Celebrities

This is not meant as braggadocio, just facts from a guy who's been terribly lucky in a career that's afforded him the opportunity to do something he absolutely loves to do:  take photographs.  And in the course of a photo trek spanning decades, I've had the opportunity to photograph some well-known, individuals.  From Sports..... Dallas Cowboys' Legendary  Bob Lilly; Philadelphia/Chicago/Dallas "Iron Mike" Ditka, Coach Darryl Royal, LPGA Superstar Anika Sorenstrom, and golf legend Charles Coody, the 1971 Master's Champion.  From Showbiz...C&W Renegade Willie Nelson,  The Four Freshman, Las Vegas Headliner Phil Harris; and from Politics, President George W. Bush.

But it's been two recent Celebrity subjects who've had as much effect on me as any of recent memory.

Recognize this one?  It's not an original label, but I like to refer to him as "The Clown Prince of Golf"; David Feherty.  His off-the-wall, impossible-to-script observations are hilarious, whether he's walking the fairway for NBC Sports or sitting in-studio, one-on-one,  interviewing a person of note as part of  his immensely successful "Feherty" show on the Golf Channel.  But the most ingratiating thing about David Feherty is when you're with him off-camera.  Approachable, warm, witty and accommodating....and he was all of these things as both a guest speaker and auctioneer when I photographed him at a recent First Tee tournament to raise funds for this non-profit organization.

If one celebrity wasn't enough for the same First Tee event, add one other:  Everybody's All-American, Jordan Spieth.  On hand to conduct a putting clinic for tournament participants, this Master's 2015 Champion is recognized as one of golf's most proficient putters, so he knows from whence he speaks when it comes to the art of one of golf's most delicate and demanding talents.

But it doesn't take long to realize that one of the games most successful golfers, still in his 20's, isn't adverse to getting in the thick of things.  This became obvious as Jordan put on an apron, along with fellow pro Harrison Frazier, host pro of the Trinity Forest event, and began serving bar-b-que to hungry participants prior to tee-off.  Their combined "Hook  'em Horns" salute left not doubt as to their Longhorn loyalty.

The best, however, was yet to come with a tournament finale that included the auctioning off of a genuine Masters tournament flag signed by every living winner of golf's premier tournament.
And who best to stir up the crowd than the irrepressible Mr. Feherty, utilizing a talented, straight man by the name of Jordan.

The bottom line of all this hilarity was a handsome new wall hanging with a winning bid just north of $24,000, and all credit goes to two of my all-time favorite celebrities, Feherty and Spieth.  And as a final bonus, check out the driver of the cart who volunteered to haul the winning bidder and his spoils safely to his car.... a fitting conclusion to a fantastic tournament thanks to a fabulous duo.