There isn’t a golfer anywhere who wouldn’t have traded places with Fresh Meadow member Jonny Doppelt the week of February 5. During that week, Doppelt played as an amateur participant in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, one of the most beloved tournaments on the PGA Tour. As if that weren’t good enough, Doppelt was in the same foursome as actor Bill Murray, who happens to be a longtime friend. We caught up with Doppelt upon his return to New York and asked him about the experience of a lifetime.

 

Q: Playing in the same group as Bill Murray, you were followed by huge crowds. How did your game fare in front of so many people?

 

A: The crowds were enormous – a lot bigger than I expected. Bill even commented to me that they were larger than usual. I still can’t believe how well I played during all three rounds. It’s the best I can remember playing for three straight days in a tournament, and every facet of my game was solid. I had a great swing thought: complete my rotation on the downswing. It helped that we had practice rounds Monday through Wednesday, and I also practiced at the range quite a bit. I shot 75-72-71 in some pretty lousy conditions, and Jeff Sluman (my pro-am partner) and Scott Simpson (Bill’s partner) both said I should think about the Champions Tour in four years, when I turn 50. I told them let’s see if I can win the Ike before I’m done! They got a laugh out of that.

 

Q: What was the funniest exchange you overheard between Murray and a member of the crowd?

 

A: It’s so difficult to pinpoint just one. We had a wait on a tee box once and a guy in the crowd said, “Hey Bill, I’ve been chasing you for five years with no luck!” Bill says back to the guy, “Am I that fast? Maybe you should buy a moped.”

   Another time, there was a back-up on the tee of a par three and finally it’s my turn to hit. Bill starts in with the crowd and says, “the guy’s just an amateur from Long Island. But he’s good, really good.” So Kevin James and Ray Romano are playing behind us and waiting too, and they say, “let’s see how good.” I actually lipped out a hole-in-one – how lucky was that shot?!

   At one point Scott Simpson teased Bill about his play and Bill shoots back in his deadpan way, “oh you think you’re so special just because you won the U.S. Open.”

   If you haven’t seen him in person, you just can’t believe it. Bill keeps saying hilarious stuff throughout the round – the crowd loves it and continues to egg him on. If you’re playing with him, you just have to pull the trigger and play. That’s the fun part.

 

Q: You were college teammates with Jeff Sluman at Florida State. How long had it been since you’d seen him or played golf with him?

 

A: I’ve seen Jeff off and on through the years – at the majors played in the Met Area and also at Westchester Country Club for the Buick (or Barclays) Classic. Bill has joined me occasionally to follow Jeff around, and the three of us have had dinner together. At the AT&T, Jeff told us that this year he wants to go to Peter Luger’s Steakhouse when he’s in town. We hadn’t played golf together in a while. He had a tough week, but he’s a great, great player. He’s actually turning 50 this September, and I think he’ll do very well on the Champions Tour. My two teenage sons, Jason and David, alternated as caddies for me during the AT&T and really enjoyed being with Jeff, and with Scott Simpson.

 

Q: On average, what would you say the background noise level is like at a PGA Tour event, compared to the large amateur events you’ve played in? How were you able to concentrate on your golf swing?

 

A: The crowds at a PGA Tour event are loud, especially the people following Bill Murray at the AT&T. They are fired up and are true golf fans as well. I was able to concentrate on my swing easily enough, though, and just enjoyed the whole experience. There were thousands of people out there, and they were very encouraging. I just kept telling myself that I’ve played this game for a long time. Incredibly, I crushed my opening drive on the first tee each day, and the crowd really cheered. It doesn’t sound like my usual game!

 

Q: Overall, what memories will you take from the Pebble Beach experience?

 

A: It was so special to be there with my sons. Seeing their reactions on the course was just terrific. It is such a gorgeous part of the country, and I hadn’t been there in many years. Bill, Scott and I played Cypress Point the day before the tournament, which was an incredible treat. What was especially memorable was how Bill, Scott and Jeff were so nice to my boys – we all had dinner together every night. I also got to see some Tour guys who I knew from their amateur days, like Jim McGovern, Len Mattiace, and J.J. Henry. One of the coolest moments was when Ray Floyd approached me before the second round on the practice putting green and said what a great shot I hit through the trees on 18 at Spyglass the day before. He had seen it on The Golf Channel! The entire experience inside the ropes was incredible. It was one fun week!