August 21, 2007

Periodically, The Gateway Tour will talk with one of our members to get an in depth look at his personality, goals, and golf experiences to give insight into the mind of a Gateway Tour member. This week, we sat down with Gateway Tour Desert Series veteran, Andy Walker, of Phoenix, AZ.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Age: 32
College: Scottsdale Community College, Pepperdine University
Year Turned Pro: 1999
Gateway Tour & Professional History / 2007 Results: 3 time Gateway Tour winner, 2002/2003 Nationwide Tour member, 18 / 23 cuts made, $ 66,901.57.



GT: So Andy, having played The Gateway Tour for a few years now, basically right in your backyard, where do you feel like you stand with your golf career?

AW: I feel like I’m a little behind where I anticipated being at this point, to be honest. I feel like I have ‘big show’ game, and I just have to find a way to get there…I feel like I just need to get past 2nd stage (of PGA Tour Qualifying) because I’ve been to Finals before with less game than I have now. I guess I feel like my golf career at this point is all about finding a way to get comfortable and getting through the PGA Tour Qualifying system.

GT: What drove you to turn professional in the first place and chase your dream that so many golfers have?

AW: I’m sure like a lot of guys, ever since I was 5 years old I knew I wanted to play golf. It’s always been a goal and a dream, and as long as I feel like I’m continuing to get better ever year, I’ll keep on playing…that goal will never diminish no matter where I’m at.

GT: You’ve just had your first child a few weeks ago…does that change your perspective on your profession of affect your game in any way?

AW: Well, I’d say if anything, there might now be a little more sense of urgency to get to the (PGA) Tour, because it’s not just me I’m providing for…it’s also now my family and there’s no doubt that’s something that goes along with my golf game now.

I’d also say my practice time has definitely been less…way less…but it’s also been much more focused because I don’t have any time to waste. I used to just be able to hang around the golf course like I used to and practice at my own pace, but now I really have to focus in on the task at hand, so in a way, I feel it’s a lot better.

GT: Have won once so far this year already, currently gearing up for The Gateway Tour Championship in Iowa, what are your goals for the rest of 2007?

AW: I definitely want to get another win in, and obviously the Tour Championship would be a good one to get it at…I’d say overall, I want to see the consistency I feel like I’ve been able to improve on this year, peak right around (PGA Tour) Q-school, because if I continue what I’ve been doing throughout this year, I should be able to get through, or at least have a shot, pretty easily.

GT: You’ve also got something else in the works you’ve been excited about this summer besides your Gateway Tour play and newborn child…would you mind explaining?

AW: I’m the Executive Director of the inaugural “Par & Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity”, with celebrity host, Seth Joyner, January 31, 2008…The event will be the premier auxiliary event during Super Bowl week, and we will have 25-50 “A” list celebrities featured, all to raise hopefully at least $250,000 for the “Teach for America” children’s foundation.

The idea came about after the Super Bowl was announced in Phoenix, and we thought there was some huge potential to have an event that would attract celebrities and could raise some serious money for kids…The event will be held at We Ko Pa Golf Club the Ft. McDowell Casino, and those interested can check out our website at www.parandpoker.com.

GT: Well, thanks for your time Andy…finally, from your Gateway Tour veteran viewpoint, do you have any advice for any young, ambitious players who are just starting their professional careers?

AW: I’d tell them to keep playing in as many tournaments as possible. Even with all of the practice, training, and other preparations for this game, there’s no substitute for playing tournaments…I’d also say there’s no specific blueprint for getting on Tour. There are a lot of different ways to get the job done, and I just mainly think there’s a lot to be said about getting in different situations from tournaments. The more tournaments you play in, the more situations you’ll encounter, and then the more prepared you’ll be. **

Click here for Andy's full profile...