Tom Smothers Comedian?... Entertainer?... Both?

Hard to believe, but it was almost 50 years ago that I first enjoyed the Smothers Brothers at San Francisco's Purple Onion. Their combination of humor coupled with music had me laughing as well as being entertained, so is it comedy or entertainment? One dictionary says that a comedian is a humorous entertainer, which I guess makes Tom and Dick both.

Golf became a passion for Tom, and when not performing he could often be found playing or taking lessons - there is a strong probability that he has taken more lessons than any comedian/entertainer in history. For years he was a fixture in numerous pro-ams, including the AT&T, The Bob Hope, Kraft-Nabisco, Dinah Shore, even the LPGA Rex Classic in Raleigh, N.C. I still remember his wowing the gallery at the Rex Classic when he sank about a 25' left to right breaking putt with his yo-yo. Naturally his Callaway Kraft-Nabisco bag includes a yo-yo in addition to the usual - and some very unusual - items.

Driver:Tommy Armour or a Wilson Staff 4300

Fairway Woods:Wilson Staff 2, 3 & 4

Irons: Callaway Big Bertha 6 thru SW

Putter: Bobby Grace

Ball: either Titleist ProV1 or Callaway

As for the items in addition to the yo-yo, it’s probably ‘your guess is as good as mine!’

Naturally there are ball markers and green repair tools, many from the pro-ams he's played in. I have also seen such pertinent items as a yo-yo string, Naparcin, at times a flask with a little something to warm his innards in cold weather, and quite often something that surprises even him. As for the different drivers and fairway woods, Tom had no explanation other than at times he preferred having individually matched clubs. When asked for his fantasy foursome he said John Daly, then hesitated and with a twinkle in his eyes and his renowned 'mother always liked you best' look, “and Dick Cheney, President Obama, with John Avila as referee!”

Playing golf with Tom is always a most enjoyable experience! Over the years I have played more than a hundred rounds with him and our regular Tuesday Golf Group. Needless to say, Tuesday golf was one of the highlights of each member's week. If you've ever watched a Smothers Brothers Show, just imagine its humor applied to golf. After either a good or bad shot, whether his or yours, Tom usually had an appropriate humorous comment, the majority not printable. Needless to say, the rounds are loose and there is more laughter than swearing. And what a 19th hole!

There are other little known sides to Tom Smothers - vintner, Emmy winner, Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater San Jose State (where he was an outstanding gymnast), a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, bird watcher, classic car enthusiast - his pride and joy is a vintage Model A, even soon-to-be author. Some 30 odd years ago Tom and Dick started the first Smothers Brothers Winery in Santa Cruz County. Shortly afterwards they purchased 45 hillside acres in Kenwood overlooking the Sonoma Valley, which they named Remick (their mother's maiden name) Ridge Ranch. Initially their label was Smothers Brothers Winery, which they changed a few years ago to Remick Ridge. Their award winning wines include very limited quantities, about 300 cases, of an outstanding certified organic 100% Cabernet Sauvignon using only grapes from Remick Ridge. Incidentally, Tom is still trying to decipher what people meant when they told him his wine had “a funny finish.” He is also extremely proud of being a vintner in Sonoma County, and is passionate about promoting the Sonoma County Wine Country. In fact, one of his tongue in-cheek comments is “Napa makes auto parts, Sonoma makes wine!”

As for becoming an author, he is working on his first book - in fact he started on it about 20 years ago. When Tom fell in love with the game of golf he was advised to take lessons from an established teaching pro. Of course with the travel, his schedule was such that there wasn't any continuity to the lessons, and improvement was slow. As a result he constantly felt that a different teacher was needed, so he changed instructors often and probably has had a lesson from just about every big-name teaching pro there is. Tom eventually got his game down to flirting with a single digit handicap, which got him to thinking about writing a book on golf. Based on having had multiple instructors with a variety of approaches to the game, and although the book is still in the works, the title is in concrete - “The 27 Most Important Things To Remember At The Instant Of Impact.” Tom's fantastic wife Marcy, who works with celebrity chef Guy Fieri (www.foodguyandmarcy.com) has suggested what just might be the ideal title for the book, “How I Stopped Playing and Improved My Game.”

Yes, Tom Smothers is both a comedian and entertainer, but most importantly, a very unique and versatile person as well as a good friend! To find out more about Tom, The Smothers Brothers and Remick Ridge Winery visit www.smothersbrothers.com.