In their offseason, athletes tend to take up other athletic events to fill their time. For many, that event is golf. It’s a sport that isn’t particularly physically demanding, compared to others. Many consider it a relaxing experience.
Tom Brady has taken the hobby to another level. As one of the most competitive athletes that professional sports have seen, that’s not a terribly big surprise.
Back in 2014, Brady played in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with Bill Belichick, tour pro Ricky Barnes, and Korn Ferry Tour competitor James Driscoll for the first three days.
“The first day out he was really sloppy,” Driscoll said about his time playing with Brady. “His swing is decent, so I could tell there was something in there. He played pretty poorly the first day. The second day I was like, ‘Wait a minute, this guy has some game.’ He definitely hit some real quality shots the second day. And then the third day, he went out on the front nine at Pebble Beach and I tell people he shot 33 (three-under par, including an eagle on the par-5 second hole). I am pretty sure he did.
“He basically played nine holes like a tour pro — hitting his drives 300 yards, hitting his seven-iron like 180 (yards) and making putts. He literally played those nine holes like a tour pro. I was like, ‘Oh my God. This guy is incredible.’”
Brady seems to be still playing at least semi-regularly if his social media posts are to be believed. According to the Golf Handicap Information Network, Brady was playing at an 8.1 handicap at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The course was right around the corner from his old home when the quarterback played in New England.
Now, Brady will partner up with Phil Mickelson to take on Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods in “The Match: Champions for Charity” at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida.
How Brady will fare in the competition is anyone’s guess, but Driscoll tends to think the 42-year-old will hold his own.
“If he’s got some rounds under his belt and he can keep the ball in play, the course — I don’t know what tees they are going to play — but he has a chance to put up a good number there,” he said. “The greens could be a little bit awkwardly fast. I have a feeling they are going to be fast and that could be a challenge like it would be for anybody. But, I could see him putting together a number there.”
The newest Buccaneers quarterback has been known to step up when the lights are brightest. Now, with the world watching him perform in a sport that’s not his domain, Brady will have a chance to silence doubters once again, and everyone knows he’ll relish that opportunity.
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