Door County Golf Player Profile

It’s always time well spent playing a Saturday round at Peninsula with one of my favorite golf buddies, Tomm “Hum” Hummel. I love watching Hum launch the ball off the tee box to places in the fairway I only see on my second shot. Not bad for a 60-year-old. I do get a little tired saying “Wow – nice drive Hum!” and hearing him reply “Gosh it just doesn’t go anywhere when you hit it off the toe.”

And I always seem to pick up some odd, but useful tip from Tomm. On this particular day, we discussed for several holes the advantages of loosening your belly muscles before impact. I tried it – it works! So, I figured since we were stuck together for the next few hours or so, I may as well ask him a few questions and get this week’s Player Profile wrapped up for the week. So, this interview was conducted throughout one of our recent, typical rounds joking around and playing golf.

Age: 60

Hometown: Fish Creek and Green Bay

Home Course: Peninsula and Brown County

Handicap: Around 4, 5, 6

Best 18-hole score: 65 at Peninsula about three or four years ago. I had a flock of birdies and one bogey.

Hole-in-one(s)?: One about four or five years ago – number eight at Peninsula.

Favorite course ever played?: The most difficult and most monstrous course I ever played was the PGA West – TPC Stadium Course (A Pete Dye course in La Quinta, CA). The most fun course I ever played is probably Prairie Landing – a fun, links style course (in West Chicago, IL).

A favorite golf memory: It’s hard to pick one. I have so many good memories of playing out at the park with all the different people and all the fun we’ve had.

Golf accomplishment most proud of: Won the consolation in the Championship Flight of the Resorters’ a couple times. And won the A Flight a couple of times.

Favorite pro player (and why)?: Arnold Palmer. He was the number one guy when I was growing up. I always liked watching him play – he was aggressive and hard-charging.

Who’s your caddy (if you could choose one): Lee Sedlacek – a good friend of mine that I grew up with. He’s carried my bag for me a few times at the Resorters’.

Favorite or fantasy foursome: This one ain’t so bad. No – I guess if I could really pick, I would pick my mom and dad, who have both passed, and my brother. That would be the ultimate foursome.

Game strengths: I’m dynamite at #19 with my scrambling teammates. No seriously – I’m OK at driving and chipping.

What needs work: My iron play

Golf tip to share: Start with the basics: your grip, posture and stance. Your stance should almost be like how you sit on a barstool.

Interests outside of golf: Fishing, hunting. Sitting on my porch in Fish Creek and people watching.