Comcast SportsNet Celtics analyst Donny Marshall plays golf every day. He owns a golf course, and has competed in numerous Pro-Am tournaments with the likes of Brad Faxon, Jeff Sluman, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Donald Trump. Given this resume, you would think that the 39 year-old Detroit native is a golf lifer, but not true.
“1997 was the first year I ever touched a club,” says Marshall, a former UConn hoops star (Class of 1995) who played six years in the NBA with Cleveland, New Jersey and Milwaukee. “I was with the Cavaliers, and was invited to play in celebrity a long drive competition at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut. “I had never played golf, so I called my closest friend in the world, Chuck Grodovich, who owned a couple of courses in the Hartford area. He asked me when the competition was. I told him, ‘Two hours.’ Chuck took me to the range and we hit balls for 90 minutes. My hands were so sore. He told me to keep my eye on the ball and swing hard. I still follow those lessons today.”
With the likes of Greg Norman, John Daly and thousands of spectators watching, Marshall hit two excellent drives of 275 and 300 yards. He was hooked. “The late Bobby Phills was a mentor to me with the Cavaliers. Bobby told me that the most important thing in life is relationships, and that on the golf course, you meet people that you wouldn’t meet any other place.” Along with Grodovich, Marshall now co-owns The University Club of Connecticut in North Windham. “It’s overwhelming sometimes, but it’s a lot of fun,” says Marshall. “Fifteen years after I graduated college, I’m finally using my Business Management degree.”
An All-American soccer star in high school, Marshall did not start playing basketball until the 10th grade. Ever the late-bloomer, he attacked golf as he did hoops. “I just put my headphones on and practiced two to three hours a day. Still do. I take a ton of notes. It’s just me, the golf ball and the course. I take pride in my game.” Marshall’s favorite courses bring him back to his roots growing up in Seattle. He states, “I love The Home Course in DuPont, WA near Chambers Bay. My other favorite is Washington National. When I was playing in Cleveland, I really loved Firestone CC in Akron. Locally, I do like the Boston Golf Club. It’s a pure course with no carts. You have to walk the course.”
Golf can often make for interesting anecdotes. Marshall shares one such story. “I was playing in a Pro-Am at Mohegan Sun with Ahmad Rashad, Bill Murray and Charles Barkley. My mom was there with me. Later in the day, my mother came to me and said, ‘Who is William Murray? He gave me his number and said he would love to get together sometime. He was very nice.’ “Later that evening, I was sitting with all the guys, including Bill, and I said that my mom got asked out by some guy named William Murray. Does anyone know who that is? Caddyshack is my favorite movie, so it was great.” Marshall has talked shop on the course with luminaries of entertainment, business and sports, but his favorite playing partner is closer to home. “My 10-year-old daughter Savannah has started playing,” he relates. “She has an excellent swing and hits from the white tees. We’ll be driving around and see a course, and she’ll ask if we can stop and play a couple holes. It’s awesome.”
As for the ongoing NBA lockout, Marshall sees a December or January start date for the season, noting that star players such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James need to get more involved. He relates, “During the 1998-99 lockout, Jordan was an established star. He didn’t have to step up, but he did.” Each time Marshall steps up to the tee, a new learning experience begins. He states, “This game is day-to-day. It’s an ongoing process. I remember an interview I saw with Tiger Woods. He said, ‘If I get to the range and I’m hitting fades, I’m going to play fades that day.’ I agree. You shouldn’t challenge the golf gods.”
John Molori is a columnist for numerous publications and websites. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
About John Molori
Columnist John Molori writes for numerous publications and appears regularly on several radio stations.
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