The Curious Case of Tommy Tolles

[Golfer4Life]

I have always been a fan of Tommy Tolles. We were born ten days appart in the same year, so I grew up watching him play.

 

I always thought he was a great player, with a great name, and he gave swag a whole new meaning. He was always classy, with a very nice swing, and to me represented what a professional golfer ought to look like.

 

1996 and 1997 were his best years on tour with a third at the 96 PGA Championship, a third at the 97 Masters, a tied for 5th at the 97 U.S. Open, and one spot short of making the 97 Ryder Cup.

 

Unfortunately, that was pretty much it after a few unremarkable seasons in the mini tours. I really missed him on tour.

 

Fast forward to 2018. Tommy is playing in the PGA Champions Tour and doing really well. He went through Qualifying School, worked hard and he’s back at it. He’s in the mix in the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs and I’m very happy for him, his family, and I wish him all the success.

 

I guess I just wanted to talk about a player that admired a lot.

 

 

 

[MarkFromTheUK]

That’s certainly a blast from the past. Haven’t seen his name for about 20 years!

[chigolfer1]

That’s certainly a blast from the past. Haven’t seen his name for about 20 years!

 

Gotta say, this is one of the coolest aspects of this tour. Where else do you literally get a second chance like that in sports 20 years past when you last played professionally at a high level.

[Hankshank]

What is curious?

[Golfer4Life]

What is curious?

 

Dude, is just a title. Holy s***!

[golfgirlrobin]

I remember back in the mid 90’s when Tolles and Paul Stankowski were going to be the next big thing.

[BMC]

He missed hitting me with a par 5 approach shot by 5 feet at the SAS Championship two weeks ago (at the club where I work).

 

He's incredibly fit for a 50 year old. I heard he'd been doing landscaping work. Best of luck to him on the Champions tour.

[aliikane]

A lot of players are re-igniting their careers on the Champions tour. Champions tour has a lot of fans and is very successful because it is the players that you have watched over the years and know.

[rangersgoalie]

Had pretty serious injuries too

[Golfer4Life]

Had pretty serious injuries too

 

He also would be the first to admit his bigger injury was within his ears. I thought he was going to take the tour and run with it. I thought he had the talent to be in contention week in and week out. But I guess life happens.

 

I know this is a silly thread, but I was so happy for him I couldn’t help myself.

[Phireside]

He was in the same group as MAJ at the Boeing. Followed that group the full 18. He had a terrible day that day, but the one I thing I recall was that his caddy seemed to be a guy out of the crowd. Just carried the bag and followed Tommy around. Tommy raked his own bunkers that day with a little help for MAJ's guy chipping in too.

[Golfer4Life]

He was in the same group as MAJ at the Boeing. Followed that group the full 18. He had a terrible day that day, but the one I thing I recall was that his caddy seemed to be a guy out of the crowd. Just carried the bag and followed Tommy around. Tommy raked his own bunkers that day with a little help for MAJ's guy chipping in too.

 

Wow, thanks for sharing. I think if this season continues to go his way, next season he will be around with a caddie and will be able to structure his schedule.

[Golfer4Life]

Poulter, eat your heart out, lol....

[MattyO1984]

I remember back in the mid 90’s when Tolles and Paul Stankowski were going to be the next big thing.

 

As soon as I read Tommy Tolles they next name that came in to my head was Paul Stankowski! 49 in December according to google so maybe a run at the Champions Tour for him in 2020.

[BIG STU]

He did an interview on the GC the other night on Champions Tour Learning center--- Had the full beard thing going too--- Said he was glad to be back playing competitive golf again. I have always enjoyed the Champions Tour because back in the past you had good players that came out of the ProShop and did pretty well guys like Larry Loretti. You had guys that came from nowhere with no professional golf pedigree like Walt Zembriski and the guy they called the Beer Man. BTW Langer was born the same year as I was he is a month older than I am. I actually like everyone on that tour. Know some of the guys on that tour. Rocco and Scott McCarron are always interesting and MAJ has added a lot of flair to that tour too.

[OldTomMorris]

Finished T2 alongside Monty @ Sawgrass in 96 when Couples won for there for the second time. Tolles had the 54 hole lead but shot 72 whereas Couples shot 64 to win by 4 but it seemed a lot closer. I'm sure Couples eagled 16 then birdied 17.

[Ferguson]

Did Tommy learn what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked in the head with an iron boot?

Of course he didn't, no one does. It never happens.

 

 

The point being is that he faced personal struggles and he's back.

[sixtysevensixtyseven]

I have kind of the same story with Ty Tryon. I took second place to him in like 6 tournaments when we were kids and he just flamed out totally. It only took him a year to fall off the planet where Tommy had a nice run of a couple years at least.

[Golfer4Life]

I have kind of the same story with Ty Tryon. I took second place to him in like 6 tournaments when we were kids and he just flamed out totally. It only took him a year to fall off the planet where Tommy had a nice run of a couple years at least.

 

He has to be one of the biggest golf busters ever. I saw he was playing the mini tours trying to make a comeback.

 

Did Tommy learn what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked in the head with an iron boot?

Of course he didn't, no one does. It never happens.

 

 

The point being is that he faced personal struggles and he's back.

 

And I’m glad!

[sui generis]

What is curious?

 

It's simply alliteration. :)

[moonshine]

Was he not like the first guy to play Tommy Hilfiger golf clothes? I have never seen the stuff...ever.

[Golfer4Life]

Was he not like the first guy to play Tommy Hilfiger golf clothes? I have never seen the stuff...ever.

 

I’m not sure, but one thing is for sure, he was the King of Swag!

[gr00vetech]

Played with him earlier this year while he was practicing at the club I work at. He seems like he finally is feeling healthy physically and was motivated to play. Certainly not surprised to see the success from what I saw from him that week.

[Conrad1953]

I like comeback stories. Thinks for bringing him up!

[Golfer4Life]

Played with him earlier this year while he was practicing at the club I work at. He seems like he finally is feeling healthy physically and was motivated to play. Certainly not surprised to see the success from what I saw from him that week.

 

Thanks for sharing!

[MidwestGolfBum]

A lot of players are re-igniting their careers on the Champions tour. Champions tour has a lot of fans and is very successful because it is the players that you have watched over the years and know.

 

In my opinion, as the regular tour guys, as well as some who weren't able to keep their card, get older and decide to play on the Champions it's going to gain more and more viewers because of the fact that they have more names that more people are recognizing and are able to get behind. It can only be a good thing for that tour.

[Hankshank]

What is curious?

 

Dude, is just a title. Holy s***!

Ah. Americano is not my mother language.

[Golfer4Life]

What is curious?

 

Dude, is just a title. Holy s***!

Ah. Americano is not my mother language.

 

Oh, got it, lol...Is kind of a figure of speech, plus you have to admit, it sounds cool, lol..

[Golfer4Life]

Played with him earlier this year while he was practicing at the club I work at. He seems like he finally is feeling healthy physically and was motivated to play. Certainly not surprised to see the success from what I saw from him that week.

 

I would enjoy a chat with him. Maybe someday :-)

[smeech8000]

I remember back in the mid 90’s when Tolles and Paul Stankowski were going to be the next big thing.

 

Yep. Then Stank went and signed a shoe sandal deal with Bite Footwear.

 

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/paul-stankowski-wears-his-sandal-golf-shoes-during-the-sony-news-photo/72305881

 

 

I have kind of the same story with Ty Tryon. I took second place to him in like 6 tournaments when we were kids and he just flamed out totally. It only took him a year to fall off the planet where Tommy had a nice run of a couple years at least.

 

At least he capitalized and got himself into not one but TWO Tiger Woods video games!

 

(TW 2003 & 2004 for those of you keeping score at home)