I recently did the Costas show on HBO. Below is the transcript.
Costas: So, you have been on the job for close to four months. Is it what you expected?
Underwood: Bob, first of all, thank you so much for inviting me on the show. I have always respected your opinion and it is quite an honor to be with you. Yes, I knew quite well what I was getting into. I had heard just about every negative that comes with the job from the previous administration. Please, that is not to be a negative on the past administration. I want to be very clear, they were a big help to make the transition go smooth.
Costas: The league is almost to the half way point. Are you happy with how things are playing out this season?
Underwood: What do you think Bob? Our league attendance has been great, we had a great major, our primary sponsor BWWW is very thrilled, and my ratings are higher than they were before I took office. Don't get me wrong, these things are not taken for granted, but they are all areas we focus on year in and year out. It really all starts with our players. They are such outstanding community members. Go to any of our events, go up ask any of them for a glove or an autograph, I promise you they will bend over backwards to accomodate. There is no other league like the CGA that understands what it means to be a fan friendly league. Go spend a day with any of our members, you will understand what it means to be a cga member and the endless requests for their time.
Costas: There were rumblings that some of the homeowners at the GCD would disagree?
Underwood: Sure, we have had our incidents, but what league hasn't. The window is being repaired by the league.
Costas: Care to comment on pace of play?
Underwood: That is an area we continue to work on. Bob, it takes time. We continue to try and get our players to understand how we are competing for the entertainment dollar.
Costas: The media reported that several CGA members were out in the community after the Touch Em All Major, and let's say were crossing the line?
Underwood: Bob, can we talk about golf?
Costas: Sure, care to predict who will win the first half in the CGA?
Underwood: Well..... what a season. Nothing short of outstanding. It looks like Porta Joe's will take home the 1st half title as they have a 19.5 point lead over Son of Betts. That is just too much of a lead for anyone to overcome. Steve Porterfield has just played great. The individual race is much tighter and appears to be a four player race. Porterfield has a 2.5 point lead over Greg May, a 3.5 point lead over Doug May, and 4.5 point lead over Shawn Swanson. That makes for an exciting finish Monday night. I will be taking on Porterfield, Greg May will take on Scott Schoemer and Doug May will have a sub. Boy, things would have been different had Smokin Joe not destroyed Greg May and Webb defeated Doug May. In fact, the top 5 players in our rankings lossed this week. You just have to bring your best every week in the CGA. There are no easy matches. Bob, you really should try and get out to the GCD...... there just is not a better value for your entertainment dollar.
Costas: I will try, why did you so quickly do away with the sub program?
Underwood: It just needed changed. It is time for some players in this league to take some responsibility for themselves.
Costas: That sounds kind of harsh... is that directed at anyone?
Underwood: Oh no, not at all. Just like tee times coming back, getting your own subs will make the league stronger. We just had a sub shoot 33 for a net 29, so you can imagine anytime I tried to get a sub everyone wanted this player. So this way it is fair and the players can fight over who they get. It takes the league office out of it and allows us to focus more on the vision of the league and where we are headed.
Costas: You recently stated that you would like to see Webbie change up the weekly pot game. Do you still feel that way?
Underwood: Bob, our players grind it out for 18 weeks a season. How many weeks is the NFL?
Costas: 17
Underwood: That is right, the CGA Team Title and the CGA Individual title are the greatest achievements in sports. These players grind and grind and grind. That sounds like I am promoting adult strip clubs. My point is that the season can get long, so yes, Ryan should change the pot game up sometimes.
Costas: Speaking of the Pot game, the NY times recently ran an investigative article on gambling in the CGA. Do you think gambling has become an issue in the CGA?
Underwood: I come from the school that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. The reason the CGA will never have a problem of someone throwing a match is because of the great game of Vegas. Bob, you ever played Vegas?
Costas: Yes, I have been to Vegas.
Underwood: Forget it. But I will state, gambling is part of the CGA and that is a good thing.
Costas: Has everything been settled with the Johnson's who had a window broken earlier this year.
Underwood: Unfortunately, our attorneys have asked that I not comment on that. I will only say, that the CGA members involved handled everything with the up most respect for the family involved.
Costas: Well, we will let you go. Good luck the rest of the season.
Underwood: Again, thank you for inviting me on the show. Get out to see the CGA, I promise you, these guys are really good and just really great role models for the kids.
