I know, I know… It’s like the cool thing to say with all the TV commercials going on about rock stars recently. But, what if… What if you got the call to hang out with a couple of Rock Stars. Maybe play a round of golf with one? Would you do it? What do you talk to them about. Are they OK to be around? I’ve played with Professional athletes and musicians who both had their fair share of stage time, and I can say that every one of these stars I’ve played golf with has been awesome to be around.

I won’t forget the first time. The first time I played with Alice Cooper. I was in my office on a Friday afternoon and the phone rings. Corporate number. Great… At 4:00 on a Friday, this can’t be good. I answer, and the guy on the other end says “I need you to clear your schedule for Wednesday. We need you to go out and play golf with a Brand Ambassador. You can bring a couple of your staff guys if you want.” I said “wait a minute. I’ve got a full schedule that day. What do you want me to do? Play golf with someone?” “Yes. It’s a Brand Ambassador, so You can bring a couple of golf Pro’s if you want.” “Who am I going to be playing golf with?” I asked. “Oh, it’s Alice Cooper.” “uhhh. OK. I’ll get it done.”

I walked into the kitchen after I got off the phone with this stupid grin on my face. My wife and daughter were in there. I said to my wife, you’re never gonna guess what I have to do on Wednesday. She guessed incorrectly and I said “I have to go play golf with Alice Cooper.” I hear this loud gasp from the other side of the room. My daughter exclaims “Oh my God, you’re playing golf with Bradley Cooper’s mother???” My wife and I just about fell over. I told her not exactly. Google Alice Cooper. Ewwww, Dad… Haha

Now what? I wasn’t an Alice Cooper fan growing up. I heard the stories. The guillotine. The boa constrictor. The blood, the sword… The noise. I grew up a Genesis and a Rush fan. I listened to a little Def Leppard, Judas Priest, maybe some AC/DC in my rebellious days and in various hockey locker rooms, but Alice Cooper. Not a chance. What to do?? Google him, of course… It was as bad as I imagined. Let’s find some head bangin’ golf pro’s and tee it up with a legend (at least in some circles).

When he showed up at the golf course, he got out of the car, introduced himself and the guys in the band that came (Chuck & Ryan). I introduced him to the guys I brought. I played 9 holes with him, and then 9 with Ryan and Chuck. Alice is like playing golf with my Dad – except he plays very fast, and still plays pretty good. He got it around the front nine at Niagara Falls CC in a couple over. His ball is in the air before mine lands. And then we’re moving. We had a lot of laughs. The skin on his face was stained – black, from the make up he wears night in and night out. I expected a monster. Instead, I met a nice guy who was easy to chat with, quick to smile, and has a great sense of humor. I couldn’t wait to play golf with him again.

On the back nine, I played with the guys in the band. Ryan is the lead guitarist, and Chuck is the bass guitarist. The stories were hilarious and not fit to discuss here – or anywhere. Haha. We said farewell and I immediately wondered what the concert would be like. I hadn’t planned on going, but out of courtesy, I thought I should go.

On stage, I saw what I expected to see on the golf course. This guy was a lunatic. No way that this guy (pointing to the stage) is the guy I played golf with this morning.

I was surprised by a couple things. First, I recognized about half of the songs. I’m not sure how, but I did. Second, I was surprised by the audience – specifically the age of the audience. As I watched the show, I thought this guy can still bring it. It was pretty cool. It was hard not to be a fan.

Ryan & Alice.

I couldn’t wait to play golf with these guys again. Since that day in 2015, I’ve played golf with Alice and Co. several times. Last fall I played with Alice, Ryan and Chuck. Just the 4 of us on an empty Binghamton CC. Talk about fun. When I called my wife afterwards, she said “what do you guys talk about?” That day I rode with Ryan. We talked about Readers, fantasy football, his family, my family, travels, real estate, blah, blah, blah… The same stuff anyone would talk about. I told Alice the “Bradley Cooper’s Mother” story. He burst out laughing too. Haha

I asked Alice one time how much golf he plays. He couldn’t wait to answer. He whipped out his phone and he had a notepad on there where he listed every golf course he had played that year (it was October). 270 rounds. Golf courses all over the world. Europe, South America, Australia, not to mention some of the best golf courses in the US. He said he’d be over 300 by years end. Super cool in my book. Turns out he plays 300+ rounds every year. That, my friend, is a LOT of golf.

I asked him “what’s a day in the life of Alice Cooper?” He started with the night before. They played in Ohio, and we were in Buffalo. He was the opening act. They were out of the venue and on the road before the main act even got on stage. They drove through the night, sleeping on the bus. The got to their hotel in Buffalo and he went inside once they arrived. Then up at 7am to go play golf. 9 holes. Back to the hotel, then off to do some radio interviews. Sound check. Nap. On stage at 7pm. Rinse and repeat.

Funny story about that round at Binghamton CC last fall. I looked at Ryan’s golf bag, and his wedges were sticking up about a foot higher than normal. I tried to put them lower. “they won’t go” he says. “Why not?” “I have a speaker in there?” “A speaker? How big is it.” “Here, I’ll show you”. My first thought was Oh, God… He unzipped his bag and he has this monstrosity of a speaker that was so big that he had to cut a hole in the inside of the pocket of his golf bag so he could fit it in there. Hence, why the wedges wouldn’t fit. He says “You want to listen to music?” My mind raced. This guy is the lead guitarist for Alice Cooper. What could he possibly have in his iPhone. LOL. We wedged the speaker in the cart cubby and he picked some pretty good tunes. I wish I knew what it was now.

I was fortunate enough to get the call again a few weeks ago. He was playing a show in Syracuse with Motley Crue and Def Leppard on 8/5/23. It was great to see the guys again. They can still play – guitars and golf. Good times.

So you wanna be a rock star? Or just hang out with one?? Hang out with Alice Cooper and company, and not only will you have stories to share for a lifetime, but you’ll meet a couple of great guys. I look forward to the opportunity, every time I get it. One of the most common questions I get when I walk into a golf shop – especially one where the pro and I have played golf with Alice is “When is Alice coming back to town?” and “Can I play with him again?” Are you next?? Stop what you’re doing and make the time if you get the call – You’ll love it.

Fairways and greens. Rock on!!

jy