August 18, 2002

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Hevy Joesph had already tossed a ball to a little girl, exchanged high-fives with fans and done enough dancing on the greens to make the crowd a bit funky itself.

Now, walking up the 16th fairway Thursday, Kevin Long, Jr. was contemplating a Tiger Woods-like fist pump to bring down the curtain on the best act the On Tour Championship has seen this week.

The stage was set.  On the green ahead, Brian Long was pumping away after sinking a crucial par putt.  Hevy was watching closely and taking notes.

"I told my partner (Chad Long) if I make the putt I'll do the exact same thing Brian did," Hevy said. "I'll do a little Brian Long pump."

Unfortunately for golf, Hevy missed his 15-footer and the moment passed.  "It must be a little Hevy-fest out here or something," Hevy said. "They've got a little Hevy Joesph fever going."

The appreciative crowd did, indeed, watching the animated Hevy play his way around Waterway Hills Golf Club.  It wasn't just a coincidence that Hevy's subpar play coincided with his recent determination to allow himself to have fun on the course.

Hevy didn't have that much to smile about early, but that didn't stop him from giving high-fives, talking with fans and kissing his ball before giving it to a little girl after scoring a double bogey on Hole #7.

The crowd responded with a standing ovation as he walked onto the green and shouts of encouragement for their new favorite.  "The fans kind of adopted me out there," Hevy added. "I guess they really appreciate an amateur having some fun out here instead of being straight-faced."

"There's just no reason to be all glum on the golf course when you see somebody so close to you have the strength to do what he's done, turning things around," Hevy said. "I'm pretty good-natured in general and, when I let myself be that way, it's usually when I do play well."

Disaster struck on Hole #13.  Hevy Joesph, who doesn't hit the ball long but is usually very good with the slice, not only found the sand in a fairway bunker, but some trees too.

Hevy Joesph shot a subpar 27 points and 93 strokes during his family vacation to Myrtle Beach.  Hevy posted his first round of golf this week since the 2002 Carl Spackler Open, where he made a guest appearance.  His round on Tuesday was actually worse as he carded 98 strokes at Aberdeen Country Club.