Laughter from Memphis

Golf is a serious game. Golf is also a humbling game in that to play it effectively over a period of time you have to incorporate humor in order to survive its hardships on one’s body, mind and spirit.

It seems as though laughter has been at a minimum the last two weeks. Maybe it was the announcement concerning Amy Mickelson and the "Pink Out Day" at Colonial. Possibly it was the prestige and competitiveness of Jack's Memorial Tournament.

Whatever the reason, it is good to smile at a few of the player and reporter interactions.

Laughter as a result of player comments about most everything was evident around the TPC Southwind golf course last week at the St. Jude Classic. Here are some of the more notable humorous comments captured in player interviews throughout the week.

At the end of the week as usual the champion had the last laugh though I have to admit I did not get what was funny. Must be a local thing.

Robert Allenby when asked about what went right during his stretch of birdies over four holes. "It went in the hole."

Paul Goydos whose ex-wife passed on recently when asked what that has been like: "Obviously not a very pleasant experience. But, we're all going to die, as far as I can tell. I'm working on not dying. No one has really been successful yet."

Brian Gay when asked about the state of his health. "The back is fine. My neck is still tight and sore. I don't know if there's something else going on in there or not. I don't think it's bothering me as far as swinging the club, but (it's) just kind of a pain in the neck."

Tim Herron when asked about John Daly's coming back after some time away with a makeover. "What, a Hollywood makeover?"

Justin Leonard when asked if he remembered any distinct New York moments in the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage: "Especially in the practice rounds, 'how do you like our course' at least a few times a hole."

David Toms who always plays well in Memphis when asked about his thoughts of the final year of the tournament needing a title sponsor. "I'm going to do what I can . In fact, I might sponsor it myself."

The champion Brian Gay when questioned if he came to Memphis and ate crepes: "I ate a philly steak crepe, but I didn't like it."

Save the Philly steaks for Philadelphia?

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering for the tournaments and working part time for NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and The Golf Channel. He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him at [e-mail]