1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,131 (female announcer) This is a production of WKNO-Memphis. 2 00:00:03,131 --> 00:00:06,464 Production funding for "Sports Files" is made possible in part 3 00:00:06,464 --> 00:00:12,464 by.. 4 00:00:14,798 --> 00:00:17,531 My guest today on "Sports Files" is world renowned angler, 5 00:00:17,531 --> 00:00:20,731 outdoorsman and Television host Bill Dance. 6 00:00:20,731 --> 00:00:37,864 ♪♪♪ 7 00:00:37,864 --> 00:00:41,098 We often toss around the term "legend" as if it's commonplace. 8 00:00:41,098 --> 00:00:42,798 But in reality, legendary status, 9 00:00:42,798 --> 00:00:45,731 in any walk of life, is not easily attainable. 10 00:00:45,731 --> 00:00:48,564 Earlier this summer on "Sports Files" I was joined by a true 11 00:00:48,564 --> 00:00:50,798 coaching legend in Gene Stallings. 12 00:00:50,798 --> 00:00:52,931 And you won't get much of an argument from anyone. 13 00:00:52,931 --> 00:00:55,131 Today I'm joined by a true legend of the outdoors, 14 00:00:55,131 --> 00:00:56,131 Bill Dance. 15 00:00:56,131 --> 00:00:59,231 In fact, Dance is perhaps the most recognizable name and face 16 00:00:59,231 --> 00:01:00,731 in the industry. 17 00:01:00,731 --> 00:01:03,464 Time to stroll down memory lane and reel in the big one with the 18 00:01:03,464 --> 00:01:06,531 man who made the U-T baseball cap fashionable, 19 00:01:06,531 --> 00:01:09,264 Bill Dance, next on "Sports Files". 20 00:01:09,264 --> 00:01:17,331 ♪♪♪ 21 00:01:17,331 --> 00:01:17,731 Well Bill, thank you so much for joining us. 22 00:01:17,731 --> 00:01:19,398 Good to be here. 23 00:01:19,398 --> 00:01:20,398 We appreciate ya. 24 00:01:20,398 --> 00:01:22,931 When you were a youngster and you're starting to fish and 25 00:01:22,931 --> 00:01:25,231 you're going the opposite way of your father, 26 00:01:25,231 --> 00:01:27,464 grandfather and great-grandfather who were all 27 00:01:27,464 --> 00:01:31,531 doctors, did you ever think you'd make a career out of it? 28 00:01:31,531 --> 00:01:36,598 You know I always dreamed of wanting to make a career in 29 00:01:36,598 --> 00:01:39,231 fishing because I loved the sport so much. 30 00:01:39,231 --> 00:01:42,864 But I never dreamed it would become a reality. 31 00:01:42,864 --> 00:01:44,164 I never did. 32 00:01:44,164 --> 00:01:46,764 But you know my wife always told me, 33 00:01:46,764 --> 00:01:49,798 if you set your mind to something and set goals and work 34 00:01:49,798 --> 00:01:52,464 toward those goals, it's amazing what you can accomplish. 35 00:01:52,464 --> 00:01:54,098 You know I had.. 36 00:01:54,098 --> 00:01:59,164 I had all intentions in the world to become a doctor 37 00:01:59,164 --> 00:02:02,098 because, you know, my father was a doctor. 38 00:02:02,098 --> 00:02:03,498 My granddaddy, my great-granddaddy, 39 00:02:03,498 --> 00:02:04,531 for five generations. 40 00:02:04,531 --> 00:02:05,964 Right down the line. 41 00:02:05,964 --> 00:02:06,998 Yeah, they were. 42 00:02:06,998 --> 00:02:09,998 But I came along and I changed diretions. 43 00:02:09,998 --> 00:02:14,531 And I saw a real bad wreck in a motorcycle wreck. 44 00:02:14,531 --> 00:02:15,831 Just about in that curve of life. 45 00:02:15,831 --> 00:02:22,098 And I looked at it and I said, "I can not do this." 46 00:02:22,098 --> 00:02:26,564 And my parents didn't persuade me either way. 47 00:02:26,564 --> 00:02:31,364 And I'm kind of glad that I went the direction I did. 48 00:02:31,364 --> 00:02:34,531 So you start fishing and you start competing in things. 49 00:02:34,531 --> 00:02:38,698 You eventually get your first show in the late '60s here in 50 00:02:38,698 --> 00:02:39,698 Memphis. 51 00:02:39,698 --> 00:02:44,298 What was that moment that you realized you've gone from just a 52 00:02:44,298 --> 00:02:48,731 competitive angler to now almost an icon? 53 00:02:48,731 --> 00:02:51,098 And of course you are but when was that moment when you knew 54 00:02:51,098 --> 00:02:52,698 that, "People are watching me. 55 00:02:52,698 --> 00:02:54,664 "They care what I'm doing." 56 00:02:54,664 --> 00:02:57,331 Well you know every year, you know, 57 00:02:57,331 --> 00:02:59,164 it just seemed to get bigger and bigger. 58 00:02:59,164 --> 00:03:01,364 When one door closed, another one would open. 59 00:03:01,364 --> 00:03:05,764 I never dreamed that it would get as big as it's actually 60 00:03:05,764 --> 00:03:06,764 gotten. 61 00:03:06,764 --> 00:03:07,764 It's.. 62 00:03:07,764 --> 00:03:12,198 You know you're only as good as the people you work with. 63 00:03:12,198 --> 00:03:15,364 And I've been very, very blessed over the years. 64 00:03:15,364 --> 00:03:17,031 We've been doing this 46 years. 65 00:03:17,031 --> 00:03:21,198 And it's just grown and grown and grown, 66 00:03:21,198 --> 00:03:22,198 literally. 67 00:03:22,198 --> 00:03:23,198 I mean it really has. 68 00:03:23,198 --> 00:03:25,631 Besides all the people that help you out behing the scenes and 69 00:03:25,631 --> 00:03:26,631 you're right. 70 00:03:26,631 --> 00:03:29,364 It takes a lot of people to put on these shows. 71 00:03:29,364 --> 00:03:32,131 But what would you say individually your key to success 72 00:03:32,131 --> 00:03:34,398 was as an angler, as a fisherman. 73 00:03:34,398 --> 00:03:35,398 Just being a very good.. 74 00:03:35,398 --> 00:03:37,464 And then also as a businessman. 75 00:03:37,464 --> 00:03:41,098 Well you know the fishing tournaments that came along back 76 00:03:41,098 --> 00:03:42,098 in the late '60s. 77 00:03:42,098 --> 00:03:46,098 And that's what really kickstarted Bill Dance's career. 78 00:03:46,098 --> 00:03:51,531 I was extremely lucky back in those days. 79 00:03:51,531 --> 00:03:54,531 I did extremely well in those tournaments in the early days. 80 00:03:54,531 --> 00:03:57,531 And I always dreamed of going to work for a national lure 81 00:03:57,531 --> 00:03:58,731 manufacturer. 82 00:03:58,731 --> 00:04:04,631 And I had, in the late '60s, I competed in a few of national 83 00:04:04,631 --> 00:04:05,631 bass tournaments. 84 00:04:05,631 --> 00:04:12,398 And as luck would have it, the first three I competed in, 85 00:04:12,398 --> 00:04:15,098 I finished second in the first three. 86 00:04:15,098 --> 00:04:19,131 And then I went on the following year. 87 00:04:19,131 --> 00:04:23,464 I went ot Smith Lake in Alabama and I won it. 88 00:04:23,464 --> 00:04:26,231 Then I went to Ross-Barnett down in Jackson, 89 00:04:26,231 --> 00:04:27,598 Mississippi and I won it. 90 00:04:27,598 --> 00:04:30,564 And then I went to Rayburn, Texas and I won it. 91 00:04:30,564 --> 00:04:31,564 So I won. 92 00:04:31,564 --> 00:04:34,264 I had three seconds and then in came in boom-boom-boom with 93 00:04:34,264 --> 00:04:35,664 three firsts. 94 00:04:35,664 --> 00:04:39,131 And I had a tremendous amount of support. 95 00:04:39,131 --> 00:04:42,498 And I had three phone calls with them in the next two weeks from 96 00:04:42,498 --> 00:04:45,031 three national lure manufactureres -- One in 97 00:04:45,031 --> 00:04:49,331 Florida, one in Texas and one of the oldest lure manufacturers 98 00:04:49,331 --> 00:04:53,598 called Head and Tackle Company, the company that made a lot of 99 00:04:53,598 --> 00:04:56,431 the old standard baits, the lucky 13. 100 00:04:56,431 --> 00:04:59,164 Just old-timey baits. 101 00:04:59,164 --> 00:05:02,698 And one of the companies in Texas, 102 00:05:02,698 --> 00:05:06,131 the originator of the plastic worm company that a lot of 103 00:05:06,131 --> 00:05:07,831 people probably don't remember. 104 00:05:07,831 --> 00:05:09,098 A lot of the old timers remember. 105 00:05:09,098 --> 00:05:10,398 But plastic. 106 00:05:10,398 --> 00:05:12,531 A company called Creme Lure Comapany. 107 00:05:12,531 --> 00:05:14,898 Nick Creme was the originator of the plastic worm. 108 00:05:14,898 --> 00:05:18,264 And 50% of the fish I was watching back in those days was 109 00:05:18,264 --> 00:05:20,331 probably on the plastic worm. 110 00:05:20,331 --> 00:05:23,598 And Nick and Cosma Creme invited Diane and I to come to Tyler, 111 00:05:23,598 --> 00:05:26,831 Texas. 112 00:05:26,831 --> 00:05:28,064 And we went down and spent the weekend with them. 113 00:05:28,064 --> 00:05:30,431 And I accepted a job to go to work. 114 00:05:30,431 --> 00:05:35,498 He offered me a company vehicle, double my salary. 115 00:05:35,498 --> 00:05:38,931 And oh, it was just a dream come true. 116 00:05:38,931 --> 00:05:41,731 Yeah, you've already accomplished your dream there. 117 00:05:41,731 --> 00:05:44,531 That was just the start of it. 118 00:05:44,531 --> 00:05:47,031 Yeah, it was just absolutely unbelievable. 119 00:05:47,031 --> 00:05:53,564 So and he wanted me to fish and take key buyers out and show 120 00:05:53,564 --> 00:05:56,764 them how to use his products. 121 00:05:56,764 --> 00:06:00,298 And to come to Rayburn, Dakota to lead a bin, 122 00:06:00,298 --> 00:06:05,164 stay down there a week at a time and show his buyers how to rig 123 00:06:05,164 --> 00:06:06,164 worms. 124 00:06:06,164 --> 00:06:09,731 And they came out with these worm kits and Texas rig kits and 125 00:06:09,731 --> 00:06:12,964 packages and fish with sports writers then to continue fishing 126 00:06:12,964 --> 00:06:13,964 in tournaments. 127 00:06:13,964 --> 00:06:15,898 You got the best of both worlds. 128 00:06:15,898 --> 00:06:16,898 Absolutely. 129 00:06:16,898 --> 00:06:18,498 And then the sport started to explode. 130 00:06:18,498 --> 00:06:19,498 Right. 131 00:06:19,498 --> 00:06:21,098 And then I was fishing, you know. 132 00:06:21,098 --> 00:06:23,998 And then he was putting his products in stores. 133 00:06:23,998 --> 00:06:27,564 I was doing store promotions and seminars and teaching people how 134 00:06:27,564 --> 00:06:28,864 to use their products. 135 00:06:28,864 --> 00:06:30,164 I got to thinking. 136 00:06:30,164 --> 00:06:33,764 I said, "You know if I can do this for him, 137 00:06:33,764 --> 00:06:35,698 I can do it for myself." 138 00:06:35,698 --> 00:06:36,998 And then we, uh.. 139 00:06:36,998 --> 00:06:40,331 Is that when the idea came for the show? 140 00:06:40,331 --> 00:06:42,664 Well it was a little bit before then. 141 00:06:42,664 --> 00:06:49,064 And then my buddy and I started a company called Striking Lure 142 00:06:49,064 --> 00:06:50,064 Company. 143 00:06:50,064 --> 00:06:54,431 And this was back in the late '60s. 144 00:06:54,431 --> 00:06:56,898 And tried that for a short period of time and it just 145 00:06:56,898 --> 00:06:59,531 didn't really pan out with.. 146 00:06:59,531 --> 00:07:03,098 I was fishing tournaments and wasn't really devoting the time 147 00:07:03,098 --> 00:07:05,831 to it as much as I could have. 148 00:07:05,831 --> 00:07:08,198 And finally fishing with the writers, 149 00:07:08,198 --> 00:07:10,464 fishing with the buyers, fishing tournaments, 150 00:07:10,464 --> 00:07:13,831 getting a lot of publicity and everything, 151 00:07:13,831 --> 00:07:16,331 And he was trying to run the business and it was kind of 152 00:07:16,331 --> 00:07:17,298 lop-sided. 153 00:07:17,298 --> 00:07:24,731 And finally I just said, "Look, we tried it for a year or so." 154 00:07:24,731 --> 00:07:27,398 And just like I said, it didn't pan out too good. 155 00:07:27,398 --> 00:07:30,564 So anyway I had a call from another major lure company. 156 00:07:30,564 --> 00:07:33,898 And he said, "Look, we want you to come to work for us." 157 00:07:33,898 --> 00:07:37,231 And I told my buddy with the lure company with Striking.. 158 00:07:37,231 --> 00:07:40,731 I said, "Look, you just take it and go with it." 159 00:07:40,731 --> 00:07:41,731 You're moving on. 160 00:07:41,731 --> 00:07:43,198 I'm moving on. 161 00:07:43,198 --> 00:07:45,364 And he did extrmely well with it. 162 00:07:45,364 --> 00:07:46,364 Oh, good. 163 00:07:46,364 --> 00:07:47,564 And I moved on. 164 00:07:47,564 --> 00:07:50,331 We started a local TV show right after that. 165 00:07:50,331 --> 00:07:53,298 Well let's jump ahead because there's so much to get in to. 166 00:07:53,298 --> 00:07:59,131 Foir those people who know Bill Dance Outdoors but maybe don't 167 00:07:59,131 --> 00:08:00,331 know about a new show. 168 00:08:00,331 --> 00:08:03,098 You're involved in a number of shows and a new one coming on 169 00:08:03,098 --> 00:08:04,098 Discovery. 170 00:08:04,098 --> 00:08:06,064 Tell everybody where they can find you in the shows that you 171 00:08:06,064 --> 00:08:07,298 do in a year. 172 00:08:07,298 --> 00:08:09,031 Well we run year-round. 173 00:08:09,031 --> 00:08:13,198 We do our freshwater series on N-B-C Sports, 174 00:08:13,198 --> 00:08:15,798 You can find us weekdays. 175 00:08:15,798 --> 00:08:20,964 You can find us on the weekend on N-B-C Sports. 176 00:08:20,964 --> 00:08:24,764 And our saltwater series, we're on through the week and we're on 177 00:08:24,764 --> 00:08:26,964 the weekend on the Outdoor Channel. 178 00:08:26,964 --> 00:08:31,464 And starting late December in the first of the year, 179 00:08:31,464 --> 00:08:34,731 we'll be on Destination America which is one of Discovery 180 00:08:34,731 --> 00:08:35,731 Channels. 181 00:08:35,731 --> 00:08:39,298 And so we'll be running I don't know how many times. 182 00:08:39,298 --> 00:08:44,698 We run on that network about three times a week and then four 183 00:08:44,698 --> 00:08:49,298 or five times a week on N-B-C Sports and three times a week on 184 00:08:49,298 --> 00:08:50,298 the Outdoor Channel. 185 00:08:50,298 --> 00:08:51,598 So it keeps us.. 186 00:08:51,598 --> 00:08:53,231 It keeps ya really busy! 187 00:08:53,231 --> 00:08:54,864 More opportunties to see it. 188 00:08:54,864 --> 00:08:56,498 Does it ever get old? 189 00:08:56,498 --> 00:08:57,498 No, it doesn't. 190 00:08:57,498 --> 00:09:00,464 The have-to situations sometimes get old when you're bent, 191 00:09:00,464 --> 00:09:04,398 when you're pressured that you have to get this done and you're 192 00:09:04,398 --> 00:09:05,698 trying to meet deadlines. 193 00:09:05,698 --> 00:09:06,698 Time restraints, right? 194 00:09:06,698 --> 00:09:07,698 But we've got.. 195 00:09:07,698 --> 00:09:10,998 Like I say, we've got great editors. 196 00:09:10,998 --> 00:09:13,231 We've got a lot of talented people that work real, 197 00:09:13,231 --> 00:09:14,231 real hard. 198 00:09:14,231 --> 00:09:15,231 You can tell. 199 00:09:15,231 --> 00:09:16,231 You can tell by the finished product. 200 00:09:16,231 --> 00:09:19,031 Alright, let's do some rapid fire. 201 00:09:19,031 --> 00:09:20,898 Quick answers to these questions. 202 00:09:20,898 --> 00:09:25,564 Your favorite salt water fishing hole or place to do salt water 203 00:09:25,564 --> 00:09:28,664 and then your favorite freshwater place to fish. 204 00:09:28,664 --> 00:09:30,764 Well you know I've got a lot of them. 205 00:09:30,764 --> 00:09:32,731 People say, "Where's your favorite?" 206 00:09:32,731 --> 00:09:34,264 Well it's where ever I can catch fish. 207 00:09:34,264 --> 00:09:37,098 But I love the Florida Keys. 208 00:09:37,098 --> 00:09:38,098 Absolutely. 209 00:09:38,098 --> 00:09:40,898 I just got back from the Keys. 210 00:09:40,898 --> 00:09:44,698 I love the area from down toward Marathon. 211 00:09:44,698 --> 00:09:49,598 It depends on the particular specie that I'm fishing for. 212 00:09:49,598 --> 00:09:55,564 I love that area through there from Marathon down through 213 00:09:55,564 --> 00:10:02,731 Grassy Keys on down toward Key West. 214 00:10:02,731 --> 00:10:04,798 That area, I love for saltwater. 215 00:10:04,798 --> 00:10:06,598 I love the Destin area. 216 00:10:06,598 --> 00:10:09,764 I'm crazy about the Destin area. 217 00:10:09,764 --> 00:10:10,764 Freshwater? 218 00:10:10,764 --> 00:10:11,964 No, for saltwater? 219 00:10:11,964 --> 00:10:13,631 No, no, no. 220 00:10:13,631 --> 00:10:14,731 For freshwater? 221 00:10:14,731 --> 00:10:15,731 Ah! 222 00:10:15,731 --> 00:10:18,864 I grew up fishing moving water and I love moving water. 223 00:10:18,864 --> 00:10:20,264 I love the Tennessee River. 224 00:10:20,264 --> 00:10:23,064 I love Pickwick Lake. 225 00:10:23,064 --> 00:10:26,564 Pickwick lake is just close to us right here. 226 00:10:26,564 --> 00:10:28,798 It's an hour and 45 minutes. 227 00:10:28,798 --> 00:10:30,331 Easy to get to. 228 00:10:30,331 --> 00:10:35,231 Pickwick is a type of lake that offers 12 months a year fishing. 229 00:10:35,231 --> 00:10:38,764 It's got all three species of Bass -- the large mouth, 230 00:10:38,764 --> 00:10:41,831 the small mouth, the Kentucky or Spotted bass. 231 00:10:41,831 --> 00:10:43,364 It's got great catfish. 232 00:10:43,364 --> 00:10:46,064 It's got good crappie fishing. 233 00:10:46,064 --> 00:10:47,064 It's got good. 234 00:10:47,064 --> 00:10:48,598 Like I say, you can fish summer, fall, 235 00:10:48,598 --> 00:10:49,598 winter or spring. 236 00:10:49,598 --> 00:10:50,598 Cold water, hot water, muddy water, 237 00:10:50,598 --> 00:10:51,598 clear water. 238 00:10:51,598 --> 00:10:52,598 It's just a great fishery. 239 00:10:52,598 --> 00:10:56,398 Is there a place in all the years you've fished that you 240 00:10:56,398 --> 00:10:59,064 have not gone to that you would love to? 241 00:10:59,064 --> 00:11:01,598 Still in your agenda to go to. 242 00:11:01,598 --> 00:11:02,931 Uh, yeah. 243 00:11:02,931 --> 00:11:05,598 There's one place I really want to go to and try that I've 244 00:11:05,598 --> 00:11:06,598 never. 245 00:11:06,598 --> 00:11:07,598 Snake river. 246 00:11:07,598 --> 00:11:12,098 It's where Evil Knievel jumped the Snake river. 247 00:11:12,098 --> 00:11:14,264 I'd like to go up there and fish. 248 00:11:14,264 --> 00:11:15,264 Everybody wants to know. 249 00:11:15,264 --> 00:11:16,564 And of course you're from Tennessee. 250 00:11:16,564 --> 00:11:17,864 It's obvious. 251 00:11:17,864 --> 00:11:20,364 But the origins of the U-T cap. 252 00:11:20,364 --> 00:11:21,831 Your trademark. 253 00:11:21,831 --> 00:11:25,531 I got the first U-T caps I ever got, 254 00:11:25,531 --> 00:11:27,998 I got from Doach Dickey, Doug Dickey. 255 00:11:27,998 --> 00:11:31,498 He sent me two of them. 256 00:11:31,498 --> 00:11:35,364 And I wore that cap. 257 00:11:35,364 --> 00:11:38,031 And the first time I wore it, I won a tournament. 258 00:11:38,031 --> 00:11:41,731 And then I wore it again, I won that second tournament. 259 00:11:41,731 --> 00:11:44,764 And the third one, I won the third tournament. 260 00:11:44,764 --> 00:11:48,464 And then they became just a trademark and I've worn them 261 00:11:48,464 --> 00:11:49,464 ever since. 262 00:11:49,464 --> 00:11:52,831 You are involved with Bass Pro because it's one of your 263 00:11:52,831 --> 00:11:53,831 sponsors. 264 00:11:53,831 --> 00:11:56,531 And we saw you at the groundbreaking of what's going 265 00:11:56,531 --> 00:11:59,131 to be the mega store where the Pyramid is. 266 00:11:59,131 --> 00:12:00,564 What is the latest with that, Bill? 267 00:12:00,564 --> 00:12:02,831 And how involved will you be? 268 00:12:02,831 --> 00:12:05,098 Well Johnny and I have been close friends. 269 00:12:05,098 --> 00:12:10,098 Johnny Marsh is the founder of Bass Pro Shop. 270 00:12:10,098 --> 00:12:14,131 And I remember when johnny used to dream and talk about opening 271 00:12:16,564 --> 00:12:17,864 these type stores. 272 00:12:17,864 --> 00:12:19,398 They're on a much smaller scale. 273 00:12:19,398 --> 00:12:20,964 And that dream became a reality. 274 00:12:20,964 --> 00:12:23,698 And now they've just exploded. 275 00:12:23,698 --> 00:12:27,264 And he's got close to 60 of them nation wide now. 276 00:12:27,264 --> 00:12:31,231 But I remember about seven years ago I met him at Olive Branch. 277 00:12:31,231 --> 00:12:32,731 We got on an airplane. 278 00:12:32,731 --> 00:12:36,498 And we were flying to Sevierville for a store opening. 279 00:12:36,498 --> 00:12:40,331 And he said, "I got a big surprise for you." 280 00:12:40,331 --> 00:12:42,431 And I said, "What's that?' And he said, 281 00:12:42,431 --> 00:12:44,864 "I want you to make a decision for me." 282 00:12:44,864 --> 00:12:46,831 And I said, "What kind of decision?" 283 00:12:46,831 --> 00:12:49,364 And Jim Hagle, the president, they were both sitting across 284 00:12:49,364 --> 00:12:52,264 from me on Johnny's corporate plane. 285 00:12:52,264 --> 00:12:55,598 He siad, "You need to make a decision for us before we get 286 00:12:55,598 --> 00:12:56,598 back. 287 00:12:56,598 --> 00:12:57,898 "We're going to leave Sevierville. 288 00:12:57,898 --> 00:13:00,964 "We're going down to Leads, Alabama for a ground-breaking. 289 00:13:00,964 --> 00:13:02,964 "Then we're going over to Pearl, Mississippi for a 290 00:13:02,964 --> 00:13:05,598 ground-breaking before we get back to Memphis. 291 00:13:05,598 --> 00:13:07,831 "And then you and I are going to fish the Mississippi for two 292 00:13:07,831 --> 00:13:09,398 days for catfish as you well know." 293 00:13:09,398 --> 00:13:10,831 And I said, "Yeah, I know that." 294 00:13:10,831 --> 00:13:12,631 He said, "But you need to make a decision." 295 00:13:12,631 --> 00:13:15,564 And I said, "What's the decision?" 296 00:13:15,564 --> 00:13:19,731 "Should we take over the Pyramid and put a Bass Pro Shop?" 297 00:13:19,731 --> 00:13:21,231 Seven years ago, he asked you this? 298 00:13:21,231 --> 00:13:22,231 Yeah, yeah. 299 00:13:22,231 --> 00:13:23,498 And I said.. 300 00:13:23,498 --> 00:13:24,498 I looked at him. 301 00:13:24,498 --> 00:13:26,698 I said, "You're crazy as a box of rocks." 302 00:13:26,698 --> 00:13:29,564 I said, "I'm not going to make that decision." 303 00:13:29,564 --> 00:13:31,631 And he siad, "Well yeah, you are." 304 00:13:31,631 --> 00:13:33,831 And I said, "Oh, I can't make the decision. 305 00:13:33,831 --> 00:13:34,864 "That's too big of a decision." 306 00:13:34,864 --> 00:13:35,931 He said, "Well think about it." 307 00:13:35,931 --> 00:13:37,498 I thought he was kidding. 308 00:13:37,498 --> 00:13:39,331 And we got there. 309 00:13:39,331 --> 00:13:43,198 And later that night after we did the opening in Sevierville, 310 00:13:43,198 --> 00:13:44,831 he said, "Have you made that decision?" 311 00:13:44,831 --> 00:13:47,131 I said, "No, I hadn't made it. 312 00:13:47,131 --> 00:13:48,131 "I'm not going to." 313 00:13:48,131 --> 00:13:49,298 He says, "Yeah, you are." 314 00:13:49,298 --> 00:13:52,564 And the next day he said, "We need a decision." 315 00:13:52,564 --> 00:13:54,664 And he kept kidding about it. 316 00:13:54,664 --> 00:13:58,031 And finally Hagle, I mean looks at me and said, 317 00:13:58,031 --> 00:13:59,398 "Bill, I need a decision. 318 00:13:59,398 --> 00:14:00,898 "I'm serious." 319 00:14:00,898 --> 00:14:02,931 And I said, "You are serious, aren't you?" 320 00:14:02,931 --> 00:14:04,964 He said, "I am very serious." 321 00:14:04,964 --> 00:14:05,964 And I looked. 322 00:14:05,964 --> 00:14:06,964 And I thought. 323 00:14:06,964 --> 00:14:10,231 And then Johnny, he said, "Look, I'll make it easy on you. 324 00:14:10,231 --> 00:14:12,864 "We're gonna fish the Mississippi river. 325 00:14:12,864 --> 00:14:15,731 "If we catch a catfish over 30 pounds, 326 00:14:15,731 --> 00:14:18,131 we're coming to Memphis and we're going to put a Pyramid in. 327 00:14:18,131 --> 00:14:21,631 "We're gonna put a Bass Pro at the Pyrmid." 328 00:14:21,631 --> 00:14:26,631 So I said, "A catfish is going to decide." 329 00:14:26,631 --> 00:14:27,664 That's what he said. 330 00:14:27,664 --> 00:14:29,898 Has anybody ever heard this story? 331 00:14:29,898 --> 00:14:32,264 Oh, yeah. 332 00:14:32,264 --> 00:14:33,264 So long story, short -- what happened? 333 00:14:33,264 --> 00:14:34,264 The mayor knows about it. 334 00:14:34,264 --> 00:14:35,264 We brought this up. 335 00:14:35,264 --> 00:14:36,264 It was a big thing. 336 00:14:36,264 --> 00:14:37,264 And so we fished. 337 00:14:37,264 --> 00:14:39,064 And his good friend and my good friend Jack Emmitt went with us. 338 00:14:39,064 --> 00:14:41,798 And Jack has been with Johnny forever. 339 00:14:41,798 --> 00:14:43,764 And we went up the river. 340 00:14:43,764 --> 00:14:47,064 We took old James 'Big Cat' Patterson with us. 341 00:14:47,064 --> 00:14:49,798 And of course James took us up the river. 342 00:14:49,798 --> 00:14:52,231 You know James knows the river like an otter knows water. 343 00:14:52,231 --> 00:14:53,231 Right. 344 00:14:53,231 --> 00:14:54,231 And it was a cold day. 345 00:14:54,231 --> 00:14:55,231 It was like 30 degrees. 346 00:14:55,231 --> 00:14:56,698 We anchored the boat. 347 00:14:56,698 --> 00:14:58,598 We got two bites. 348 00:14:58,598 --> 00:15:01,431 And Jack caught one over 30 pounds. 349 00:15:01,431 --> 00:15:02,831 And Johnny said, "That does it. 350 00:15:02,831 --> 00:15:04,598 "We're coming to Memphis." 351 00:15:04,598 --> 00:15:06,398 And the catfish decided it. 352 00:15:06,398 --> 00:15:08,064 And we've laughed about that for a long, 353 00:15:08,064 --> 00:15:09,064 long time. 354 00:15:09,064 --> 00:15:14,064 But we unveiled a big picture at the ground-breaking and unvelied 355 00:15:14,064 --> 00:15:18,398 it with Jack holding this big 30 pound catfish. 356 00:15:18,398 --> 00:15:22,264 And we told that story at the ground-breaking. 357 00:15:22,264 --> 00:15:23,264 That's unbelievable. 358 00:15:23,264 --> 00:15:26,131 But the schedule, fall of 2014. 359 00:15:26,131 --> 00:15:29,498 We don't have a lot of time. 360 00:15:29,498 --> 00:15:34,331 You've had a chance to fish with celebrities galore from 361 00:15:34,331 --> 00:15:38,331 politicians to singers to actors to sportsmen, 362 00:15:38,331 --> 00:15:40,498 obviously athletes. 363 00:15:40,498 --> 00:15:44,998 What is the one that stands out of all the celebrities you've 364 00:15:44,998 --> 00:15:48,231 taken out to fish and the one that you weren't able to do? 365 00:15:50,464 --> 00:15:56,031 The one that he wanted to do it and I wanted to do it. 366 00:15:56,031 --> 00:15:58,798 And we both tried so hard. 367 00:15:58,798 --> 00:16:01,598 When he could do it, I couldn't do it. 368 00:16:01,598 --> 00:16:03,431 And was.. 369 00:16:03,431 --> 00:16:05,731 Norman Schwarzkopf. 370 00:16:05,731 --> 00:16:08,064 General Schwarzkopf. 371 00:16:08,064 --> 00:16:12,531 He sent me a letter the day Desert Storm started. 372 00:16:12,531 --> 00:16:14,231 And I've got it. 373 00:16:14,231 --> 00:16:15,231 You saw it on my wall. 374 00:16:15,231 --> 00:16:16,231 Exactly. 375 00:16:16,231 --> 00:16:17,231 And we'll show everybody that. 376 00:16:17,231 --> 00:16:20,131 He wanted to fish with you and Desert Storm breaks out. 377 00:16:20,131 --> 00:16:21,131 Yeah. 378 00:16:21,131 --> 00:16:25,598 And after that, our schedules never could get together. 379 00:16:25,598 --> 00:16:28,631 And America lost a wonderful, wonderful person. 380 00:16:28,631 --> 00:16:29,898 They certainly did. 381 00:16:29,898 --> 00:16:33,698 The one that stands out of itnerviews or the fishing that 382 00:16:33,698 --> 00:16:34,698 you've done? 383 00:16:34,698 --> 00:16:35,698 It doesn't even have to be a show. 384 00:16:35,698 --> 00:16:38,131 The one athlete, the one personality. 385 00:16:38,131 --> 00:16:41,831 Who would it be out of all the hundreds that you've done. 386 00:16:41,831 --> 00:16:42,831 Oh, there's been.. 387 00:16:42,831 --> 00:16:45,931 I had another one set to do with Billy Graham. 388 00:16:45,931 --> 00:16:46,931 Oh really? 389 00:16:46,931 --> 00:16:48,298 Yeah, Reverend Bill Graham. 390 00:16:48,298 --> 00:16:53,831 And that was another figure that I really wanted so bad to do a 391 00:16:53,831 --> 00:16:54,831 show with. 392 00:16:54,831 --> 00:16:56,198 And it came close. 393 00:16:56,198 --> 00:16:59,298 Right, but you didn't get that one done. 394 00:16:59,298 --> 00:17:01,498 The scheduling the Tennessee River, 395 00:17:01,498 --> 00:17:03,131 Mother Nature messed us up on that. 396 00:17:03,131 --> 00:17:07,231 But on the ones you've done, which is the one you remember 397 00:17:07,231 --> 00:17:08,231 the most? 398 00:17:08,231 --> 00:17:10,464 Give me the one interview. 399 00:17:10,464 --> 00:17:12,631 What would it be that you've done? 400 00:17:12,631 --> 00:17:17,931 I can tell you the ones that stand out was with each one of 401 00:17:17,931 --> 00:17:21,398 my four children there when they caught their very first fish. 402 00:17:21,398 --> 00:17:27,998 And then three of my grandchildren there when they 403 00:17:27,998 --> 00:17:29,331 caught their very first fish. 404 00:17:29,331 --> 00:17:30,331 How many grandchldren you have? 405 00:17:30,331 --> 00:17:31,331 I've got seven. 406 00:17:31,331 --> 00:17:32,331 Fantastic. 407 00:17:32,331 --> 00:17:33,331 But how about a celebrity? 408 00:17:33,331 --> 00:17:34,331 Give me one. 409 00:17:34,331 --> 00:17:35,331 Everybody's waiting with dated breath here. 410 00:17:35,331 --> 00:17:36,398 Well the one. 411 00:17:36,398 --> 00:17:39,431 The funniest ones were like with Terry Bradshaw. 412 00:17:39,431 --> 00:17:41,364 You were his best man in his wedding. 413 00:17:41,364 --> 00:17:42,364 Yeah. 414 00:17:42,364 --> 00:17:43,364 He's been married a few times though, 415 00:17:43,364 --> 00:17:44,364 right. 416 00:17:44,364 --> 00:17:45,364 Yeah, his second wedding. 417 00:17:45,364 --> 00:17:46,331 [laughter] 418 00:17:46,331 --> 00:17:46,964 Yeah, his second wedding. 419 00:17:46,964 --> 00:17:47,964 It is unbelievable. 420 00:17:47,964 --> 00:17:49,864 Bill, are you gonna do this for another 40 years? 421 00:17:49,864 --> 00:17:51,931 Hope to do it forever and then a little bit more. 422 00:17:51,931 --> 00:17:53,364 Thank you so much. 423 00:17:53,364 --> 00:17:54,364 Always good to be with you. 424 00:17:54,364 --> 00:17:55,364 Same here. 425 00:17:55,364 --> 00:17:56,364 We'll take a break. 426 00:17:56,364 --> 00:17:59,231 We'll come back with Overtime right after this. 427 00:17:59,231 --> 00:18:08,898 ♪♪♪ 428 00:18:08,898 --> 00:18:09,464 (male announcer) Three.. 429 00:18:09,464 --> 00:18:10,064 Two.. 430 00:18:10,064 --> 00:18:10,931 One.. 431 00:18:10,931 --> 00:18:14,331 [buzzer sounds] 432 00:18:14,331 --> 00:18:16,031 The Memphis area has had its share of success 433 00:18:16,031 --> 00:18:18,798 stories in Professional golf from Middlecoff to Roberts to 434 00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:19,798 Micheel. 435 00:18:19,798 --> 00:18:21,731 In addition, the area has produced some of the best 436 00:18:21,731 --> 00:18:25,031 amateur golfers anywhere, including David Gossett and Tim 437 00:18:25,031 --> 00:18:26,164 Jackson. 438 00:18:26,164 --> 00:18:28,798 One of the top players the last few years has been University of 439 00:18:28,798 --> 00:18:31,664 Memphis product Matt Cooper, who earlier this summer, 440 00:18:31,664 --> 00:18:34,431 captured his second straight Publinks championship. 441 00:18:34,431 --> 00:18:36,131 Recently, I spent some time with Matt, 442 00:18:36,131 --> 00:18:40,364 to find out more about his game and his future. 443 00:18:40,364 --> 00:18:41,364 Coop, it's great to see you again! 444 00:18:41,364 --> 00:18:42,364 Good to see you again! 445 00:18:42,364 --> 00:18:44,898 Definitely in your wheel house here at Tunica National. 446 00:18:44,898 --> 00:18:47,564 Beautiful golf course that you work for. 447 00:18:47,564 --> 00:18:49,698 And we'll talk about that a little bit later on. 448 00:18:49,698 --> 00:18:50,698 But congratulations. 449 00:18:50,698 --> 00:18:52,998 Two straight years winning the Publinks. 450 00:18:52,998 --> 00:18:53,998 Way to go! 451 00:18:53,998 --> 00:18:54,998 Thank you very much. 452 00:18:54,998 --> 00:18:55,998 It was a lot of fun. 453 00:18:55,998 --> 00:18:56,998 It was a little different though this year. 454 00:18:56,998 --> 00:18:57,998 Normally it's three rounds. 455 00:18:57,998 --> 00:18:59,831 This one ended up being 36 holes. 456 00:18:59,831 --> 00:19:02,931 But you ended up getting in that first round before the rain 457 00:19:02,931 --> 00:19:04,398 stopped play. 458 00:19:04,398 --> 00:19:07,064 Funny story because you had a great score and then things 459 00:19:07,064 --> 00:19:08,064 changed. 460 00:19:08,064 --> 00:19:09,098 Yeah, the first round was at Auduban. 461 00:19:09,098 --> 00:19:12,298 And I was like the second group off that morning. 462 00:19:12,298 --> 00:19:14,431 I played my round no problem in perfect weather. 463 00:19:14,431 --> 00:19:17,531 Shot 68, two under. 464 00:19:17,531 --> 00:19:21,231 And went out to my parents house in Germantown and kind of hung 465 00:19:21,231 --> 00:19:23,231 out that day in perfect weather. 466 00:19:23,231 --> 00:19:26,298 I was stopping by Auduban on the way back home to see how Eli and 467 00:19:26,298 --> 00:19:29,531 some of the guys are doing and it was pouring down rain. 468 00:19:29,531 --> 00:19:31,598 They were all under the hut in a delay. 469 00:19:31,598 --> 00:19:35,764 So they kind of waited out the delay as long as they could. 470 00:19:35,764 --> 00:19:38,431 They ultimately had to make the decision to wash the first round 471 00:19:38,431 --> 00:19:39,398 out. 472 00:19:39,398 --> 00:19:40,698 They weren't going to be able to get everybody back out on the 473 00:19:40,698 --> 00:19:42,998 course the next morning, still go play the second round at 474 00:19:42,998 --> 00:19:46,664 Galloway. 475 00:19:46,664 --> 00:19:47,664 So everybody started clean 36 holes on that Saturday. 476 00:19:47,664 --> 00:19:51,298 That must be tough on the psyche to try to get yourself ready to 477 00:19:51,298 --> 00:19:53,431 go for 36 after you just posted a good score. 478 00:19:53,431 --> 00:19:54,431 Yeah, it was. 479 00:19:54,431 --> 00:19:57,631 It was kind of a frustrating decision because I thought 480 00:19:57,631 --> 00:19:59,664 Auduban was probably the hardest of the three courses. 481 00:19:59,664 --> 00:20:04,231 And a good round there can kind of seperate me from the field a 482 00:20:04,231 --> 00:20:06,931 little bit. 483 00:20:06,931 --> 00:20:08,031 But once they made the decision, I gave Micheal, 484 00:20:08,031 --> 00:20:10,398 who was a part of the decision, a hard time. 485 00:20:10,398 --> 00:20:15,298 But once that was made, I just kind of tried to put that out of 486 00:20:15,298 --> 00:20:18,898 my head and just play a start over on Saturday and play a 36 487 00:20:18,898 --> 00:20:19,898 hole event. 488 00:20:19,898 --> 00:20:21,964 Now obviously it worked as you win your second streak Publinks. 489 00:20:21,964 --> 00:20:24,898 What does it mean to you win those titles, 490 00:20:24,898 --> 00:20:28,498 to also fare so well in many of the state tournaments that take 491 00:20:28,498 --> 00:20:29,831 place as you try to become.. 492 00:20:29,831 --> 00:20:32,664 And you already are but maybe the best following in the 493 00:20:32,664 --> 00:20:34,764 footsteps of the great Tim Jackson, 494 00:20:34,764 --> 00:20:36,431 the best amateur in the area? 495 00:20:36,431 --> 00:20:38,098 Well it's been cool because, like I said, 496 00:20:38,098 --> 00:20:42,964 I took a few years off from competitive golf. 497 00:20:42,964 --> 00:20:44,264 About the last two or three years, 498 00:20:44,264 --> 00:20:45,831 I've kind of picked it back up. 499 00:20:45,831 --> 00:20:49,864 And the first year or so, the first two years in the Publinks 500 00:20:49,864 --> 00:20:52,731 in particular, were kind of tough ways to lose and lost 501 00:20:52,731 --> 00:20:53,331 them. 502 00:20:53,331 --> 00:20:57,964 But to finally come through last year and close the deal and get 503 00:20:57,964 --> 00:21:00,131 a win and then to back it up again this year, 504 00:21:00,131 --> 00:21:04,498 it's definitely kind of, it kind of good to kind of confirms the 505 00:21:04,498 --> 00:21:06,398 hard work I've been putting in. 506 00:21:06,398 --> 00:21:07,798 And to close the deal was very cool. 507 00:21:07,798 --> 00:21:10,298 As many know, you played at the University of Memphis, 508 00:21:10,298 --> 00:21:12,064 Germantown High School. 509 00:21:12,064 --> 00:21:18,598 Why do you think you're playing your best golf right now? 510 00:21:18,598 --> 00:21:19,998 You just turned 34 years of age. 511 00:21:19,998 --> 00:21:21,231 Why is it all coming together? 512 00:21:21,231 --> 00:21:22,231 Yeah, that's a good question. 513 00:21:22,231 --> 00:21:24,464 I get asked that all the time because I'm definitely playing 514 00:21:24,464 --> 00:21:26,698 the best right now that I have in my whole life. 515 00:21:26,698 --> 00:21:29,531 I think it's just kind of a just maturing a little bit on the 516 00:21:29,531 --> 00:21:31,564 golf course, kind of been working down here at Tunica 517 00:21:31,564 --> 00:21:34,864 National and having a guy to kind of bounce some ideas off 518 00:21:34,864 --> 00:21:35,864 of. 519 00:21:35,864 --> 00:21:36,864 Former touring pro. 520 00:21:36,864 --> 00:21:37,864 He's a great teacher. 521 00:21:37,864 --> 00:21:40,164 And it's helped me a lot with my game. 522 00:21:40,164 --> 00:21:43,098 But just kind of mature on the golf course, 523 00:21:43,098 --> 00:21:46,198 learning to kind of not take everything so serious and so 524 00:21:46,198 --> 00:21:47,198 hard. 525 00:21:47,198 --> 00:21:49,531 Kind of just my attitudes gotten a lot better. 526 00:21:49,531 --> 00:21:53,198 And then quite honestly my short game over the past two or three 527 00:21:53,198 --> 00:21:55,698 years, being down here and having this practice facility 528 00:21:55,698 --> 00:21:58,664 and maybe senaking off 30 minutes here and there around 529 00:21:58,664 --> 00:22:00,898 lunch or whatever and just chippin' and puttin'. 530 00:22:00,898 --> 00:22:03,031 That's probably been the number one reason why I've been playing 531 00:22:03,031 --> 00:22:03,964 so much better. 532 00:22:03,964 --> 00:22:07,164 After you graduated college, you would normally think anybody who 533 00:22:07,164 --> 00:22:09,431 played collegiate golf at that level, 534 00:22:09,431 --> 00:22:12,164 Division I level, would be thinking to turn professional. 535 00:22:12,164 --> 00:22:13,864 That's not the route you decided to go. 536 00:22:13,864 --> 00:22:16,498 Well it was always in the back of my mind. 537 00:22:16,498 --> 00:22:18,964 As a kid growing up that's obviously what any competitive 538 00:22:18,964 --> 00:22:21,031 golfer wants to do. 539 00:22:21,031 --> 00:22:26,464 But you know I played four years at Memphis and never really had 540 00:22:26,464 --> 00:22:28,298 good enough results to warrant, you know, 541 00:22:28,298 --> 00:22:29,564 turning pro right out of college. 542 00:22:29,564 --> 00:22:31,998 I did take about a year and a half or two years right after 543 00:22:31,998 --> 00:22:34,131 school and tried to travel. 544 00:22:34,131 --> 00:22:36,898 And I played in some big amateur tournaments and was fortunate 545 00:22:36,898 --> 00:22:39,298 enough to not have to go to work right away. 546 00:22:39,298 --> 00:22:42,398 But I never got the results and never really, 547 00:22:42,398 --> 00:22:47,831 you know, convinced myself that it was worth going turning pro 548 00:22:47,831 --> 00:22:49,531 and going to school or anything like that. 549 00:22:49,531 --> 00:22:51,464 So I became a working man. 550 00:22:51,464 --> 00:22:52,831 You've had a terrific summer. 551 00:22:52,831 --> 00:22:55,398 First alternate for the U-S Amatuer. 552 00:22:55,398 --> 00:22:58,964 What are the goals now for you in your amateur career? 553 00:22:58,964 --> 00:23:02,398 Uh, well definitely to play in as many U-S-G-A events as 554 00:23:02,398 --> 00:23:03,398 possible. 555 00:23:03,398 --> 00:23:04,898 I was lucky enough to play in the U-A Amateur last year. 556 00:23:04,898 --> 00:23:05,898 What was that experience like? 557 00:23:05,898 --> 00:23:06,898 It was awesome. 558 00:23:06,898 --> 00:23:10,598 Cherry Hills Country Club out in Denver with a lot of history. 559 00:23:10,598 --> 00:23:13,898 That was my first U-S-G-A event ever and really the biggest 560 00:23:13,898 --> 00:23:15,398 tournament I ever played in. 561 00:23:15,398 --> 00:23:17,131 So there were some nerves involved. 562 00:23:17,131 --> 00:23:20,031 I didn't play a great round the first day, 563 00:23:20,031 --> 00:23:23,364 played okay the second round of stroke play and missed making 564 00:23:23,364 --> 00:23:25,331 match play by five or six shots. 565 00:23:25,331 --> 00:23:28,431 But it was a great experience and kind of to get a taste of 566 00:23:28,431 --> 00:23:30,498 amateur golf at the highest level. 567 00:23:30,498 --> 00:23:32,164 It was pretty cool. 568 00:23:32,164 --> 00:23:36,031 But the goals there and to compete in state level events 569 00:23:36,031 --> 00:23:37,364 and state opens and state amateurs. 570 00:23:37,364 --> 00:23:41,031 Hopefully getting contention and win some of those and maybe try 571 00:23:41,031 --> 00:23:43,164 to be the Tennessee Player of the Year and Amateur Player of 572 00:23:43,164 --> 00:23:44,164 the Year. 573 00:23:44,164 --> 00:23:47,164 And keep making the amateur cup teams at the end of the summer. 574 00:23:47,164 --> 00:23:48,764 All those are good goals of mine. 575 00:23:48,764 --> 00:23:51,698 As I mentioned, Tim Jackson, a guy you emulate. 576 00:23:51,698 --> 00:23:56,131 So many terrific amateur golfers in the area. 577 00:23:56,131 --> 00:23:58,964 Would you be satisfied for your golf career if I said, 578 00:23:58,964 --> 00:24:01,231 "Listen, you're going to be the best amateur for a period of 579 00:24:01,231 --> 00:24:02,231 time. 580 00:24:02,231 --> 00:24:03,831 "But you're never going to get a chance to play professionally." 581 00:24:03,831 --> 00:24:05,464 Are you satisfied with that? 582 00:24:05,464 --> 00:24:06,464 Oh, absolutely. 583 00:24:06,464 --> 00:24:07,664 At this point in my life, for sure. 584 00:24:07,664 --> 00:24:09,698 Yeah, the pro.. 585 00:24:09,698 --> 00:24:13,098 Well you know, you never know what happens when you turn 50. 586 00:24:13,098 --> 00:24:16,198 You stay in good health and your game stays sharp, 587 00:24:16,198 --> 00:24:17,864 that's always a possibility. 588 00:24:17,864 --> 00:24:21,798 But no, definitely my goals these days are all within the 589 00:24:21,798 --> 00:24:22,798 amateur range. 590 00:24:22,798 --> 00:24:24,764 Did you always know that somewhere, 591 00:24:24,764 --> 00:24:26,931 somehow you were going to be involved in golf for a 592 00:24:26,931 --> 00:24:27,931 profession? 593 00:24:27,931 --> 00:24:30,698 And tell us a little bit about your profession at Tunica 594 00:24:30,698 --> 00:24:31,698 National. 595 00:24:31,698 --> 00:24:32,698 Yeah, definitely was something. 596 00:24:32,698 --> 00:24:35,998 I obviosuly got in to at a fairly early age thought my 597 00:24:35,998 --> 00:24:38,498 grandfather and my dad and my uncle Jimmy, 598 00:24:38,498 --> 00:24:39,498 big gold family. 599 00:24:39,498 --> 00:24:43,164 So I mean it was always something that I loved and was 600 00:24:43,164 --> 00:24:44,164 passionate about. 601 00:24:44,164 --> 00:24:45,998 And then yeah, once I started working, 602 00:24:45,998 --> 00:24:49,731 I got this opporunity to come down here at Tunica National and 603 00:24:49,731 --> 00:24:51,598 get involved in the golf business. 604 00:24:51,598 --> 00:24:52,864 And it's been fantastic. 605 00:24:52,864 --> 00:24:53,864 It's been wonderful. 606 00:24:53,864 --> 00:24:56,298 Great for my game and just great for, 607 00:24:56,298 --> 00:24:58,798 you know, overall just satisfaction and doing something 608 00:24:58,798 --> 00:25:00,364 you love to do everyday. 609 00:25:00,364 --> 00:25:03,798 Well it's an absolute pleasure keeping up with what you've been 610 00:25:03,798 --> 00:25:04,798 doing, Matt. 611 00:25:04,798 --> 00:25:08,198 Make sure you continue to let us know and we'll keep everybody up 612 00:25:08,198 --> 00:25:11,364 to date with what you're doing in your tournaments, 613 00:25:11,364 --> 00:25:12,998 amateur tournaments, state tournaments. 614 00:25:12,998 --> 00:25:15,298 And who know what will happen for the future? 615 00:25:15,298 --> 00:25:16,731 But always great to see that. 616 00:25:16,731 --> 00:25:17,831 Thanks a lot. 617 00:25:17,831 --> 00:25:18,831 I will. 618 00:25:18,831 --> 00:25:20,164 Thanks, Greg. 619 00:25:20,164 --> 00:25:21,564 And that will do it for this week's show. 620 00:25:21,564 --> 00:25:24,431 Next week it's our S-E-C Football preview show. 621 00:25:24,431 --> 00:25:27,064 And as we say goodnight, check out some of the world famous 622 00:25:27,064 --> 00:25:28,298 Bill Dance Bloopers. 623 00:25:28,298 --> 00:25:30,531 Have a great week and we'll see you next time. 624 00:25:51,164 --> 00:25:53,364 ♪♪♪ 625 00:25:53,364 --> 00:25:57,364 CLOSED CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY WKNO - MEMPHIS.