AROUND THE GREENS
Fernandez looking to make mark on celebrity golf tour

By Bill Kwon

"Playing for fun with your buddies is one thing, but playing in a tournament is a different thing," says Sid Fernandez. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

In baseball, he was a left-handed fastball pitcher who played a key role for the New York Mets when they won the 1986 World Series over the Boston Red Sox. But in golf, which has become quite a passion for him after he retired in 1997, Fernandez plays right-handed.

There's a logical explanation, said brother, Roger.

Their late father, Charles, was a fine golfer who encouraged his boys to take up the game. Dad was right-handed, so they had to learn the game with right-handed clubs.

We caught up with "El Sid," who played in the Mid-Pacific Open last week in Lanikai.

"I play about twice a week for fun," said a sun-burned and fit Fernandez. It's hard to believe the former Kaiser High School phenom is now 41.

"We have a little Saturday skins game open to anybody with 30 bucks," said Roger, kiddingly.

With the Mets training in golf-crazy Florida every spring, Fernandez had ample opportunity to work on his game. But it was recreational then.

"We usually played during the season on off days when we're at home," said Fernandez, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and traded to the Mets.

In the past three years, he has been more serious about the game. He's now playing to a 2-handicap. And, like most athletes, he can hit the golf ball a mile. Well, at least 280 yards.

Sid Fernandez played baseball at Kaiser High School and gained fame as a starting pitcher for the New York Mets. Advertiser library photos

"There's no second chance. In baseball, a foul tip, you got another chance," he said.

With several career-low 69s, including a round at the Mid-Pacific Country Club, Fernandez decided to turn pro so that he could join the Celebrity Players Tour, a semi-serious corporate outing.

It's by invitation only, and Fernandez hopes he can get to play in a majority of the 10 events scheduled this season. "I'll play as many as I can get invited to," he said.

He got his first taste of success in the season-ending Jamaica Holiday Classic last year, finishing in a tie for 18th with Mark Rypien, the MVP in Super Bowl XXVI for the Washington Redskins.

"A lot of former athletes are playing," said Fernandez.

The celebrity roster includes ex-Met teammate Gary Carter, Davey Johnson, who managed Fernandez when he was with the Mets and Baltimore Orioles; Jim McMahon, Rollie Fingers and Mike Schmidt.

"Even June Jones," Fernandez said, referring to the University of Hawai'i football coach who's also an accomplished golfer.

Fernandez's wife, Noelani, is very supportive even though it will entail more traveling.

"It's something to do. I want to get my competitive juices flowing again," Fernandez said. "Besides, there's some money to be made."

He cited the example of former pitcher Rick Rhoden, who's clearly the leading money winner on the celebrity circuit. Rhoden earned $190,000 last year, $133,275 in 2002 and $224,475 in 2001.

Rhoden honed his competitive game so well on the celebrity tour that he tried to qualify for the PGA Champions Tour. He played in the Turtle Bay Championship on a sponsor's exemption last year.

It's indicative of the caliber of play on the celebrity tour, according to Fernandez.

"Playing for fun with your buddies is one thing, but playing in a tournament is a different thing," said Fernandez, well aware that he's got to step up his golf game another notch.

Fernandez goes back to New York City every year for a reunion of former Mets players.

"The fans still remember '86 and some of them even yell, 'Hey, Sid,' when they see you in the streets," he said.

Fernandez won 114 games, most of them as a Met. But it was his three games in relief in the 1986 World Series that proved him worthy of celebrity status. Johnson was quoted as saying that Fernandez was the "unsung hero" for the Mets.

It is Fernandez's most memorable moment in baseball. That along with two All-Star Game appearances in 1986 and '87. In 1986, he was the hottest pitcher in all of baseball with a 12-2 record at the All-Star break. The first from Hawai'i to appear in the midsummer classic, Fernandez struck out the side in the only inning he pitched in the National League's victory at the Houston Astrodome.

Now, he wants to have a few memorable moments in golf.

Bill Kwon can be reached at bkwon@aloha.net.