Washington’s Golfing Governor

Christine Gregoire is Washington State’s 22nd governor. She’s also one to hit the links on occasion. Here is a candid interview with the Evergreen State’s First Golfer.


The RV Golfer: At what age did you begin golfing?

Gov. Gregoire: When my husband, Mike, and I got married, we made a deal: he would learn to downhill ski if I took up golf. I learned to golf in Spokane, Washington, where we started our family. We’d go out and play in the evening with the sun setting and deer wandering across the fairway. My favorite nights were those when no one was playing behind us, and we could just take all the time in the world. The secret of golf is to relax and find your natural swing.

The RV Golfer: What is your handicap?

Gov. Gregoire: I don’t have one.

The RV Golfer: What is your best score?

Gov. Gregoire: Probably in the mid-80s for 18 holes. Mind you, that was on a regular course, not one of those short executive courses.

The RV Golfer: What are your favorite golf courses, and why?

Gov. Gregoire: I love public courses. I’ve done most of my golfing in Spokane and the city and county courses there are wonderful and affordable. Mike and I have never belonged to a private club. I’m particularly fond of Sun Dance over in Spokane. I haven’t been there in awhile but the course was always very well maintained and the grass was great. I especially liked the atmosphere—it’s in a pine forest. It’s an 18-hole, par 70.

The RV Golfer: Please share some of your fondest memories on a golf course.

Gov. Gregoire: I was eight months pregnant with my first daughter, Courtney, when I decided to go out on Hangman course in Spokane with my husband and a couple of our friends. I was joining them for the walk because I figured it would be difficult to swing when I was that far along in my pregnancy. On the 10th hole I decided to give it a try anyway. I teed up on a long par 5 along the river and probably hit one of my best drives ever.

The RV Golfer: Do golf and politics mix? (Do you ever talk shop on the golf course?)

Gov. Gregoire: Golf is one of my escapes from politics, so I try not to mix the two.

The RV Golfer: Does your family golf?

Gov. Gregoire: My husband, Mike, loves to golf and after his retirement, my father-in-law golfed quite a bit. My daughters, now as young adults, are beginning to show some interest in golfing. We’re planning a family golf outing on a short course so they can get a feel for the game. Mike and I don’t want to burn them out on a tough 18-hole course their first time out.

The RV Golfer: Since being elected governor, have you had much time for golf?

Gov. Gregoire: No, but my husband thinks I need to relax more, so he’s trying to get me out on the course more.

The RV Golfer: What other activities besides golf do you enjoy?

Gov. Gregoire: I love downhill skiing in the winter and water skiing in the summer. Mike and I like to garden and go on bike rides, and our whole family enjoys just about anything outdoors, like hiking, berry picking, that sort of thing.

The RV Golfer: Given that your time is at a premium as governor, do you still find time to practice, even if you can’t go out to a course?

Gov. Gregoire: Mike and I have done a little practicing on the lawn of the executive mansion. The weather is really nice now in Olympia. So, hopefully we can get out there soon.

The RV Golfer: What is the course you would consider your home golf course?

Gov. Gregoire: Mike and I have never belonged to a private course. For us, part of the fun of golf is trying new courses all the time. Mike, in particular, gets bored if we keep playing the same course.

The RV Golfer: Do you get to golf when you travel?
Gov. Gregoire: Not often. The logistics are tough.

The RV Golfer: What type of clubs do you use?

Gov. Gregoire: I’ve had the same set of clubs for more than 20 years and I’m not even sure what brand they are. I think I’ve done pretty well with them, but my husband thinks it’s time for me to upgrade to something new. He’s convinced the new technology is going to help my game.

The RV Golfer: Do you have any preference on golf balls?

Gov. Gregoire: It’s become a joke in the family to give me the silliest balls anyone can find for holidays—all sorts of colored balls and ones with cute designs. I’ll play with whatever’s handy. I’m not picky. Once in awhile Mike tries to sneak an exploding ball into my bag when I’m not looking.

The RV Golfer: Have you golfed in any tournaments?
Gov. Gregoire: I’ve played in a number of fun charity tournaments, but nothing serious. The Attorney General’s Office has a golf tournament every year. Mike is a Vietnam veteran and he wants me to play in a veterans’ tournament that’s coming up. I think it’s going to be a scramble.

The RV Golfer: Would you recommend golf to anyone considering taking up the game? Why?

Gov. Gregoire: Golf is a great game; it’s a sport for all ages. I’m really excited that my girls are getting interested in playing. It’s a great family sport.

The RV Golfer: Has golf helped you mentally in your career? (Has it played a factor in decision-making?)

Gov. Gregoire: Well, golf has taught me a good deal of patience. It’s also taught me to relax and keep my sense of humor because your golf game isn’t something you can really perfect. You’re always learning and experimenting and, hopefully, getting a little bit better. It’s a mental game and you’ve really got to practice to be good.

The RV Golfer: Have you ever shot a hole in one? If not, how close to the pin did you come, and what was your feeling/reaction?

Gov. Gregoire: I swear there was this one time I was out golfing and I hit it straight for the hole, but I never could find that ball. I assume it was a hole-in-one and someone pulled it out of the cup before I got there. Someone suggested I might have hit into the water, but I just can’t imagine that happened.

The RV Golfer: Please summarize golf as it compares to life.

Gov. Gregoire: I think Gary Player, a South African golfer, said it best: “The harder you work, the luckier you get” and “A good golfer has the determination to win and the patience to wait for the breaks.”

The RV Golfer: Do you have any additional comments you’d like to share?

Gov. Gregoire: I suppose my golf game has been more influenced by the case of Caddyshack than by Jack Nicklaus. I’ve got a competitive streak, but for me, playing golf is all about having a good time.

Rick Stedman is an avid RVer, golfer and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. He can be reached at rick.stedman@charter.net