February 23, 2006

AMBRIDGE, PA — When Rob Fustich returned to his native Pittsburgh from Tanglewood Park in June 2004, everyone thought the Red Zone violations were all in the past.

Especially when Fustich left Winston-Salem telling 47 other participants, "This was great. I will be back next year."

Meanwhile Fustich requested that friends and family play it low-key, and they obliged. The flood gates broke and Fustich mailed the business office for the second time in 3 years saying, "I have another bun in the oven. I am out this year."

Fustich has since signed to participate in his 2nd major championship in Clayton, NC. He signs as the 14th player to represent the state of Pennsylvania.

In an interview session with Jason Watson, Vice President of Awards, we expose the worst Red Zone Violator in Carl Spackler history. Robby recounts some of the highs and lows of his parenting and golfing career -- choosing birth over golf and why he has decided to return in 2006.

Watson: "Hey Rob!"

Rob: "Hey. Nice to meet you."

Watson: Let's cut to the chase. Do you fully understand what you missed at Mountain Valley?"

Rob: "I have heard a little and it bothers me."

Watson: "With a huge red notification on the website reminding everyone of the Red Zone Alert, how does someone fail twice in 3 years?"

Rob: "Have you ever seen my wife? [Rob pulls photos from his wallet] Would you say no to that?"

Watson: "It is all about self control and using protection when out of control."

Rob: "I know. I know. It was a missed opportunity. I can tell you there are no hospitals in Pottsville. I looked into bringing the wife and staging her in Schuylkill County. There was no place to have the baby except at the River Inn. What would you do?"

Watson: "Do you think this will happen again?"

Rob: "Probably not. I have no more room in the house."

Watson: "How much has parenthood hurt your golf?"

Rob: "In my prime -- I shot 85 consistently."

Watson: "Really?"

Rob: "Yep. I used to caddy at a private course in Fox Chapel. Free golf. It fed my need for cigarettes before college. The members knew a carton of cigarettes was better than cash. I would get out quite a bit."

Watson: "So you are a real life Danny Noonan."

Rob: "Kinda. Isn't he the caddy that got the restaurant waitress pregnant?"

Watson: "That is very interesting stuff. Let's switch gears. What is your fondest memory of Spackler while it lasted?"

Rob: "Probably when Chad Long drove all over the golf course looking for a 7-iron that was in his golf bag."

Watson: [laughs] "That is pretty good. Anything else?"

Rob: "Myers scaring kids from a wedding party at the hotel pool."

Watson: "The statistics [Watson reading from printed paper] says you hacked pretty bad at a very easy Tanglewood Park. Any ideas for this year or recommendations for our rookies?"

Rob: "Refine your swing. Practice it. Be the ball as much as possible. More importantly, do not allow 10's and 12's on the same nine holes to get you down."

Watson: "Anything else?"

Rob: "No. Everyone plays horrible every year because nobody in this group can handle pressure. If you can just play your game, you will place well. It see it every year."

Watson: "Are you aware that Greg Long is legend in Ambridge?"

Rob: "No. He did live here in low-income housing project for 3 years."

Watson: "Do you still have those retro woods actually made out of wood?"

Rob: "Yes. Do you think that is a problem? My grandfather gave them to me."

Watson: "Nevermind. Are you excited about playing in North Carolina again?"

Rob: [Rob lights up] "The cigarettes in North Carolina are cheaper then any other state in the union. I am very excited about the venue. Eugene and I have already talked about strapping our golf bags on top of the car so we have extra room for cartons of cigarettes."

Watson: "Do you realize smoking kills?"

Rob: "Not me. I am an iron man."

Watson: "Since you are the official Red Zone Violator, do you have any advice for guys?"

Rob: "Not really."

Watson: "Come on. You must have learned something."

Rob: "Wear a condom to work, to church, to dinner. Just wear a condom everywhere in August and September."

Watson: "How many kids do you have?"

Rob: "A lot."

Watson: "Do you have any parenting advice?"

Rob: "Yeah. A little. Teach them the golf swing early. Start them around 3 years old. Make sure it is a pure swing. Keep them out of baseball where the coaches teach the slice. Get them to the range often. Swing until their hands bleed. Retire on their success."

Watson: "Interesting. One more question. What do you think about your chances to win a Golden Jacket in June?"

Rob: "This great tournament is handicapped and my present handicap cannot really get any worse. I plan to get out this spring and refine my special swing. Practice it. Be the ball and more importantly stay focused for 54 holes. I do not want return and end up in the first group on Saturday. Another debacle in 2006 puts my name with golfers like Hoffert and Watkeys. That frightens me."

Watson: "Thanks."

Rob: "No problem."

The 2006 Carl Spackler Open begins in 104 days. Player preferences begin on Wednesday.