Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Aaro » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00


I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he
do something wonderful or say something funny once that forever
endeared him to the crowd?

If you heard the joke or saw the ingratiating moment please fill me
in, otherwise I'll just take him as another inexplicable fad, like
Adam Sandler.

Aaron

ps. Please don't respond by mentioning the tour victories. Everyone
likes a winner, but crowd favorites usually evolve from some sort of
bond that takes place between the golfer and the crowd. I've never
seen anything that makes me want to root for the guy.

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Jessica Bla » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Well first of all he is a nice guy.  His dad was a great golfer and
people like to see someone carry on a family tradition by actually being
good and not just because of the name.  He also is one of the longest
hitters on tour and predates Tiger and John Daly, so some people started
liking him when he was the only one smashing balls 300 yards.

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Card » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:
>Well first of all he is a nice guy.

And that's an understatement.  In the past couple of years, there have been at
least half a dozen stories on this newsgroup from folks who have met Davis
personally, and it seems everyone goes out of their way to mention his
kindness, generosity, and warm humor.  Also, if you know his personal story --
the relationship he had with his dad, his relationship with his brother -- you
can't help but root for him.

A great guy and a great golfer -- that's good enough for me.  If you think his
personality is dull, just concentrate on what he does with a golf ball and
you'll have all the e***ment you need.

John L

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Dan Kin » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

I've never understood the appeal of Love.  His public persona is of a stuck-up
rich kid. But I've occasionally hung out with him and his brother, smoking
cigars and drinking scotch.  They are two of the nicest golfers I've ever met
away from the golf course.

I think part of it was when he was young and his go for broke style appealed
to fans.  The kid could hit it a mile, and fans are drawn to that style play.
 He was also a good friend of Fred Couples, so some of it might have been
reflected glow from Couples.

But lately it might even be more out of sympathy for the death of his very
much loved father. I know he is one of my favorite golfers, but that is
because I do some what know him. Not like we are personal friends, (everytime
we meet I reintroduce myself) but we have had some very interesting
conversations.



Quote:
> I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
> he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he
> do something wonderful or say something funny once that forever
> endeared him to the crowd?

> If you heard the joke or saw the ingratiating moment please fill me
> in, otherwise I'll just take him as another inexplicable fad, like
> Adam Sandler.

> Aaron

> ps. Please don't respond by mentioning the tour victories. Everyone
> likes a winner, but crowd favorites usually evolve from some sort of
> bond that takes place between the golfer and the crowd. I've never
> seen anything that makes me want to root for the guy.

Dan King

"He [Costantino Rocca] had so much pressure on him. I feel bad for him. He
had a whole country behind him. I told him he should be proud, that he played
hard. I wish the ending had been different, that I'd birdied the last two.
But he probably wouldn't feel much better if I had."  --Davis Love III (on
his pivotal match against Rocca at the 1993 Ryder Cup)

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Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by JerseyFo » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

I must agree, he is a very generous person . I photograph athletes for
magazines and books, both coffee table style and instructional and Love III is
the real thing. With all the prima donnas in sports I will only root for the
nice guys anymore. Why waste your breath on those jerks, in any sport.  Plain,
dull, unexciting, maybe. Better are, skilled, honest, competitive, and nice
guy. Kite got this rap, Duval is fighting it, two big money winners in my book,
two great swings too !
Basketball player Bill Bradley was the dullest shooter of them all, but a
winner, and a respected senator, maybe our next President.
I'll root for Davis. With a name like LOVE, what's not to like.
 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Loudon Brig » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

>>Well first of all he is a nice guy.

>And that's an understatement.  In the past couple of years, there have been at
>least half a dozen stories on this newsgroup from folks who have met Davis
>personally, and it seems everyone goes out of their way to mention his
>kindness, generosity, and warm humor.  Also, if you know his personal story --
>the relationship he had with his dad, his relationship with his brother -- you
>can't help but root for him.(CLIP)

After that awesome incident at the PGA, where "someone" arranged a
rainbow in the background as he sank the winning putt, I'm not taking
any chances on aggravating that "someone." I LIKE DAVIS LOVE III
--


"How Can You Not Like A Game Where It's Okay To
 Get Teed Off, Tote A Six-Iron, Shoot Birdies,
 and If You're Under Par It's A Great Day!"

(from "Frank & Ernest" by Bob Thaves -- used with permission)

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Cecc » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Saw  him, yesterday in L.A.  

Why is he popular?  He hits the ball a long way,  and the crowds around him
aren;t as big as those around Tiger.

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Jim Ti » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00


Quote:
>Well first of all he is a nice guy.  His dad was a great golfer and
>people like to see someone carry on a family tradition by actually being
>good and not just because of the name.  He also is one of the longest
>hitters on tour and predates Tiger and John Daly, so some people started
>liking him when he was the only one smashing balls 300 yards.

He had just about the best nickname on tour, too!  "3D".  (In reference to
his length, with a cute play on his name.)

--

"And if you're a miner, when you're too tired and old and sick and stupid
to do your job properly, you have to go, whereas just the opposite applies
with the judges."  Beyond the Fringe

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Jim Ti » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00


Quote:
>A great guy and a great golfer -- that's good enough for me.  If you think his
>personality is dull, just concentrate on what he does with a golf ball and
>you'll have all the e***ment you need.

>John L

In an interview on TGC, he answered questions about his demeanor on the
course.  He rhetorically asked something like, "If I were an accountant,
would I have a big smile on my face while I was doing the books?  Would I
be laughing and whistling while I added up the figures?  Would people not
like me because I wasn't having a great time doing my job?  I am enjoying
myself out there, I really am, but it's not the kind of enjoyment that puts
a smile on my face until the day's work is finished."  (This is NOT a
quote, just the jist of what he said.)

And I'm reminded of Tom Landry, "I can't smile and think at the same time."

--

"And if you're a miner, when you're too tired and old and sick and stupid
to do your job properly, you have to go, whereas just the opposite applies
with the judges."  Beyond the Fringe

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Joe Cartpat » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

For one thing, he always seems like such a genuinely nice guy. For another,
he's always been one of the longest players on tour. We may all talk about
the importance of the short game, but nothing quite matches the fun of
watching someone hit the ball a mile.
Look who draws the biggest crowds - Woods, Daly, Couples, Love....
--

http://home.midsouth.rr.com/joecartpath
Quote:

>I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
>he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he
>do something wonderful or say something funny once that forever
>endeared him to the crowd?

>If you heard the joke or saw the ingratiating moment please fill me
>in, otherwise I'll just take him as another inexplicable fad, like
>Adam Sandler.

>Aaron

>ps. Please don't respond by mentioning the tour victories. Everyone
>likes a winner, but crowd favorites usually evolve from some sort of
>bond that takes place between the golfer and the crowd. I've never
>seen anything that makes me want to root for the guy.

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Thor Collar » Mon, 22 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:


> > I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
> > he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he

One of the reasons I like him is he stuck to persimmon longer than
anybody else.  I remember following him around Muirfield at the Memorial
just to hear the sweet sound of his persimmon driver - musical to my
ears.
 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by T Wei » Tue, 23 Feb 1999 04:00:00

For me it was when he won the '97 PGA, his first major, with his brother
caddying for him and that rainbow overhead and his entire family at the
18th green cheering him on while the announcers spoke of Davis' life-long
bond with his father also a professional golfer who had taught Davis to
play and had recently passed away.  That was as much true emotion as I
think I'll probably ever experience while sitting in front of a television
set.  The look of joy and happiness on his face when he sank that last putt
was one I'll never forget.

TW



Quote:
> I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
> he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he
> do something wonderful or say something funny once that forever
> endeared him to the crowd?

> If you heard the joke or saw the ingratiating moment please fill me
> in, otherwise I'll just take him as another inexplicable fad, like
> Adam Sandler.

> Aaron

> ps. Please don't respond by mentioning the tour victories. Everyone
> likes a winner, but crowd favorites usually evolve from some sort of
> bond that takes place between the golfer and the crowd. I've never
> seen anything that makes me want to root for the guy.

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Bam9 » Wed, 24 Feb 1999 04:00:00

For the person questioning Davis' popularilty, I hope you caught the tape
replay of Davis on Golf Talk Live the other night.   He really does seem like a
quality person.

Brian

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Robert J. Dietri » Wed, 24 Feb 1999 04:00:00


Quote:

>I never got why everyone likes Davis Love III. As far as I can tell,
>he's about as interesting as a shoe horn. Did I miss something? Did he
>do something wonderful or say something funny once that forever
>endeared him to the crowd?

If you can hit it 300 yards, you'll be a favorite.  If you could go see
Pete Rose or Babe Ruth, who would you pick?
I love Davis' swing.  His tempo is awesome.  

Bob Dietrich

 
 
 

Davis Love III: A Crowd Favorites? What Gives?

Post by Joseph Tyso » Sun, 28 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Many years ago, I was visiting a friend on St Simons Island, Ga. He had a
few things to take care of in the office prior to our early afternoon tee
time.
We were playing Sea Island and I went over to the course to hit some balls
while he took care of business.
The driving range at Sea Island is (or was) quite short, perhaps 275 yards
to the trees at the far side of the range.
I was hitting irons and rather well I thought. . . until I noticed the tall
young fellow hitting balls a few yards away.
The kid was send 5 irons into the trees on a hop or two. The tempo was
awesome, beautiful as well. Watching the kid swing was nearly hypnotic.
Later, I found out it was 3D, Davis Love III.
I don't know if he's funny or witty, but I love to watch him play.