The GrillRoom: Things You Didn't Know About Lee

The GrillRoom with Lee Vannet
Inspired by the innovative GOLF PUNK magazine format, Lee offers an insight into his own golfing DNA. By the way,the magazine is awesome. Click on the link to see Golf Punk on-line.

What was your first job?

Started working weekends in Simpsons Golf Shop, Carnoustie. I got a great education in the art of clubmaking(made my first club at the age of 12 an Irv Schloss sand Wedge with a graphite shaft) from the owner Trevor Williamson.his great,great great uncle Jack Simpson won the Open.Those were the days when golf balls came individually wrapped.

Favourite Music?

As a kid I was really in to Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Rush and Rainbow.
I remember really being in to KISS as well, guess I have grown out of that now.

Give me Hendrix All Along the Watchtower and crank up the volume.


Have you ever played in a band.

No,but I have sung in public a few times.One time in Spain at Tour School, we were waiting in the departure lounge at Malaga,and the stewardess says the plane has been delayed for 1 hour. Well I get up and give it big licks to American Pie(I know all the verses),right after I finish, the stewardess announces it's time to board. Mind you it is a long song,or maybe the 500 travelers just didn't have any taste.

Best Live Band?

Saw RUSH in concert in Atlanta in 1986,nobody comes close to their drummer Neil Peart,guy is just amazing.Thin Lizzy were good to, Phil Lynnott was the coolest dude,all the women went crazy.

Best Golf Course?

Call me biased but Carnoustie is just the best.The condition of the course is just incredible, it really has come a long way from the course I grew up on. It truly is World Class in every way.

Lowest Round?

61-11 under par. Tobago Plantations.In 2003, I was recovering from back surgery, and hadn't been able to play any golf for 13 months . I was living in Trinidad and went to tobago for a holiday, my 3rd round I shoot 61. Just shows you what a crazy game this is.

Had any holes in one?

I have had 13 to date. But I'll tell you a funny story about holing my second shot on a par 4 during the Dutch Open. I've hit a low running 2 iron up to a plateau green,ball runs up towards the pin, but we can't see it finish. Their is one spectator standing on a hill behind the green, and as he hasn't clapped, I reckon the ball has run in to the bunker behind the green. When we arrive at the green, no ball to be seen. My caddie checks the hole, and there it is. As I walk to the next tee, I look at the spectator and ask him if their has been a lot of 2's here today.

Best Advice Given?

Walter Hagen used to say "Never Hurry and Never Worry" I think that's pretty good advice.

Remember it takes 10 years to become an overnight success,so you had better have plenty Patience.

More Background on Lee..

From British boys champion to a top 15 player on the European and Challenge Tour; Where did it all begin?

Having been brought up on the golf course where the legendary Ben Hogan won on his first and only outing in the Open in 1953 the stories of the man were indelibly printed in my mind by the time I was 12. He had to pre-qualify, two rounds and he was the current Masters and U.S. Open Champ - how times have changed.

Having found out about the man and his struggles to become the player he would be, I would have to put him as my all time Hero. Ben Hogan is a perfect example of desire, determination and dedication. He never ever gave up; he didn't know what it meant to give up.

Ben Hogan is an inspiration to me, for him to have developed a golf swing that produced the most talked about quality golf shots is remarkable. When you think they had no video, no swing guru, he truly did "Dig it out of the Dirt".

In 1991 I was ranked in the top 15 of the European & Challenge Tours. I am a lot better prepared now and know what it will take to climb to the highest levels of our game again. Ben Hogan's 'never give up" attitude has shown me the way.

Lee Vannet