[Sambo-Chris]

How Willie Nelson helped me swap sticks for drivers

Get in the hole

Tico Torres
Saturday September 27, 2003
The Guardian

It was a bit windy yesterday, and for players of my ability even small changes can put you off your game. I've been coming here since 1996, and I remember one year when it rained so hard I couldn't hold my clubs, they just kept flying out of my hands. Compared to then the weather this year has been magnificent, but that doesn't make it easy.

Golf might not sit comfortably with people's idea of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle but in fact there's quite a lot of musicians who play it. Alice Cooper is probably the most well-known, but I was introduced to the sport by Willie Nelson.

Willie owns a course in Texas, and about 10 years ago he took me out there with a seven-iron and a putter, and I was hooked. Now I always take my clubs on tour with me, and try to get out as often as I can. When you're on the road you spend so long stuck in hotel rooms it's always great just to get some fresh air.

I play as many of these events as I can, though I would say this has to be the best one I've ever been at. Normally I prefer to watch golf on television rather than go to events myself, so this is my one chance to watch the players up close. I play off a 15 handicap, so I can't really compare myself to them, but I've just moved from New York City to Florida, so hopefully I'll be able to practise a bit more regularly in future.

You get these guys who have been playing golf since they were five, they play with such a passion. It's like when I play the drums, which was my hobby as a kid and has become my pro fession. I can kind of associate with them like that.

You might think that drumming would improve my hand-eye coordination but I don't think it makes a difference. I do have my hands insured with Lloyds of London - it's scary the number of people who rely on me to make a living, and I've got to be able to look after them - but I wouldn't say that golf puts me at risk. It's just a great way to get out and meet new people from different walks of life. On Thursday we felt the greens were a bit slow. I've been playing with Trevor Immelman, who just told me to make sure I didn't leave my putts short, which of course I did. Yesterday the wind got up a bit, but I'm not really here to show off how good I am - watching the pros is really what it's all about. I'm just here to play a bit and enjoy myself.

· When he is not on the golf course Tico Torres is Bon Jovi's drummer

[RichieW2001]

thank you!

hands insured?! jesus! i'm guessin they did that after dave's injury.

[BoNjOvIbabee]

LOL did anyone else find that hilarious?? I did! First, Tico playing golf, I dunno, it just makes me giggle. Like I associate him more of the mob boss type so I am like imagining him in like plaid pants...hehehe.

He has his hands insured?? Was he being serious? If so, that's really funny too...That would be like...I can't even relate it to anything!! i hope he wasn't being sarcastic because then I'd feel like an idiot, but these things go over my head sometimes.

[sohosid]

Why does it surprise people that his hands are insured??? Bon Jovi is a business...with hundreds of people either directly or indirectly employed by them. No drummer, no music, no money. That has to be covered. Suppose they had a huge world tour booked, and Tico busted his hands and couldn't play....I'm fairly sure that a band as solid as Bon Jovi wouldn't call in a replacement, so you have to cancel the tour - who pays for that...who pays the promoters, the merchandisers??

I'd bet that they all have bits n pieces insured...if Richie doesn't have his hands insured he's an idiot!

[spunkywho]

this is quite common actually. Dolly Parton insured her boobs, cause you know where she would be without them

I think Springsteen insured his voice.

Quite logical, actually, I am insured as well. Not in body parts (cause they won't generate any revenue for me, lol), but I have disability insurance. All the same thing.

[Keba]

Originally Posted by RichieW2001

thank you!

hands insured?! jesus! i'm guessin they did that after dave's injury.

Which one?

[ShaSha]

Originally Posted by Keba

Which one?

He cut off the tip of his index finger with a saw about 5 years ago.