   
| Q&A: Jerry Pate  Editor's Note: Jerry Pate gave THE PLAYERS Championship one of its most memorable moments after he won in 1982. Since this is the 25th anniversary of his victory there, PGATOUR.com sat down with Pate at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf to discuss that special win.  (WireImage)
PGATOUR.com: This is the 25th anniversary of your win at THE PLAYERS Championship. Does it feel like it's been that long? Pate: It doesn't. It went by quickly. I had a lot of years I didn't play much and I've had five shoulder surgeries between now and then so it's been a long comeback to get back and play after having so many years off. PGATOUR.com: What do you remember most about that day? Pate: The excitement of winning and throwing the Commissioner Deane Beman and Pete Dye the architect into the lake and then jumping in afterwards was a very memorable event. PGATOUR.com: Where do you think it ranks on the all-time unforgettable PLAYERS moments? Pate: I think they had a poll and it was the number one most memorable. I'd would say so. Anytime you throw the Commissioner of golf into the lake and you throw the architect in and you follow it up by a win. I birdied the last two holes with an orange golf ball that was pretty exciting. I hit it about two feet on the last hole for a gimmie birdie that thrilled the crowd. So there were a lot of memories there. PGATOUR.com: Was that the first win at TPC Sawgrass? Pate: It was the first one at the Stadium Course. We played at Sawgrass across the street. PGATOUR.com: Have you gotten a chance to play the course lately? Pate: I played it this Monday in the Commissioner's Cup. They've done a nice job redoing it. The fairways are nice and firm. The ball is rolling and the new putting greens are going to create some nice challenges for the players. PGATOUR.com: Did you think it had changed a lot since your win? Pate: Oh yeah, it's not even the same golf course. It's changed dramatically. They've made it a lot easier around the greens. The greens were very severe, very penal and they've softened the greens up and with the contours, made it much easier to accept a shot. They've made it much easier. PGATOUR.com: Who's your pick to win the 2007 PLAYERS? Pate: Shoot, I have Tiger Woods. PGATOUR.com: The winner of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship gets a spot in THE PLAYERS the next year. Does that make you want to win that tournament even more? Pate: Sure. Yeah, I'm going to win it this next year so I can get it and play again. |
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