Bem-vindo a um novo capítulo da nossa série de entrevistas no blog, “Golf Journeys”, em que mergulhamos nas histórias de golfistas apaixonados e nas suas aventuras nos greens. Através de uma cativante entrevista de 5 perguntas, queremos celebrar a alegria, o companheirismo e a inspiração que o golfe traz às nossas vidas.
Nesta nova entrevista, temos o prazer de apresentar o nosso novo convidado – o único e inigualável Greg Monteforte, the visionary founder of GolfThreads, a website and social media accounts dedicated to golf fashion since 2013. Former Style Insider for the PGA Tour, he contributed with weekly articles for six years, showcasing his expertise and connecting with a diverse community of golf enthusiasts. Greg’s influence extends to television, where he filmed engaging segments for Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, covering a range of compelling golf fashion topics.
1- Hi Greg, how were you first introduced to golf?
My grandfather was a golfer. I remember visiting him, waking up on Saturday mornings, and he was off playing golf. He always had one of the earliest tee times.
When I was about nine years old, he gave me a used junior set that he got from a friend. There were persimmon woods, blade irons, and a Bullseye-type putter. They sat in my basement for a few years collecting dust. I was more interested in playing soccer and basketball. Then when I was 12 or 13, my friends and I were looking for something to do on summer mornings before going to the pool in the afternoon and we started playing a Par-3 course.
Somehow I made my high school golf team a couple of years later and I was all in. I was at the course all day during the summers, and I would putt and chip in my basement every day during the winters. I played local junior and amateur tournaments and worked in the bag room and golf shop at country clubs in high school and college.
Ironically, now I’m like my grandfather. I’m up early on the weekends and grabbing one of the earliest tee times.
2- Sabemos que os golfistas têm rituais e superstições próprios no campo. Tem alguma rotina curiosa antes do jogo ou um amuleto da sorte em que confie?
I seem to have fewer and fewer superstitions because they all stop working at some point. Lol!
I have a favorite hand-forged ball marker from Seamus Golf and a favorite ballmark repair tool from Kapalua that I usually have in my right pocket. I also put four long tees in my right pocket and four short tees in my left pocket before every round. This has more to do with making sure I have enough tees for the round, rather than a superstition. Honestly, I care more about my outfits being on point than superstitions.
3- Na Lambda Golf, celebramos o amor pelo golfe e a alegria que ele traz. Pode partilhar uma história comovente ou um momento divertido que lhe tenha acontecido no campo?
I don’t know if there is one story that stands out, but my best memories are getting to share it with people who are important to me. Last year, I spent a few days playing Pebble Beach with my dad. My daughter is playing for her high school team. Being able to spend time with them on the course has been amazing.
My dad and I started playing at the same time, so we became obsessed with the game together. I think I had the advantage because I was younger and had more time to dedicate to it as a teenager, but now he is retired so it has flipped. Seeing my daughter play high school matches and make friends on the course is really cool. I mean, how many dads get to spend a few hours of quality time with their teenage daughters while talking about clubs and golf shoes?
4- Every golfer has a “dream” golfing destination. If you could play a round of golf anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
I was lucky enough to play Cypress Point a few years ago. It doesn’t get much better than that, but Augusta National Golf Club would be at the top of the list for me.
5- Que modelo de calçado Lambda Golf escolheria para essa experiência extraordinária?
I love traditional brogues and wingtips. I also like really clean looks with subtle details. I’m a big fan of my Arezzos e Torinos, but for a round at Augusta, I’d have to lace up the Monza White Diamond. It is a beautiful shoe with the stacked heel and the subtle diamond pattern on the leather upper.
Pergunta bónus: Se pudesse desenhar o seu par de sapatos de golfe de sonho, que características teria? Seja criativo e deixe a imaginação voar!
In high school, I had a pair of wingtips with a white base, navy patent leather on the toe shield and heel, and light blue patent leather on the saddle. They are still one of my favorite shoes of all time. I would recreate those with all the modern comforts and technologies of today’s shoes.
Thank you, Greg!
Instagram: @golfthreadsblog
Website: www.golf-threads.com
Fique atento a mais entrevistas cativantes com golfistas de todos os percursos de vida. Mal podemos esperar para partilhar mais histórias inspiradoras.