THE 10TH HOLE INTERVIEWS A SPARK GOLFER WITH A WHITE BELT — STEVE DAVEY
Welcome to the 2nd round of The 10th Hole, our new blog to keep you updated on everything Spark. Each round we’ll interview cool people with 9 holes of questions. Just like our leagues, The 10th Hole will keep it fun and social with the occasional penalty stroke. Let’s Spark it up with round 2!
Round 2’s interviewee is a conflicted individual. You may know him as the Winter Park, FL City Amateur Champion. Or remember his sweater vests while hacking it around the Dakotas Tour in the late 90s. Most know him as 2018 Spark Golf WP9 Summer League Champ — Steve Davey.
Hole 1 — Who is Steve Davey?
I’m a 43-year-old husband with two kids who’s lived in Winter Park, FL since 2010. As a 1-ish handicapper, I’m slowly chasing the dream of playing all of America’s Top 100 Golf Courses. I played D-III golf at Emory University, worked at Callaway Golf for a millisecond, washed out of various mini-tours in the late 90s, and have worked in the live-event industry ever since.
Hole 2 — Your resume doesn’t exactly scream Spark Golf. How’d you get in here?
I was invited by The Commish as a sub in the early days at Dubsdread. Even though I got some funny looks, I really enjoyed the round. It was a fun, laid-back group of people that weren’t concerned about what they shot. From there, I joined the Spark league at WP9, bought a beer quiver and was all-in.
Hole 3 — Let me ask you a personal question, do you own a white golf belt?
I know where you’re going with this. I am a recovering white belter, yes. 423 days white belt free to be exact. That was the pre-Spark me, and why I got those funny looks.
Hole 4 — Do you think white belters and Spark golfers can coexist?
Totally. I think they must for the game to survive or at least to thrive. There is something great about the elite clubs with their architecture, their traditions, their conditioning, but there is also something great about taking a pull-cart out with your buddies and playing a 9-some in t-shirts. We are so lucky to live in a town that has a place where you can get both — at the WP9.
Hole 5 — Sounds like you may be clinging to some white belter tendencies?
It’s a process.
Hole 6 — Do you still own a white belt?
Next question.
Hole 7 — You and your Spark partner won the 2018 Spark WP9 Summer League. Would you call that your greatest golfing achievement to date?
It’s up there for sure. As a mini-tour professional I took down the 2000 Milbank Open while on the Dakotas Tour so that was special. As an amateur, however, I would say my Spark victory is on par with winning the 2018 Winter Park City Amateur that same year. I’ve heard some call it the “Davey Slam,” but that’s not for me to say. If others say it, so be it.
Hole 8 — So back to this white belt… What defines a white belter to you?
It’s honestly not even about wearing a white belt. A white belt golfer is a stiff. Someone who doesn’t like to have fun and worse doesn’t allow others around him to have fun. They intimidate others with their rules and make the game exclusive. Golf can have rules and etiquette, but it needs to lighten up and have more fun. As y’all say, golf needs a Spark.
Hole 9 — What’s your lowest 9-hole round?
29. During a Spark league round. In a t-shirt.
