Interview With Tim McNeely, Tournament Director, The Greenbrier Classic

Below is an interview with Tim McNeely, Tournament Director, The Greenbrier Classic. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

What is your current home course?
I live in Lewisburg , WV , and work at The Greenbrier. So, my current home course would be all of the courses at The Greenbrier. I'm also a member of the Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport , WV .

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Being asked by Greenbrier owner - Jim Justice, to serve as the Tournament Director for the inaugural Greenbrier Classic in 2010. To be a part of such an incredible event and to also be a part of the renaissance that is going on here at The Greenbrier is very special. Mr. Justice's restoration of America 's Resort is nothing short of amazing. There is so much incredible history here (over 230 years) which was salvaged, literally and single handedly, by Mr. Justice. This iconic resort has played host to Presidents and Kings, a Ryder Cup and a Solheim Cup, and now a PGA TOUR event. And, he is only just getting started. Don't be surprised if he is able to land a President's Cup sometime in the near future.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow play. If you can't play in 4 1/2 hours then there is something wrong.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Ireland.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Actually, there are a few (Augusta National and Cypress Point to name a couple). But, if I had to pick just one it would have to be Augusta National.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
Mandatory pace of play. Again, slow play is rampant and ruins the experience for everybody else on the golf course.

Dream foursome (living)?
Arnold Palmer (he's the King - enough said); David Feherty (for a few laughs); and Michael Jordan.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
Sam Snead (former Golf Professional Emeritus at The Greenbrier); Tom Watson (current Golf Professional Emeritus - still alive obviously); and Bobby Jones.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long Putt

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
I already have a couple of hole in ones...so, the round of my life

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
I like a draw

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway house

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot dog

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking; although not very practical these days

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long Par 3

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Pants

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Impossible; have to go with both

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Beatles

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Play for Fun (with a little money riding on it)

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gamble

18) 18 holes OR 36?
18