Dennis Quaid took a smoke break after launching his approach into the water guarding the green Thursday at the par-5 13th at The Carolina Country Club.
After taking his drop and finding the green with a short pitch, two burly bodyguards pleasantly asked the gallery to pause as the movie star strode by during the first round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am.
What was unique about the attending security detail was that the crowd following Quaid numbered only eight people. The same amount also trailed the day’s other biggest attending celebrity - actor Greg Kinnear - while Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney drew the most interest, with a crew of about 20 watching him navigate the course.
The crowds appeared very light on a picturesque day with the biggest groups sitting in the private 18th hole grandstand and the sponsored hospitality tents overlooking the ninth green. On many holes, the volunteers outnumbered the fans.
One of the jewels of the Nationwide Tour’s schedule might be losing some luster since moving away from The Cliffs courses and losing such regularly participating and well-known faces as Kevin Costner, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
“There were a lot of people, I think we had more than last year on Thursday,” said Tim Mervosh, The Carolina Country Club general manager and director of golf. “Obviously Thursday is going to be the slowest day as we move toward Saturday.
“You don’t get that many people on the golf course because they kind of hang around the clubhouse and watch the golfers on Nos. 1, 9, 10 and 18. Overall, it was a super day. It couldn’t have been better.”
Those who chose to walk the course and follow Kinnear, Oscar nominated for ‘As Good as it Gets’ and the star of such hits as ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and ‘You’ve Got Mail’, received a heavy dose of the actor’s easy-going nature.
After the round Kinnear pondered a second career as his professional playing partner, Brenden Pappas, finished the day tied for ninth at 6 under.
“He tore it up and last year Rick Price was my pro and he went on to get his PGA Tour card that year,” Kinnear said. “Is it me? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but I think people are starting to wonder. I got a call from (Phil) Mickelson this morning, but I’ll need to see if I can fit him into my schedule. The bookings have just come so fast this spring.”
Kinnear, who said he annually plays in about three celebrity tournaments, returned to the event for the second consecutive year. He has a brother who lives in close proximity and it’s a chance to come visit family and friends while playing golf for a good cause.
And what prompted a second straight appearance by Quaid?
“They asked,” he said. “They do a good job and I like coming here. It’s beautiful country, but it’s really the people that make it so nice.”
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