18 Questions With … Jack Newman

Jack Newman arrived at the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links hoping to be one of 64 golfers who advanced to match play. Then, he figured, anything could happen — and it did. Newman defeated 2007 USA Walker Cup members Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel en route to winning the title at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colo. The 21 year old from Des Moines, Iowa, recently finished his junior season at Michigan State University and chatted on subjects ranging from his favorite reality television show to his experience at the Masters in April.

Do you have a Facebook account? If yes, how many friends do you currently have? If more than 150, do you really know all those people?

NEWMAN: I used to have a Facebook account, but I deactivated it a couple months ago, but I will be getting it started again here in a couple weeks. I have around 650 friends, and, no, I do not know all of them.

Are you thinking about the 2009 Walker Cup Match at Merion in September?

NEWMAN: If I am going to think of Walker Cup, I have to win a couple notable tourneys this summer.

Was the Masters experience everything you thought it would be even though you missed the cut? Is there one particular memory?

NEWMAN: The Masters was everything I thought it would be and more. Augusta National lived up to all of its hype. The tournament conditions were amazing, and playing in front of the crowds there was unforgettable. There are so many memories I took away from there that it is tough to single out just one. Having my whole family there was great, but on top of that I had my dad caddie for me in the Par-3 contest and my brother Andy caddie for me during the tournament. Looking back on it, in a golfing perspective, it would have to be making birdie on four of my last five holes the first day. Having the crowd erupt for me on 15, 16, and 18 was unreal.

Speaking of that finish, you were four over through 13 holes and then went on a birdie binge. How gratifying was it to close like that on what is arguably one of the world’s toughest courses?

NEWMAN: It was something that I didn’t even know was happening. And then when you finish … it kept me smiling for a little while.

You won the U.S. Amateur Public Links, but then failed to make the match-play draw at the U.S. Amateur. Did that put into perspective just how hard it is not only to reach match play, but then go on to win?

NEWMAN: Yeah it does, because you’re competing against the best in the world. Making it past each stage is a battle in itself. To go on and win is even tougher because you have to make it past so many people in stroke play and then hopefully not catch anyone in match play that is playing hot, unless you are getting hot yourself. (Laughter).

Throughout the college football and basketball seasons we hear a lot about Sparty, the Michigan State mascot. Does Sparty play golf? If so, any idea what handicap and favorite club?

NEWMAN: I do not know the actual person behind the Sparty outfit. I have actually heard that there are four people. They all seem very athletic, but I don’t know how they would be in golf. (Laughter)

OK, you have 24 hours in a day. Break them down. What do you do, and how much relates to golf?

NEWMAN: For the average weekday during the winter in the second semester, it started at 6 a.m. with putting for an hour. Our team’s practice started at that time and then I would be off to class. Workouts would start at 2:45 p.m. and go until 3:45 p.m. Then at 4:30 p.m. practice always started, and that would last for a little while. Then I would practice on my own time for another hour or two. I usually was finished with golf for the day by 7 p.m. or so. Eat dinner and then would do whatever needs to be done for school. My day would consist of four and a half to six hours a day of golf, but it all depended on what the demands of school were.

Is there a favorite quote that you adhere to or what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

NEWMAN: "Fall down seven, stand up eight." Or another is, "You can have anything you want, so long as you don’t want it too badly."

What’s your favorite subject in school? Least favorite?

NEWMAN: I like learning about people and how everyone operates in different situations, so sociology classes are probably my favorite. Least favorite … history classes.

What’s your closest encounter with greatness? Someone you’ve met who made you just step back and say, ‘Wow, that was pretty neat.’

NEWMAN: Well, during practice rounds at Augusta, I played with Rocco Mediate for nine holes and then [2003 APL champion] Brandt Snedeker and Boo Weekley for 18 holes on Sunday. Then Monday I played with [fellow Iowa native] Zach Johnson. Tuesday I played with [2008 British Amateur champion] Reinier Saxton, [2005 USA Walker Cup member] Anthony Kim and Todd Hamilton. On Wednesday I played nine holes with Kenny Perry and [2007 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup member] Rory McIlroy.

I got a great opportunity to play with [1984 U.S. Open champion] Fuzzy Zoeller and Sandy Lyle in the Par-3 contest — that was an experience of a lifetime. One person that I was sort of impressed with was [1982 U.S. Open champion] Tom Watson. I was pretty pumped to get the chance to meet him. He is from the Midwest (Kansas City) and he was always a family favorite.

In the immediate aftermath of winning a championship, every champion says, "It feels great" or "I can’t believe it," but it takes some time to fully appreciate what you accomplished. When did that come for you after winning the U.S. Amateur Public Links?

NEWMAN: I don’t think I really started to appreciate it until I was in the middle of the first semester.

If you could be the Czar of Golf, what one rule would you change or implement?

NEWMAN: Play the ball up in the fairway at all times. You should be rewarded if you hit it in your own fairway, and not be penalized if you hit it in a divot or have a mud ball.

What is your favorite shot to hit?

NEWMAN: Knockdown.

Favorite reality TV show?

NEWMAN: Rob and Big [on MTV].

What’s the best part of playing golf?

NEWMAN: No shot is the same.

What does golf teach you about life?

NEWMAN: Patience!!!

If golf is such a simple game, why are there so many instruction books? And have you read any?

NEWMAN: Golf is a simple game for a guy who just wants to have fun, but for a competitive guy it’s very strenuous and that’s why so many people think they need instruction books. I have read one instruction book that was pretty good, and that was Harvey Penick’s book, "My Little Red Book."

What three courses would be on your bucket list to play?

NEWMAN: Well, Augusta National was atop of that list, but now these are my three: Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Merion.