GOLFING WITH NBA LEGENDS
Truth be told, the reason I got into golf so much is that it gave me an access to NBA legends that I would not have otherwise had. It was 2008 and I had just completed building my first sports complex in Houston, Texas. I had some vacant land on the side of the building, and I started to hit golf balls there all the time just trying to learn. I had lots of events where NBA players came to train or do camps, and a few of the older guys noticed me out there one day.
One of those guys was the late Moses Malone, Sr. Big Mo is certainly a legend, one of the NBA's all time top 50 greats. He saw me outside hacking away with my pitching wedge. He pulled over in his old gold Range Rover, popped the trunk, and pulled out a wedge or two. "Let me show you how to do it young fella," he said in his signature Moses Malone voice.
As he was taking his practice swings, people starting coming out of the gym to see what Big Mo and I were doing. By the time he addressed his ball to hit it, it was a nice little galley watching him. Big fella swung and BOOM! It took off to a nice high apex and fell softly by the target we set up out in the field. Then again.. BOOM! One more time.. BOOM!
One of those guys was the late Moses Malone, Sr. Big Mo is certainly a legend, one of the NBA's all time top 50 greats. He saw me outside hacking away with my pitching wedge. He pulled over in his old gold Range Rover, popped the trunk, and pulled out a wedge or two. "Let me show you how to do it young fella," he said in his signature Moses Malone voice.
As he was taking his practice swings, people starting coming out of the gym to see what Big Mo and I were doing. By the time he addressed his ball to hit it, it was a nice little galley watching him. Big fella swung and BOOM! It took off to a nice high apex and fell softly by the target we set up out in the field. Then again.. BOOM! One more time.. BOOM!
I think I won a few holes and wanted this photo to commemorate
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Golf Event with NBA legends Moses Malone and Ricky Pierce at Bear Creek golf course
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Someone in the crowd screamed out "MO THE PRO! MO THE PRO!" Big Moses just chuckled and laughed, then turn to me and said, "Keep practicing young fella, you're gonna get there."
We exchanged numbers that day, and about a week later, I got a call to come play with him and former NBA 6th man of the year Ricky Pierce. That was the start of a long relationship of weekly golf rounds with big Mo up until his passing away in 2015. I'd already known PIerce as he mentored and helped me when I was a teenager pursuing basketball, so it was cool to reconnect around golf.
It does something to your game when you play with greats. You know how serious and competitive these guys are about everything, so you definitely have to raise your game up, or stay home! I enjoyed some terrific stories, gained tremendous insight into so many important things in life, and certainly will always miss playing the Big Mo, or Mozilla as I called him.
Ricky Pierce is still the best golfer among ex NBA players that I played with 5 rounds or more, with Mike James giving Ricky a run for his money. Pierce was a known sharpshooter in the NBA, so its no surprise that he has played in the 70's several times when we played. He is a big reason I started to get my game together because I got tired of getting skunked by him. Now, its gonna be a game every time.
We exchanged numbers that day, and about a week later, I got a call to come play with him and former NBA 6th man of the year Ricky Pierce. That was the start of a long relationship of weekly golf rounds with big Mo up until his passing away in 2015. I'd already known PIerce as he mentored and helped me when I was a teenager pursuing basketball, so it was cool to reconnect around golf.
It does something to your game when you play with greats. You know how serious and competitive these guys are about everything, so you definitely have to raise your game up, or stay home! I enjoyed some terrific stories, gained tremendous insight into so many important things in life, and certainly will always miss playing the Big Mo, or Mozilla as I called him.
Ricky Pierce is still the best golfer among ex NBA players that I played with 5 rounds or more, with Mike James giving Ricky a run for his money. Pierce was a known sharpshooter in the NBA, so its no surprise that he has played in the 70's several times when we played. He is a big reason I started to get my game together because I got tired of getting skunked by him. Now, its gonna be a game every time.
Big Moses avoiding the ducks on an early morning round at Hermann golf course
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Moses arguing over strokes on the tee box!
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