Steve Melnyk’s life has been centered around golf. A Brunswick, Ga. native, he was a top high school and college player and his amateur career included championships of the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur. He played on the PGA Tour for 11 years, finishing second five times, and since has been broadcasting the game as well as designing and operating courses. The 55-year-old is the president of the Riverside Golf Group, which manages Windsor Parke and the Champions Club at Julington Creek. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Ortega and have two sons, Dalton and Butler. He spoke last month with Daily Record editorial director Fred Seely.
Question: What’s your TV deal this year?
Answer: I just signed a new 4-year contract with ABC; I’ll do 21 events. This is my 21st year — I spent 10 years with CBS and now this is my 11th with ABC. My role will change a little; instead of always being in the booth, I’ll be on the ground more often, walking with the lead group.
Q: Harder?
A: No, just different. It requires me to react quicker to each situation. I have to worry more about the shot, the set-up, the wind.
Q: What tournaments?
A: A good mix and I really like that. We have PGA Tour, ladies, senior and amateur. My love is amateur events. We have the Walker Cup. I’ll do the Mid-Am, too.
Q: Your anchor is Mike Tirico. You like him?
A: The best. Nothing against others I’ve worked with, and I’ve worked with people like Pat Summerall, Jim McKay, Vin Scully and Brent Musberger, but Mike works hard and prepares well. When they hired him 5-6 years ago, I thought that was the dumbest thing they could do. I worked with him one week and I realized it was the smartest thing.
Q: How did you get into TV?
A: I hurt my elbow and I realized my playing career may be over. I always liked broadcasting, so I called CBS. They turned me down twice, then gave me a chance.
Q: Your debut?
A: The 1982 Players Championship. I was paired in a booth with Tony Trabert. I was awful, but I guess they saw something, and they worked with me.
Q: What did you have to learn?
A: If you talk, talk in snippets. You have to remember that you don’t get paid by the word. Silence is a wonderful accompaniment to golf.
Q: And pay attention.
A: Yes, keep up with the action — the words have to go along with the pictures. Doesn’t it irk you when you’re watching one thing and it seems like the announcer doesn’t know it?
Q: Yes.
A: Well, some guys still haven’t figured it out.
Q: You have a distinctive voice on air.
A: I really don’t think so, but people recognize me by my voice, so I guess I do.
Q: Is it a good TV voice?
A: Guess so. They haven’t asked me to do voice training.
Q: Do people know you? Are you famous?
A: No, at least I don’t try and be famous. But people remember me for winning the U.S. and British amateurs.
Q: You’re regarded well for being so prepared. What do you do?
A: I subscribe to an Internet news service. Sort of a clip service. A lady compiles stories from all over the world and puts out a daily report. It takes a half hour, maybe longer, to read it, but it’s great information and worth the time. I don’t retain everything, but I know that I’ve read something and know where to find it.
Q: How do you assess the health of the PGA Tour?
A: Solid. Healthy. Good young players coming up. The Tour has weathered the economic downturn.
Q: Any negatives?
A: I’m concerned that the growth pattern can’t be sustained. The purses are way up there, and it’s gotten expensive. I’m going to Los Angeles; the Nissan people have a $7 million annual commitment to that tournament. That’s a big chunk.
Q: The obligatory question: how about Tiger Woods?
A: Unbelievable. There is an insatiable demand for him. We’re embarrassed about the amount of air time we give him, but people want it. Someone did a survey and it showed he was the third best-known person in the world, after the Pope and the president.
Q: But doesn’t TV overdo it? It’s nothing but Tiger.
A: In the British Open two years ago at St. Andrews, we showed every one of his shots. Every one. Some were on tape, but nonetheless you saw ‘em all. Last year, at Muirfield, we were doing the same thing until he shot that 81 in the third round. He was out of it and we backed off in the final round.
Q: Your sales people agree?
A: They want more Tiger. An example: we did the Hartford tournament last year and it had a great leaderboard. Mickelson, Love, others. It drew a 3 (rating.) The next week at Westchester, Tiger played. We got a 6. Double the audience.
Q: You love your job. Downsides?
A: The travel. Golf tournaments aren’t all played at places like Westchester (outside New York City.) We have to go to some places that aren’t vacation spots. I get tired of eating out, too. It’s nice to be home, either eating there or at the club [Timuquana] which is a home away from home.
Q: Your PGA Tour career ... not bad?
A: No, I don’t have any regrets. I played 10 years and almost won a few. Finished second five times, three times by one shot. Twice I lost when a guy birdied the last hole. I had more years left, but I hurt my elbow [in a fall] and that was it. But that’s old news; I don’t live in the past.
Q: How’s your golf game?
A: Par. I can still play.
Q: Best round lately?
A: I had a 69 at Sea Island, a very difficult course.
Q: Senior PGA Tour ... er, Champions Tour?
A: No. I have too many other things going on.
Q: Would you take an exemption into a tournament?
A: No. I’m not going to take a spot that someone else should have.
Q: But you have played in senior Opens.
A: Yes, but for another reason. I played in the U.S. Senior Open and the British Senior Open because I was eligible, but the main reason was that I wanted to play with my sons as caddies. Dalton caddied at one, Butler at the other. Then I re-retired from competition.
Q: You’ve talked about regaining your amateur status. Any hope?
A: I’m afraid not. The USGA says I played too long and too well.
Q: How much do you play?
A: Not a lot. With friends. I’ll walk nine holes in the evening. I play with my sons.
Q: They are good players.
A: Very good. They’re better than me, but I’m smarter. I wish I could get through to them about the mental side.
Q: They’re college players?
A: Dalton is finishing Florida this year. He’s on the golf team. Butler was there, but it wasn’t the right place for him. That happens. I got on the phone and made some inquiries and a lot of people wanted him. It came down to Georgia and Georgia Tech, and he chose Georgia.
Q: The son of the immediate past president of Gator Boosters chose Georgia?
A: Yes. I’ll get over it (laughs.)
Q: How do you fit the Gators in with all the travel you do?
A: It isn’t easy. Last year was particularly difficult, because there are so many things a Gator Booster president must do. ABC was great; they understood, and worked my schedule around the Gator obligations.
Q: How many football games will you see this year?
A: All but one home game. I’ll make a few road games. A lot of basketball games. I’m on the University Athletic Association board, so I have an ongoing commitment.
Q: Ron Zook?
A: The right man to be our football coach. He’s a great guy, a different kind of guy. Someone said he’s the only 48-year-old who needs Ritalin. He’s doing a great job; the kids love him.
Q: Billy Donovan?
A: He’ll stay and our basketball will keep getting better. We just built him one of the best practice facilities anywhere. He’s committed to Gainesville.
Q: Steve Spurrier?
A: A good friend. We talk a lot.
Q: The Jaguars?
A: I’m a fan, but I don’t go to games. You get just so many hall passes [from his wife] during a football season (laughs.)
Q: Favorite course ... anywhere.
A: If I had one course for one round, it would be Cypress Point. Chicago Golf Club would be next. Put Pinehurst No. 2 in there, too.
Q: Favorite Tour course.
A: Westchester. Old, short, tight.
Q: Any other?
A: We’re sitting at one — Timuquana. This is a wonderful club, a wonderful course. I’m proud to be a member. I’ll come out and walk nine holes, carrying my bag. It’s heaven.
Q: How about the course architecture side of your business?
A: Not a time to be in that business now. Maybe I’ll get back into it. I’ve done a few courses. Here, I helped at Magnolia Point and I did the second nine at Julington Creek. I did a project with Tom Fazio and he and I are talking about doing another one.
Q: Too many courses?
A: Too many, and they’re being built for the wrong reasons. Developers now view golf as an amenity, just another part of the real estate deal.
Q: And your business?
A: Right now, we only have the two local courses. Our offices are at the beach. I got tired of paying downtown rent prices and bought a piece of land in the Marsh Landing business park, and put up a building. Good investment.