The first eight groups include golfers, all still very much alive, who share some type of common bond and would produce an interesting round of golf. The final entry, selected by SI.com golf editor Mike McAllister, takes a more historical approach with three now-deceased legends of the sport.
<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=558><TBODY><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>1. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player
This was the easiest inclusion. It would be great to pick the brains of a trio who combined for 159 Tour victories and 34 majors. It would also be something to witness the camaraderie among the three; to hear their war stories and watch them have fun. Although the three are well past their primes, it would still be a great honor to walk 18 holes with these living legends. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>2.Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson
To make this grouping even more interesting, I'd have Michael Buffer as the starter, yelling out his all-too familiar "Let's get ready to rumble." Just think how much each player would squirm and grind his teeth during the round, along with the awkward moments of silence. And I think we all want to see Singh and Mickelson together again after "Spikegate." I can see it now: Woods between the two playing peacemaker. It would be Jerry Springer on the golf course. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>3. Lee Trevino, Fuzzy Zoeller, Chi Chi Rodriguez
Golf's version of Comic Relief. No way I could go more than a hole without busting up. I'd pay their greens fees just to hear some of the stories the three would tell, such as Rodriguez recalling how he grew up hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick. What also intrigues me about Trevino and Rodriguez is that they grew up poor, so they have a greater appreciation for everything. Plus, you'd get all the latest gossip, since they've never been known to bite their tongue on any topic. Golfers with a sense of humor. Who knew? </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>4. Gary McCord, David Feherty, Johnny Miller
Speaking of humor, how about 18 holes with McCord and Feherty? Miller would be caught in the middle, but maybe the humor would rub off on him and he'd loosen up. I can only imagine what it's like when all three are preparing to broadcast a tournament. Besides, when you're a duffer as I am, it always helps to have a humorous bunch around you to lighten the mood. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>5. Ian Poulter, Jesper Parnevik, Darren Clarke
These three are the most colorful dressers on Tour, so this round would be like a Paris fashion show, each trying to outdo the other in terms of attire. And their personalities are just as colorful. No doubt, the trio would be whooping it up after every shot -- and Clarke would have a cigar nearby at all times. I'd make sure Parnevik flipped the bill of his hat up and Poulter wore his infamous Union Jack trousers and died his hair orange. But any group ahead or behind us better be wearing sunglasses at all times. The bright colors could be blinding. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>6.Vijay Singh, Scott Hoch, Annika Sorenstam
So why this trio? I'd like to see how Singh and Hoch handle things when forced to play golf with a woman. After all, they were the most outspoken pros when asked about Sorenstam playing in a Tour event. "She doesn't belong out here," Singh told USA Today. Singh later added that if he was grouped with her, he wouldn't play. Since this is a "friendly" gathering, let's see if Singh really would walk off. Maybe the men are afraid Sorenstam will show them how to really play golf (OK, at least show Hoch). </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>7. Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Chris DiMarco
Here's the kicker: This round would take place at Augusta National -- so one of these guys would know what it feels like to win at this course. This group could be nicknamed "The Close Calls" for all the heartbreaks they've suffered on Augusta. Besides, I've always thought it would be a thrill to play a round with Norman. I'd want to get some swing tips from Els. And I'd tell DiMarco how much respect I have for him after his gutty showing at this year's Masters. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>8. Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Luke Donald
Let's see how my game would stack up against three of the better young guns on Tour. It wouldn't be pretty, but at least I'd get a firsthand look at some of the players who will be household names over the next dozen years. I'd also look forward to watching three young players go at it, challenging each other on every shot. With this much testosterone, there's bound to be some pretty amazing shots in this group -- none from me. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>9. Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Zaharias, a founding member of the LPGA and perhaps the greatest all-around woman's athlete, died in 1956. Demaret, who once said "Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at," died in 1983. Hogan, who rivals Bobby Jones in terms of golfing mystique, died in 1997. Were they alive and in their primes, it would make for a fascinating round of golf. But the key here is the common thread -- each was born and bred in Texas.
-- Thanks to SI.com colleague Mike McAllister (yes, he's from Texas) for this entry </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>Just missed the cut: Ricky Barnes/Jonathan Kaye/Pat Perez; Tom Lehman/Nick Price/Greg Norman; Fred Funk/Jerry Kelly/Shigeki Maruyama.
Scott Wraight S.I.com
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/scott_wraight/04/19/gallery.042105/index.html
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<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=558><TBODY><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>1. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player
This was the easiest inclusion. It would be great to pick the brains of a trio who combined for 159 Tour victories and 34 majors. It would also be something to witness the camaraderie among the three; to hear their war stories and watch them have fun. Although the three are well past their primes, it would still be a great honor to walk 18 holes with these living legends. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>2.Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson
To make this grouping even more interesting, I'd have Michael Buffer as the starter, yelling out his all-too familiar "Let's get ready to rumble." Just think how much each player would squirm and grind his teeth during the round, along with the awkward moments of silence. And I think we all want to see Singh and Mickelson together again after "Spikegate." I can see it now: Woods between the two playing peacemaker. It would be Jerry Springer on the golf course. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>3. Lee Trevino, Fuzzy Zoeller, Chi Chi Rodriguez
Golf's version of Comic Relief. No way I could go more than a hole without busting up. I'd pay their greens fees just to hear some of the stories the three would tell, such as Rodriguez recalling how he grew up hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick. What also intrigues me about Trevino and Rodriguez is that they grew up poor, so they have a greater appreciation for everything. Plus, you'd get all the latest gossip, since they've never been known to bite their tongue on any topic. Golfers with a sense of humor. Who knew? </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>4. Gary McCord, David Feherty, Johnny Miller
Speaking of humor, how about 18 holes with McCord and Feherty? Miller would be caught in the middle, but maybe the humor would rub off on him and he'd loosen up. I can only imagine what it's like when all three are preparing to broadcast a tournament. Besides, when you're a duffer as I am, it always helps to have a humorous bunch around you to lighten the mood. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>5. Ian Poulter, Jesper Parnevik, Darren Clarke
These three are the most colorful dressers on Tour, so this round would be like a Paris fashion show, each trying to outdo the other in terms of attire. And their personalities are just as colorful. No doubt, the trio would be whooping it up after every shot -- and Clarke would have a cigar nearby at all times. I'd make sure Parnevik flipped the bill of his hat up and Poulter wore his infamous Union Jack trousers and died his hair orange. But any group ahead or behind us better be wearing sunglasses at all times. The bright colors could be blinding. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>6.Vijay Singh, Scott Hoch, Annika Sorenstam
So why this trio? I'd like to see how Singh and Hoch handle things when forced to play golf with a woman. After all, they were the most outspoken pros when asked about Sorenstam playing in a Tour event. "She doesn't belong out here," Singh told USA Today. Singh later added that if he was grouped with her, he wouldn't play. Since this is a "friendly" gathering, let's see if Singh really would walk off. Maybe the men are afraid Sorenstam will show them how to really play golf (OK, at least show Hoch). </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>7. Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Chris DiMarco
Here's the kicker: This round would take place at Augusta National -- so one of these guys would know what it feels like to win at this course. This group could be nicknamed "The Close Calls" for all the heartbreaks they've suffered on Augusta. Besides, I've always thought it would be a thrill to play a round with Norman. I'd want to get some swing tips from Els. And I'd tell DiMarco how much respect I have for him after his gutty showing at this year's Masters. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>8. Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Luke Donald
Let's see how my game would stack up against three of the better young guns on Tour. It wouldn't be pretty, but at least I'd get a firsthand look at some of the players who will be household names over the next dozen years. I'd also look forward to watching three young players go at it, challenging each other on every shot. With this much testosterone, there's bound to be some pretty amazing shots in this group -- none from me. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body1 vAlign=top>9. Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Zaharias, a founding member of the LPGA and perhaps the greatest all-around woman's athlete, died in 1956. Demaret, who once said "Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at," died in 1983. Hogan, who rivals Bobby Jones in terms of golfing mystique, died in 1997. Were they alive and in their primes, it would make for a fascinating round of golf. But the key here is the common thread -- each was born and bred in Texas.
-- Thanks to SI.com colleague Mike McAllister (yes, he's from Texas) for this entry </TD></TR><TR><TD class=body2 vAlign=top>Just missed the cut: Ricky Barnes/Jonathan Kaye/Pat Perez; Tom Lehman/Nick Price/Greg Norman; Fred Funk/Jerry Kelly/Shigeki Maruyama.
Scott Wraight S.I.com
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/scott_wraight/04/19/gallery.042105/index.html
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