"For all the talk, especially this time of year, that Texas is a first and foremost a football mecca, there are little white balls flying in every direction as evidence that another game might have a claim on our state’s psyche. Golf has always been and remains a big deal here, and just as we put our share of wannabe quarterbacks and wide receivers through their paces in high school and college before sending a special few to the pros, boys and girls from all over spend their early years driving and putting with an eye to an equally rewarding future, albeit one with a longer life. Case in point: The continuing career, energetic and magnificent, of this week’s guest, Tom Kite. Born in the Dallas suburb of McKinney and raised in Austin, where he competed often in high school with some kid named Ben Crenshaw, 59-year-old Kite attended the University of Texas on a golf scholarship, was coached by the legendary Harvey Penick, and captained two NCAA championship teams. He had been playing since age six and had won his first tourament at eleven, so perhaps it was in the cards that he’d go on to great things — but what an extraordinary record of achievements he’s built since turning pro in 1972. Nineteen PGA Tour victories, including the U.S. Open in 1992. Seven Ryder Cup squads — one as captain. 175 weeks in the top ten of the Official World God Rankings, The first golfer in PGA Tour history to reach $6 million, $7 million, $8 million, and $9 milliion in total earnings. Nine victories on the over-fifties Champions Tour, including one senior major. A World Golf Hall of Famer. An accomplished golf course designer. And, as you’re about to see, an extraordinarily good sport in every sense of that word. " - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 12.18.08