnings year on the regular tour -- $212,268 in 1985, the year he won his second U.S. Open.

"It was a great two days. It was nice," said North last week at the Senior British Open. "I had a chance to practice a little bit for a week before that. (But) it wasn't much of anything."

North, 55, is an old-school professional who knows that money might talk, but trophies echo through the ages. He might have only won three times in his career, but two of those are national championships, in '85 at Oakland Hills and in '78 at Cherry Hills. And, though he might be getting over the hill, playing in such tournaments still mean the most to the Wisconsin native, which is why this week's U.S. Senior Open represents a special opportunity.

A golf analyst for ABC Sports and ESPN, North received a second special exemption into the Senior Open at NCR Country Club in the Dayton, Ohio, suburb of Kettering. The U.S. Golf Association has granted 12 such exemptions, including two to former PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman. North received his first in 2001.

"I'm excited about playing. It's the most important Champion's Tour event we have," said North, whose best finish in three starts in the U.S. Senior Open is a tie for eighth in 2003. "It's always an honor when you are invited to play in a U.S. Open."

North hasn't had many chances to compete in major tournaments or a Sunday four-ball at home. His regular tour career was marred by a series of physical impediments and the health challenges have continued since he turned 50. Two years ago he underwent back surgery that limited him to three events in 2004. His best career finish on the Champions Tour is runner-up at the 2001 Emerald Coast Classic.

His start at NCR will be just his fifth this year.

"I'm just trying to play where I can," said North, who finished 79^th at the Senior British Open in Aberdeen, Scotland, and also made the cut at the Senior PGA Championship, finishing in a tie for 54^th at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa.

"I think it's a good course … it's a wonderful golf course. That's what's going to be a lot of fun to play a really good golf course," said North. "I think the guys will enjoy it. I think they can make it about as difficult as they want to. And it's going to be hot. It will be fun to see what we can do."

North has had a lot of fun when he does tee it up. In addition to his victory at the Par-3 Shootout, he teamed in April with Tom Watson, who is the newly crowned Senior British Open champion, to win the Raphael Division of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

"I always enjoy playing when I am able to play," said North earlier this year. "I never really think about what (tournaments) I'm not in. I just try to go out and do the best I can when I do play and not try to have too many expectations. I've always known this: when I feel pretty good I'm a decent player."

Dave Shedloski is a free-lance writer whose work has appeared previously on www.ussenioropen.com.