Nice guys finish last…just don’t tell that to Brendan Steele. Brendan is the owner of three PGA tour wins in addition to seven other professional wins. The Safeway open is considering renaming the tournament after him. He is a man with great taste in music and great appreciation for his family. AngryGolfHulk was able to steal some time in the off-season with Brendan and picked his brain on music, acting and life on tour. Sit down, grab yourself something to drink and read on about one of the nicest/coolest guys on tour.
Brendan Steele-There is no golf course in the town I grew up in so I played a lot of baseball and soccer until I was 13. My older half brother was playing a lot of golf at the time and I always wanted to do whatever he was doing so I started to play. My dad put a net and artificial putting green in our backyard and that’s where I really learned how to play.
BS-My dad always liked golf but never really played himself. I mostly just played a round or Two on vacation until I was about 13. My parents sacrificed a lot of time getting me all around Southern California to play. It seemed normal at the time, but looking back on it, what they did was very special.
BS-It went pretty smoothly for me. I think that mostly had to do with playing for a smaller D1 school (UC Riverside) and the group of guys that I got to practice and travel with.
BS-It was a Spanos Tour (A California tour that A.G Spanos Company sponsored for three years) event at Stevenson Ranch in California. I don’t remember a lot about the round but I think there was a mix of excitement and nerves.
BS-My degree is in business administration and while it would seem like I don’t use it at all, I’ve effectively been running a small business for the last 13 years so I’d say I’ve use it somewhat. I’m trying to set up a few opportunities for myself now that would pay off after I’m done on the PGA tour so I may use it more then. Senior Tour is a long way off, but I’m not sure where I’ll be in my life or what will be going on with my family so I don’t really know what I would do.
BS-Phil and I always have a great time playing matches. We use them as tune ups for big events. I know most people think Tiger is going to win “The Match” but I’m team Phil all the way.
BS-After I won Valero in 2011 I bought myself a Maserati and a Breitling. The car might have been over the top, but it was awesome to have a trophy on wheels if you will.
BS-I actually am and I get residual checks from time to time even though my lines got cut.
BS-Not at all. I’m terrible.
BS- used to collect a lot of sports memorabilia as a kid. A lot of it is still really important to me but I don’t really add anything to it these days.
BS-I’m a huge sports and music fan. I love going to concerts and games.
BS-So much is made about the Masters and all I can say is that with all the hype, it’s actually way better than you can imagine.
BS-She gets that a lot. People think it’s an alias.
BS-The CJ Cup in South Korea
BS-They are awesome. I always go with the buckeye.
BS-Charles Howell and Adam Scott
BS-I listen to a lot of the same stuff I did in college. Lots of Linkin Park, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Nine Inch Nails. Newer bands I really like are Of Mice and Men and Bring Me the Horizon.
(Editors note: This man has great taste in music. Go check out some of his pics)
Tool-Aenema
BS-In 2014 I went on a search for the best iron I could find. I tried just about everything and the Wilson FG100 blades were by far the best. Luckily for me they were willing to bring me on board.
BS-I shanked one over the grandstands in Mexico last year. How’s that?!
BS-Under the circumstances the 7 foot par putt to win Valero in 2011
BS-It’s very rarely fun for me these days. It’s become a job for sure. I can still have a good time going out and playing with my friends at home, but I’m still critiquing everything I’m doing so that takes some of the fun out of it.
BS-Find a way to get a club in your hand. You don’t have to grow up at a country club or get lessons every week to be successful and most importantly enjoy the game and the challenges it brings. I lose sight of that a lot.
BS-It wouldn’t be my favorite thing to do.
BS-I give them to friends, I’ve donated them to local college teams, young pros and junior golf programs.
BS-I talk a lot so I never mind some chatter. I know I annoy some of the guys I play with. I talk too much
BS-Yes definitely. I mess around a lot with 3 woods and putters. Not as much with everything else.
BS-Haven’t played much for awhile so I’d say not great.
BS-It varies a lot unfortunately. During the off-season my trainer works me pretty hard but it’s difficult for me to maintain that intensity while I’m on the road by myself.