Wake Forest Annual Pro-Am Curtis, Lanny and Scott are reminiscing by the pro shop. Jay is watching brother Jerry take some practice putts. Arnold is reminiscing with Jesse Haddock, while Billy is striking fear into the group with frightening golf cart maneuvers. Yes, that’s Strange, Wadkins, Hoch, the Haas brothers, Palmer and Andrade. One would seldom find such an array outside of the practice tee at a major — but this is the scene most every year at the Wake Forest Pro-Am, held the Monday before the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. Not even an unusually frosty April morning can dampen the spirits of those present — the Pro-Am brings together some of the world’s finest golfers who are also the best of friends. Curtis Strange wrote in GOLF Magazine, “I went to college to prepare myself to become a professional golfer. But what I received during my time in school turned out to be so much more. I made friendships that have lasted to this day. I learned lessons that have served me well. And, that’s not even mentioning what Wake Forest University did for my golf game. That’s why I don’t hesitate whenever the school asks me to come participate in the Wake Forest Pro-Am each year. And neither do a lot of people. “None of us who attend are paid any fees and all of us do so for a deep and abiding love for a school that treated us so well for so long. We feel we must continue to in the legacy of our coach, Jesse Haddock, who always told us we should contribute in some way. “It’s amazing to me that so many people come up and thank me for being there,” Strange wrote. “I think it should be the other way around.” “Wake Forest was very special to me, and I have always enjoyed my involvement with the school,” says Wadkins. “It gave a lot to me at a time when I needed it, helped me at a time when I needed direction, not only with my golf game, but in growing up. It is a very fun day. It is the one time that everybody is together – it’s a big reunion.” Recent Pro-Ams, drawing over 30 former Wake Forest golfers, have been the most successful yet. The event is an invaluable and unparalleled, money- raiser for the golf program which, in 1988, led to the dedication of the Jesse I. Haddock Golf Center. The Pro-Am continues to raise upwards of $125,000 annually. Financial support of the program is not the only benefit current Wake golfers reap from the event. In a unique blend of past, present and future, current Deacons serve as caddies for the men who are their predecessors and perhaps their heroes. “I first came to the Pro-Am when I was on my recruiting visit,” says former golfer Hans Albertsson. “The whole event showed me what golf really means to Wake Forest. You get a real sense of the tradition, not only from the coaches, but from all the former players present. It’s really a golfing fraternity, a family in a sense. It makes me very proud to be a part of it.” Top to bottom: Deacon greats present and past – Bill Haas and his father Jay Len Mattiace, WFU Associate Athletic Director Mike Pratapas, Robert Wrenn Robert Wrenn and Curtis Strange Coach Emeritus Jesse Haddock The Haas family: Jay Haas, mother Shirley Haas, uncle Bob Goalby (a former and Arnold Palmer Masters champion), WFU head coach Jerr Jay and Jerry Haas and Kyle Goalby are ally Haasformer, cousin WFU golfers,Kyle Goalb while Bill is a y, Bill Haas. currently a sophomore on the team. Scott Hoch (right) and his father, Art, a WFU baseball All- American, participate in the 2001 Pro-Am one day after Scott captured the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic title. 2002 Wake Forest Golf 36 Deacs in the Pros International Competition Billy Andrade Jay Haas Jerry Haas Gary Hallberg Scott Hoch Walker Cup 1987 Ryder Cup 1983, ‘95 Walker Cup 1985 Walker Cup 1977 Walker Cup 1978 Walker Cup 1985 Presidents Cup 1994, ‘96, ‘98 Presidents Cup 1994 Ryder Cup 1997 Joe Inman Chris Kite Jack Lewis Len Mattiace Eoghan Walker Cup 1969 Walker Cup 1987 Walker Cup 1967 Walker Cup 1987 OConnell Walker Cup 1989 (Ireland/Great Britain) Deacon Details The 2001 Ryder Cup, postponed for a year due to the terrorist attacks of this past fall, would certainly have had a Wake Forest flair. Former Deacon Curtis Strange was to serve as captain of the 2001 United States Ryder Cup team, while Scott Hoch, another WFU graduate, was to participate on the U.S. squad as well. Demon Deacons have played a key role on Ryder Cup squads through- out the years, as shown by the impressive list below.... Arnold Palmer Billy Joe Patton Jay Sigel Arnold Palmer Ryder Cup 1961, ‘63, ‘65, ‘67, Walker Cup 1955, ‘57, ‘59, Walker Cup 1977, ‘79, ‘81, ‘83, Seven time U.S. team member/1975 Team Captain ‘71, ‘73, ‘75 ‘63, ‘65 ‘85, ‘87, ‘89, ‘91, ‘93 Lanny Wadkins Nine time U.S. team member/1995 Team Captain Curtis Strange Six time U.S. team member/2001 Team Captain Jay Haas Two time U.S. team member Scott Hoch Jim Simons Curtis Strange Lanny Wadkins Two time U.S. team member Walker Cup 1971 Ryder Cup 1983, ‘85, ‘87, ‘89, ‘95 Ryder Cup 1977, ‘79, ‘83, ‘85, Walker Cup 1975 ‘87, ‘89, ‘91, ‘93, ‘95 2002 Wake Forest Golf 37 Deacs in the Pros Deacons in the Professional Ranks Billy Andrade the Year • four-time All-American Professional: Has three career PGA Attended WFU: 1983-87 (first-team in 1975 and ‘76) • helped victories and ranks 162nd on the ca- At Wake Forest • Four-time All-ACC Wake to two national titles (1974-75) reer money list. 2001: Split season • third-team All-American in 1984 and and four ACC titles (1973-76) • Fred between the PGA and Buy.com Tours honorable mention in 1985 and ‘86 • Haskins Award, 1975 • 1987 WFU • finished second at the Buy.com helped WFU to 1986 NCAA title • 1983 Sports Hall of Fame inductee. Samsung Canadian PGA Championship Rhode Island and New England Ama- Professional: Has nine career PGA • also served as a golf analyst for NBC/ teur champion • 1985 North/South Tour victories and ranks 32nd on the CNBC. 1999: Made the cut in three Amateur semifinalist •1982 Fresno career money list. 2001: Finished 92nd events • placed 42nd at the U.S. Open. State Pepsi Classic champion • 1984 on the money list after two top 10 finishes, including a fourth- 1998: Finished sixth at the Michelob Championship 1997: Iron Duke Classic and Palmetto Classic champion • 1984 Furman place at the B.C. Open • tied for 10th at the Greater Milwaukee Placed 20th at the LaCantera Texas Open. 1994: posted two top Invitational champion. Open after leading the first round with a 64 • made 15 cuts in 10 finishes, at The Players Championship and the Southwestern Professional • Has four career PGA Tour victories and ranks first 19 starts. 2000: Recorded three top 20 finishes. 1999: Bell Colonial. 1993: Placed 11th at the Phoenix Open. 1992: 51st on the career money list. 2001: Posted his highest season Placed 60th on the money list with five top 10s • finished third Won the Buick Southern Open. 1991: Finished second at the earnings with over $1.3 million • finished among the top 10 in at the PGA Championship and the Doral-Ryder Open. 1998: H.E.B. Texas Open. 1989: Recorded four top 20 finishes. 1988: six events, including a second-place finish at the Canon Greater Finished 56th on the money list with four top 10s, including Placed among the top 10 in three events • Won the 1988 Chrysler Hartford Open • produced a sixth-place finish at the PGA Cham- second at the Westin Texas Open. 1997: Posted four top 10s • Team Invitational with teammate Scott Hoch. 1987: Won the pionship, his best finish in a major since 1992 • finished 40th on placed fifth at the Buick Challenge, Sprint International, and U.S. Greater Milwaukee Open. 1983: Captured his first PGA Tour the season money list. 2000: Finished the season ranked among Open in ‘97 • ranked 57th on the 1997 money list. 1996: Had victory at the San Diego Open. 1980: Named the PGA Tour’s the top 50 on the official money list for the seventh time in the four top 10s, including second at the LaCantera Texas Open. 1995: Rookie of the Year • became the first Tour player to earn playing last 10 years • season earnings of $952,027 ranked 45th on the Outstanding at The Masters, with a third-place finish • finished privileges without going through the Qualifying Tournament. Tour • won the Invensys Classic in Las Vegas with rounds of 67- 16th on the money list • member of the ‘95 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Career Earnings: $2,408,745 (162nd all-time) 67-63-67-68 • his third-round 9-under-par 63 was his lowest 18 1994: Placed third at the ‘94 Buick Classic. 1993: Won the hole score of the year and 72 hole total of 24-under-par 264 H.E.B. Texas Open and finished 10th at the Tour Championship • ranked tied for fifth best on Tour • finished t10th at the Buick was the top WFU alum on the money list for the second straight Scott Hoch Challenge. 1999: Ranked 188th on the 1999 money list • top year • other victories include: ‘92 FedEx St.