Interview With Britt Pavelonis Mini Tour Professional Golfer

Below is an interview with Britt Pavelonis, the Mini Tour Professional Golfer at . The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography?
I started playing golf at age 3, went to Southern Illinois University and was a 2 time Missouri Valley All Conference Selection. I have been playing professional golf on and off since 1993 while working various jobs to support my career. I stepped away from golf for several years, but the itch came back in 2009 to do it as often as I could afford. I have been unable to play full time due to not having sponsors/investors, but also to take care of my family. My father has had cancer twice, mother once, and a tornado destroyed parts of my home and all of my parents in 2012, so I am looking forward to getting in a full season in 2014 if financially possibly. I have won over 50 Professional tournaments, played the PGA Tour Canada from 1995 to 1997, and a couple of Web.com events. My favorite tournament each year is the Illinois Open in the Chicago area. The people are great and I have finished very well there over the years with several top 10 and top 5 finishes.

Anyone interested in helping me fund my golf dream or invest in me, please check out http://igg.me/p/687627/x/6437214

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game?
At age 3 by my dad and grandpa. I just remember all the fun and laughs that I had as a kid playing with those two and many others. My dad and grandpa taught me to play by the rules, to give my all, and to accept the challenge of each shot.

What is your current home course?
I play at my hometown 9 hole course, Shawnee Hills CC in Harrisburg, IL, but also am fortunate to be able to practice at nearby Dalhousie GC in Cape Girardeau, MO. Dalhousie is one of the best golf courses, I have ever played.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
My proudest golf accomplishment is being able to play professional golf without ever having a large sponsor or backer. I have worked many jobs (waiter, usher, golf courses, teacher, probation officer, superintendent in a medium/maximum security prison) to keep my dream alive and been able to continue on playing. I would love to play a season or two with knowing my entry fees were covered by an investor. What a relief that would be. Also, being able to help others in golf by teaching them, getting them on golf courses, or just talking golf with them.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
On the golf course is practice swings. Once you have chosen your club, take one practice swing, line it up and hit it.

Off the golf course it is people without manners or inconsiderate of others.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why?
My favorite club is my 4 iron. I just feel comfortable with it no matter what the shot calls for.

What is your favorite golf destination?
Anywhere I can play golf with my Dad. But a real destination that I have been and like is the Pinehurst area. I have always wanted to play some of the fine Michigan courses also.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
I have two. Cypress Point in California because I have always thought that it was beautiful. Butler National in Chicago because that is where I first saw a PGA Tour event when I was in college and just loved the golf course's character.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Just a great course that is fun and you get to use all of your clubs.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I think that a divot in the fairway should be treated as ground under repair. I just think it is unfair to hit a perfect drive in the fairway and be penalized for it.

Dream foursome (living)?
My dream foursome would be my Dad, Arnold Palmer, Former Oakland Raider Tim Brown, and myself.

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
I would have to make it a fivesome with the three above and adding my grandpa. Then I would have all my heroes in one group.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long putt for sure. A long putt can save the hole even after a bad shot or a couple of bad shots.

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
The round of my life. A great round means that you hit many good shots to accomplish your result.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
I like twilight. What better way to end the day. Plus, I have always loved trying to squeeze in that extra hole knowing it may not be possible.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power draw because it goes further.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway house for me.

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
I prefer the bathroom, but the bush is always good if you can't make it.

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Definitely a Hot Dog. Wrap is way too healthy.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Sand because it easier to judge how the ball is going to react.

9) Walking OR riding?
Walking for sure. You get the full enjoyment of the course and your playing partners

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
A hybrid. I have a 18 degree Adams hybrid that I use as a 2 or 3 iron. The hybrid is easier to hit and lands much softer than a 3 iron.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 3 because I believe a par on a long par 3 will put you ahead of most of the field with a par and almost everyone with a birdie.

12) Pants OR Shorts?
Shorts for sure, but I don't mind either since as a professional you have to wear pants most of the time.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
Arnold Palmer. My dad's favorite, so I loved him too, but didn't get to see him in his prime. I also named my yellow Lab Palmer because of him.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
I will go with the Beatles because they were a complete band.

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
I like both, but I will go for fun because I can do that with anyone and I play for money most of the time as a job.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Flop shot by far. Love to practice this shot plus it is the bigger challenge of the two.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
I usually gamble if I am in a good frame of mind. Also, according to whether I have next weeks entry fee covered too. If not lay up and get next weeks entry fee. LOL

18) 18 holes OR 36?
36, 54, how many can we get in before dark. No better sleep than the night after an all day golf affair with friends.