Big Shots

October 30, 2007

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Photo By: Photo by Peter Gregoire

Joe Pesci & Mark WahlbergFor years, Wahlberg pestered Pesci about playing golf together. Trouble was, Wahlberg wasn't a golfer. Now, he's a member at Wilshire County Club and an even better player than the Oscar winner. "I've learned a lot of shots from Joe, especially the short game," says Wahlberg. "I'm down to an 8-handicap now, but somehow I end up paying Joe at the end of every round." Pesci, a dangerous 16 who plays at L.A.-area courses Lakeside, Sherwood, Bel-Air and Valencia, is friends with John Daly and many other top tour pros. "Now I've found someone who can hit it straighter and farther than me," says Pesci. " ... and he's an actor."Joe Pesci & Mark WahlbergFor years, Wahlberg pestered Pesci about playing golf together. Trouble was, Wahlberg wasn't a golfer. Now, he's a member at Wilshire County Club and an even better player than the Oscar winner. "I've learned a lot of shots from Joe, especially the short game," says Wahlberg. "I'm down to an 8-handicap now, but somehow I end up paying Joe at the end of every round." Pesci, a dangerous 16 who plays at L.A.-area courses Lakeside, Sherwood, Bel-Air and Valencia, is friends with John Daly and many other top tour pros. "Now I've found someone who can hit it straighter and farther than me," says Pesci. " ... and he's an actor."

Al Michaels & John MaddenAre you ready for some ... golf? "Monday Night Football" announcers Michaels and Madden carry handicaps of 13.6 and 19.9, respectively.Al Michaels & John MaddenAre you ready for some ... golf? "Monday Night Football" announcers Michaels and Madden carry handicaps of 13.6 and 19.9, respectively.

Rudy Giuliani & Joe TorreWhen they tee it up together--usually at charity events--they can give each other a good match. Torre's a 20-handicapper; Giuliani's a 22. But don't expect them to keep those numbers forever. The Yankee manager is building a home at Kapalua in Hawaii and intends to play a lot of golf when he retires. New York's ex-mayor, who recently attended a Dave Pelz short-game school, has the bug as well. "My putting has really improved!" he says. "You know what? Working on my chipping has helped my drives, too."Rudy Giuliani & Joe TorreWhen they tee it up together--usually at charity events--they can give each other a good match. Torre's a 20-handicapper; Giuliani's a 22. But don't expect them to keep those numbers forever. The Yankee manager is building a home at Kapalua in Hawaii and intends to play a lot of golf when he retires. New York's ex-mayor, who recently attended a Dave Pelz short-game school, has the bug as well. "My putting has really improved!" he says. "You know what? Working on my chipping has helped my drives, too."

Mia Hamm & Brandi ChastainThe two biggest names in women's soccer first played golf together in 1996, as a respite from training. Today the exuberant Olympic gold-medalists play from the middle tees and swing hard; 250-yard drives, accompanied by fist pumps, are not uncommon. Hamm is the better player, scoring in the high 80s, but Chastain isn't far behind. "It's really funny how upset we can get about our golf games," says Chastain. "We're so darn competitive." Adds Hamm: "We expect to be better than we are."Mia Hamm & Brandi ChastainThe two biggest names in women's soccer first played golf together in 1996, as a respite from training. Today the exuberant Olympic gold-medalists play from the middle tees and swing hard; 250-yard drives, accompanied by fist pumps, are not uncommon. Hamm is the better player, scoring in the high 80s, but Chastain isn't far behind. "It's really funny how upset we can get about our golf games," says Chastain. "We're so darn competitive." Adds Hamm: "We expect to be better than we are."

Pete Sampas & Luke WilsonThey play together several times a week, this tandem from sports and Hollywood. Wilson, 33, who starred in "Old School," "Legally Blonde" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," learned the game growing up in Texas and rediscovered it at Bel-Air Country Club, where the pair met. Sampras, with a record 14 Grand Slam tennis titles, can't remember the last time he picked up a racket, but he looked better than "about a 6" while shooting a 74 from the back tees at Los Angeles County Club in August. "I'm 33 and I'm retired," he says. "What else would I be doing?"Pete Sampas & Luke WilsonThey play together several times a week, this tandem from sports and Hollywood. Wilson, 33, who starred in "Old School," "Legally Blonde" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," learned the game growing up in Texas and rediscovered it at Bel-Air Country Club, where the pair met. Sampras, with a record 14 Grand Slam tennis titles, can't remember the last time he picked up a racket, but he looked better than "about a 6" while shooting a 74 from the back tees at Los Angeles County Club in August. "I'm 33 and I'm retired," he says. "What else would I be doing?"

Kevin James & Ray RomanoThe stars of TV's "The King of Queens" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" have become pro-am fixtures.Kevin James & Ray RomanoThe stars of TV's "The King of Queens" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" have become pro-am fixtures.

Darius Rucker & John DalyThey play golf together and play music together: Rucker sang on Daly's CD, "My Life." (Both are keeping their day jobs ... )Darius Rucker & John DalyThey play golf together and play music together: Rucker sang on Daly's CD, "My Life." (Both are keeping their day jobs ... )

George W. Bush & George H.W. BushPresidents 43 and 41 love the game, but they prefer not to dawdle on the course. Their typical 18-hole round takes just over two hours.George W. Bush & George H.W. BushPresidents 43 and 41 love the game, but they prefer not to dawdle on the course. Their typical 18-hole round takes just over two hours.

Bing Crosby & Ray BolgerBolger, who played Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz," was an enthusiastic participant in Der Bingle's annual Pebble Beach clambake.Bing Crosby & Ray BolgerBolger, who played Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz," was an enthusiastic participant in Der Bingle's annual Pebble Beach clambake.

Phil Mickelson & Charles SchwabTwo fellows known for being innovative--Schwab with financial services, Lefty with a lob wedge--are also known to be pals.Phil Mickelson & Charles SchwabTwo fellows known for being innovative--Schwab with financial services, Lefty with a lob wedge--are also known to be pals.

Michael Jordan & Charles Barkley & Tiger WoodsJordan has a 3-handicap. Barkley gets a shot a hole from Tiger--and, as anyone who has seen Charles' herky-jerky swing can attest, he probably needs far more. But they do love the game, and each other's company. Jordan showed up to cheer for Woods and the American side at the Ryder Cup this year, and Barkley is a regular at Woods' annual Tiger Jam fund-raiser. As Sir Charles once asked us: "What other sport can you play with friends for a few bucks, smoke cigars, drink beer, no phones, trash talk and be in the middle of nowhere?"Michael Jordan & Charles Barkley & Tiger WoodsJordan has a 3-handicap. Barkley gets a shot a hole from Tiger--and, as anyone who has seen Charles' herky-jerky swing can attest, he probably needs far more. But they do love the game, and each other's company. Jordan showed up to cheer for Woods and the American side at the Ryder Cup this year, and Barkley is a regular at Woods' annual Tiger Jam fund-raiser. As Sir Charles once asked us: "What other sport can you play with friends for a few bucks, smoke cigars, drink beer, no phones, trash talk and be in the middle of nowhere?"

Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael DouglasDouglas, a 16-handicapper, was dazzled by her beauty and talent. But when he found out Zeta-Jones is an avid golfer who plays to a 20, well, that made her irresistible. As he told one reporter: "When she said, 'I like to play golf, too,' frankly it brought tears to my eyes."Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael DouglasDouglas, a 16-handicapper, was dazzled by her beauty and talent. But when he found out Zeta-Jones is an avid golfer who plays to a 20, well, that made her irresistible. As he told one reporter: "When she said, 'I like to play golf, too,' frankly it brought tears to my eyes."

Photo By: Photo by Peter Gregoire

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