Jimmer Fredette laughs after several unsuccessful attempts to hit out of a bunker during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in South Lake Tahoe. (Randall Benton/rbenton@sacbee.com)
By Ailene Voisin
avoisin@sacbee.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Jimmer Fredette is a rookie at this. Seriously, he hasn't done this before.
Before his inaugural appearance Thursday in the celebrity pro-am at the American Century Championship, the Kings first-round draft choice had never played in a tournament, never played before a crowd, and could count the times he has ever lifted a golf club.
"About 10-15," Fredette said before heading to the course for what is essentially a practice round. "Don't expect much. I'll hit it pretty far, but I can't drive it straight. The ball slices on me."
Fredette, who attended the ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday night and was working on about four hours sleep, came as advertised. His drives had a wicked slice. He hit into a few bunkers. He struggled with his putts.
But he remained good-natured as he walked the course, often waving to a crowd of few dozen that included his parents Al and Kay Fredette. At the driving range earlier in the day, the former BYU star was introduced to other notables competing in the tournament, among them, Charles Barkley, Kenny Lofton and Digger Phelps.
"I'm glad he came up here," Barkley said while taking a break in shade. "It's going to be good for him. He's in the NBA now. He's going to have four months to do nothing. You get tired of playing basketball every day. He's going to have to come up with some other hobby."
When Fredette approached a few minutes later and the two shook hands, Barkley cracked, "I want to see how you play. Don't get nervous out there."
Fredette, who met Dirk Nowitzki and several other NBA stars before receiving his ESPY award (fans vote) for the best college player, is paired with Tim Tebow and Herm Edwards and expected to tee off Friday at 11:35.
Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.
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