ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lee Trevino won the Champions Skins Game trophy yesterday on Maui.
WAILEA, Maui >> Lee Trevino isn't sure where professional golf is headed, he only knows he won't play an intricate part in its future. Trevino bags
Skins Game title
Kite is flying high
By Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.comDespite showing he can still get into the swing of things at the age of 63 with his victory at yesterday's $600,000 ConAgra Foods Champions Skins Game, Trevino is too busy raising his second family to spend his time with senior citizens.
And that's too bad. Despite displaying a variety of shots yesterday that even had Jack Nicklaus shaking his head in wonder, Trevino believes the game is for the big boys, their oversize drivers and their ability to hit a mile high and 350 yards down the fairway.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Trevino said. "Are they going to build 8,000-yard courses and leave all the old golf courses behind because the big boys can't hit their drivers? The public won't accept them playing at a course like Colonial, Hogan's Alley, you know, and come out using 3-irons on the tee. It's a whole new game."
Perhaps that's why a large gallery and national audience on ABC-TV followed Trevino, Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Arnold Palmer at yesterday's Skins Game, won by Trevino on the third playoff hole with Irwin. They admire the way these old guys approach the game.
Trevino bagged six skins worth $240,000 to edge defending champion Irwin, who finished with five skins and $200,000. After Irwin won three skins worth $120,000 on the 17th hole of regulation, the famous foursome teed off at the 18th for a skin worth $100,000.
There were two birdies in regulation by Irwin and Trevino, forcing the first playoff hole at No. 18. Palmer, who was shut out for the second consecutive year, went out with a bogey. Nicklaus, who pocketed seven skins worth $160,000, exited the stage on the second playoff hole at No. 16 after flying the par-3 green with a 4-wood.
That left Irwin and Trevino to go to the third playoff hole. Trevino birdied the par-4 17th from 10 feet after Irwin missed a 25-footer for birdie. It was the first time in seven Skins Game appearances that Trevino won the event.
Did he have fun out there?
"I have fun in a closet, Trevino quipped.
Was he encouraged by his play?
"I don't play much anymore, but I practice a lot," Trevino said, then smiled.
Will he play more golf this year?
"No way, man," Trevino said. "I'm raising a family. I have father-son breakfasts to attend. Thirty-five years ago, I'm there. But not now."
Trevino concedes the family he raised from his earlier marriage isn't as close as he would like them to be. Instead of compounding that mistake with his 10- and 14-year-old children with his current marriage, Trevino only plays when he has to and when his family can come with him.
"This morning I was up at 3 practicing my putting in the hotel room," Trevino said. "It was a little bumpy. I may have to mow it. But it was 7 in the morning in Dallas. That's just when I get up. You see a lot of interesting things on the beach at 4 in the morning. You should try it sometime."
Trevino will try to build on his success on the Big Island later this week. He will play in the MasterCard Championship, where he will try to knock off defending champion and fellow Texan Tom Kite. Irwin encouraged Trevino to play more to help the Champions Tour.
"Because Lee played great," Irwin said. "I haven't played with him and seen him hit so many good shots in a long time. I'm going to tell him to start playing more than 15 events because he can still play and the Champions Tour needs him.
"I don't like the taste of finishing second or third, but give Lee credit. He hit all kinds of quality shots out there and made several clutch putts. He missed for Jack one time, but he covered me up with several big putts."
Including the one on the 18th hole in regulation. Irwin was sitting with a 12-footer for birdie and the win, when Trevino calmly wrapped in an 18-footer, forcing Irwin to make his just to survive another day.
As Trevino stood over that putt, he said, "I have no idea where this is going. I'm going to aim left and hope it goes in."
It did.
On the second playoff hole, Nicklaus said Trevino's knockdown 3-wood was one of the prettiest shots he had ever seen. Nicklaus flew the 208-yard hole with a 4-wood that left him in a lava field. He wound up with a double bogey, leaving only Irwin and Trevino.
"I thought I played very well all day," said Irwin, who had seven birdies in regulation. "But it was one of those crazy days where every time I did something, someone also matched me. I felt like it was three against one out there."
It was. Or at least that's how Trevino saw it.
"That's the only way we could beat him," Trevino said. "Hale is very underrated. Always has been. It felt good to get a win after all these years. These days, I let my wife handle everything. There's no pressure on me. I just go out and have a good time."
