We’d like to thank Ken for sharing today’s story.
I believe it was back in 2005. Bill Murray, being the golf nut that he is, came to play in the FedEx St. Jude Classic ProAm in Memphis, TN. My father and I have been the starters on the first tee for several years now. This year was a little different with a few celebrities in the mix. All of those who came were very nice on the first tee as we announced them off. Bill was no different. Perhaps a little funnier than the rest, and with a much larger crowd than all of the golfers that day. But just a nice guy. It was great to meet him.
After the morning groups get off, I tend to walk the course a bit and watch a few players. I knew Bill would be coming up number 9 soon so I headed over to the green to see him make the turn. Here’s where things got interesting. As Bill approached his putt, literally about to swing, a man yells out “$100 bucks you miss it!” Bill quickly turns and says, “make it a thousand“. He then proceeded to get the cash out of pocket and lay it on the green. Believe it or not, he then MADE the putt. It was unreal.
After the group finished the hole, it was reported that Bill found one of the volunteers and handed them $2,000. He told them to make sure it gets to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I only hope that the man who yelled out for the bet did the same. Great guy.