Tiger Woods and the Top 15 Golfers/College Football Fans
Most people expect professional golfers to discuss what club they hit on each hole when they are off the course. In reality, they are as likely to discuss the latest college football game as they are the newest in driver technology.
"We like the same things everybody else does," says Georgia Tech faithful Stewart Cink.
And with the college bowl season in full bloom and the 2011 PGA Tour season just beginning, it is time to go over the top 15 golfers who also happen to bleed their school colors during football season.
15. Jeff Klauk
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Growing up in Florida, Jeff Klauk was always close to powerhouse football programs. To this day, he is still a big fan of college football.
Although, he went to Florida Southern, Klauk can be heard cheering for a variety of schools.
14. Tom Lehman (University of Minnesota)
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Lehman was born in Minnesota to a father who played four years under the legendary football coach John Gagliardi at St. John's University in Minnesota.
Tom's love of football was instilled by his father. Throughout his life, Tom has been a fan of his alma mater, the University of Minnesota.
13. Natalie Gulbis (University of Arizona)
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The members of the PGA Tour are not the only players who follow college football. In fact, many of the players on the LPGA Tour also love college football.
Natalie Gulbis went to college at the University of Arizona, a member of the Pac-10 conference. And even though it is not a historically strong football conference, Gulbis still loves the Arizona Wildcats and all of Pac-10 football.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
12. Brian Bateman (Louisiana State University)
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Bateman was born in Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that he is often found checking the score of the LSU game during his rounds.
11. Bo Van Pelt (Oklahoma State University)
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Bo Van Pelt is another player who has football in his blood. His father, Bob, was a standout at the University of Indiana and went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.
Bo attended college at Oklahoma State University and continues to cheer for OSU during football season.
10. Morgan Pressel (University of Michigan)
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Only the second female to make the list, Morgan Pressel is another huge college football fan on the LPGA Tour.
Pressel lists her favorite fall sport as college football. And her favorite team? None other than the University of Michigan, part of historically the strong Big Ten.
9. Nick Watney (Fresno State University)
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Nick Watney is another player who loves college football. Surprisingly, Watney did not attend a big, competitive football school like Alabama, instead attending Fresno State in California.
That does not mean he is any less apt to discuss the game than other player. "I think we are going to be pretty good this year," Watney said before the 2009 football season.
8. Steve Stricker (University of Illinois)
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Born in Wisconsin, it was a given Steve Stricker would be a football fan. After all, Wisconsin is in Big Ten territory.
Although he may have betrayed his origins by going to the University of Illinois, he was still in the heart of the Big Ten. And as a member of the Fighting Illini, Stricker let his love of football grow.
Even today Stricker will admit that his "interest (in golf tournaments) kind of went away a little bit because of the start of football season."
7. Lucas Glover (Clemson University)
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In Lucas Glover's case, football is actually in his blood. His grandfather, who he credits for instilling him his love of golf, was a standout football player at Clemson University and also played one season in the NFL.
It is not a shock that Glover followed in his grandfather's footsteps and played golf for Clemson and continues to cheer for the Tigers on game day.
6. Tiger Woods (Stanford University)
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When it came time for Tiger Woods to chose a college, he was being pursued by the top universities in the country.
The decision finally came down to University of Nevada at Las Vegas and Stanford University. And with Tiger being from California, it came as no surprise when he chose Stanford University.
During his two years at Stanford, Tiger had a phenomenal career. And even though he turned professional before graduating, he still has strong ties towards his school.
Whenever he is in the area, Tiger tries to catch a game, especially football.
5. Zach Johnson (University of Iowa)
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Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Zach Johnson grew up around football. From his youth, Johnson knew the only football team to cheer for was the University of Iowa. And although he went to Drake University, he still remains a diehard University of Iowa football fan.
"College football is a priority," says Johnson, "It's one of my passions."
4. Jason Bohn (University of Alabama)
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By attending the University of Alabama, a college in the ultra competitive Southeastern Conference, it was a given that Jason Bohn would love football.
On tour Bohn is often heard discussing the latest coaching decisions and the superiority of Alabama in the SEC.
3. Stewart Cink (Georgia Tech)
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If there is one area of the country that loves football more than any other, it is the south.
Being born in the south and going to college at Georgia Tech, Stewart Cink holds a place in his heart for Yellow Jacket football. "All we are out here is a bunch of people," claims Cink, who argues they like football just as much as the average Joe.
2. Scott Verplank (Oklahoma State University)
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Scott Verplank may be the most knowledgeable football fan in all of golf. In fact, if golf does not work out, the guy can probably find work as a commentator.
A diehard Oklahoma State University Cowboys fan, Verplank was dismayed when he drew an afternoon tee time that cut into an OSU game. "As soon as I finished, I ran in," explained Verplank. "So I sat there and watched the whole second half, screaming and hollering at the TV."
When being in contention in a tournament makes a player a little angry because it hampers his ability to catch a football game, you know he is a true fan.
1. David Toms (Louisiana State University)
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David Toms may take being a college football fan to a whole new level on the PGA Tour. The LSU product actually decides what tournaments he will play only after seeing the LSU football schedule.
"The first thing I look at when I plan my schedule in the beginning of the year is where the football games fall," Toms explains. Hey, a guy must have priorities!
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
