Beer Man big favorite for the everyman

A few years ago, when the debate over Casey Martin and the use of carts on the PGA Tour raged, someone inadvertently introduced a lively debate.

On the one hand, it was argued that players on the then-PGA Seniors Tour were allowed to use carts, so why shouldn’t Martin? The opposing view was that people followed the seniors out of a sense of nostalgia, not necessarily for the competition.

The cart issue was settled last year, when they were banned on the Champions Tour (though it appears they may return later this year).

But it did spawn a great question. What do we watch the Champions Tour for? Do we care because we get to see the great golfers of our youth teeing it up once again? Or are we interested in the competition, the thrill of the chase?

The answer, theoretically, should be a little of both. It is great to see the likes of Tom Watson and Peter Jacobsen and Lee Trevino on the links, especially since they remain great golfers. But without the competition, there’s no passion or drive or motivation for the players or the fans.

And without competition, you’d never discover someone like Mark Johnson.

Unless you’re a serious golf aficionado, you probably hadn’t heard Johnson’s name prior to last year’s Toshiba Classic. Even then, it would’ve taken some serious homework to find out much about him.

But then, in the space of two days, the Barstow native became the toast of the Champions Tour. First, it was his eight-under par 63 that vaulted him to the top of the Saturday leaderboard. And then, that magical lob wedge shot from 91 yards that went in for eagle and gave Johnson his first professional victory.

Would it have been the same, had it been one of the old guard PGA pros? Perhaps. The great thing about golf is that nothing is ever predictable.

But there’s something wondrous about seeing a previously anonymous player come in and make his mark in winning fashion. It’s a given that Johnson will remember that moment for the rest of his life, but I’d guess that a lot of people in attendance that day will also have fond memories.

Without trying to overblow the metaphors here, Johnson represents most of us. He’ll freely admit that he hasn’t made all the right choices in life. Although he obviously had talent ? check out how many course records he holds in California ? he clearly spent a good portion of his life just making ends meet and hanging in for his next chance to get into the game.

Except that he got his opportunity and was able to parlay that into a spot on the Champions Tour and, eventually, his first win.

In a lot of ways, he’s like us. And when someone like that succeeds, you root a little more and cheer a little bit louder.

“Maybe they look at it different, ‘Well, wow, here’s a guy who drove a beer truck and he’s out here playing with them,’” Johnson said recently. “I think they look at it more in that direction, that maybe there is a chance for everybody to maybe chase your dream and maybe you can accomplish it.

“I was fortunate enough this last year to accomplish my dream. I’ve had so much support ever since I’ve been playing amateur and professional golf, that it’s been wonderful.”

The fact is, for every big name on the Champions Tour, there’s one or two more who have scratched and clawed their way into this position, just hoping for one breakthrough performance that can ensure a little financial security and maybe even catapult them into stardom.

Let’s be honest. There’s a good percentage of people who follow the Champions Tour who care mostly for the names.

They know that Scott Simpson, Scott Hoch, Fred Funk and Loren Roberts are in their first fill season on the tour. They’re already looking forward to names like Mark O’Meara, Nick Price, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer joining next year.

That’s fine and good. They don’t need to apologize for that.

But when you’re walking the course during the tournament, take a minute to check out the other names. Find a new face to follow, even if it’s just for a few holes.

And the next time the PGA’s TV ads say, “These Guys Are Good,” you’ll know they mean all of those guys.dpt.10-toshiba-tee-BGraphicInfoR31OQ3BQ20060310R31OQ3BQNo Captiondpt.10-toshiba-johnson1-BPhotoInfoI91OQ1BM20060310idopcukfDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Mark Johnson takes his last swing from the 18th fairway, which resulted in an eagle, cementing his win in the Toshiba Senior Classic with a 13-under for the tournament at Newport Beach Country Club. dpt.10-lee,james-2006-BPhotoInfoI91OQ33Q20060310irtsbgnc(LA)