5 Questions With… PGA TOUR’s Mark Wilson

It has been awhile since I’ve had the opportunity to interview a personality from the world of golf, especially from the PGA TOUR. Luckily, fellow Chicagoan Mark Wilson was willing to take part in our “5 Questions With…” segment recently and provided some great answers to our usual set of questions.

Just as a reminder, all interviewees are asked the same five simple, general questions related to the game of golf with the goal of providing a unique look into their lives. Past guests on the segment have included ESPN’s Jason Sobel, the PGA TOUR’s John Daly, and ESPN’s Paul Azinger. Read on to learn more about the PGA TOUR’s Mark Wilson.

Mark Wilson originally hailed from Menomonee Falls, WI and turned pro in 1997. A huge Green Bay Packer fan, Wilson would eventually move to “enemy territory” in the Chicagoland area (Elmhurst) which he has called home ever since. He has recorded four PGA TOUR career wins, including two in 2011, and has earned over $10 million in career prize winnings.

1) Where did you receive your first set of golf clubs?

Mark Wilson: My father cut down many clubs for me when I was a toddler but my first full set of clubs was a hand me down from my mother when I was about ten years old.  They were a set of Wilson clubs, 3 iron through Sand Wedge and I remember being so obsessed with Ping Eye2 irons that I put decals on the face of each club in the corner with the iron number.

2) Who did you look up to in the golfing world when growing up?

Certainly my father, who was a 2 handicap at one point in his life, because I measured everything in my game up to his game.  I remember how I wanted to just get two shots of mine up to his one.  He jokes that that is reversed now.  In terms of professional players, Mark Calcavecchia and Fred Couples were always tops on my list growing up.  And it has been super cool playing with both of them on the PGA TOUR.  Calc still has the power fade and Freddie hits it so solid with every club that his distance control is something else.

3) What was the best golf tip you received when learning to play the game?

It was probably to play my own game.  I was always one of the shortest, smallest players, no matter the age group and I learned to not care how it looked and just get the ball in the hole as soon as possible.  I recall how good my game was from 30 yards and in when I was 14 years old.  I frustrated plenty of bigger kids by getting up and down from anywhere.

4) If you could play a match against anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

The number one player in the world at the time because I’d like to measure my game up against what is considered best.  So right now it would be Luke Donald.  I guess that shouldn’t be so difficult since we both live in the Chicagoland area.  However I see him primarily at TOUR events.

5) What is the most annoying golf term used on television today?

I loved watching golf growing up and even into my professional years.  Sadly it has dwindled recently because of how dramatic some of the commentators make a round of golf.  I realize they are trying to produce a product that sells so the more drama the better.  However, from my experience when I am playing well, I don’t focus on any of the things they think I focus on.  They see patterns of shots, putts, etc. where if I am on, I am so into the present moment that I don’t remember what I did up to that point that day.  I would prefer that the commentators focus on the details of each shot, meaning yardage, wind direction, firmness of green, best place to putt from, side to miss it and so on.

Many thanks to Mark for his time and willingness to participate in our segment, as well as his candor and honesty with our questions. Here’s hoping that his 2012 season is even more successful than the last.