Stuart Appleby Profile

HEIGHT: 6’-1’’ (186 cms)
WEIGHT: 195 pounds (88 Kilos)
BIRTHDATE: May 1, 1971
BIRTHPLACE: Cohuna, AUSTRALIA
RESIDENCE: Orlando, FLORIDA
FAMILY: Wife, Ashley; Daughters, Ella (1/12/05) and Mia (1/3/06)and new son Max
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Action sports, motor racing
TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 1992
JOINED USPGA TOUR: 1996

About my Golf

I started playing in Cohuna when I was 14, hitting golf balls around my parents' farm! I think I became a state junior level player when I was 18.

To become a better golfer you have to practise hard and be VERY patient. In time your game will grow...it may take 10-20 years but it can happen... look at me.

I've had my coach - Steven Bann - since I was 18 and he's made a big difference to all parts of my game. He's given me guidance through all parts of my career.

EXERCISE is very important!! I always warm-up and stretch before each round (for about 15-30 minutes) and then warm-down and stretch after all my practice is done (again, for about 15-30 minutes). My trainer, Vern McMillan, helps me to develop training programs that continually improve my fitness and flexibility. You have to consider yourself to be an athlete as well as a professional golfer.

You need a good foundation of flexibility when you're young, and then keep working on it for when you're older.

It will make a huge difference in keeping your swing fresh even when you're old like me! In my weeks off the game I spend a bit more time in the gym doing harder work to increase my preparation and fitness for when I head back out for the next section of events.

My Equipment

I'm using Bridgestone clubs and balls, bag, visor, towel, gloves... I love all their gear. It's made a big difference to my growth in the game. I've been with Bridgestone (with its Precept brand) since 1992. You'll see me wearing "Bridgestone" on my visor this year (rather than "Precept") because Bridgestone have just released a new line of fantastic clubs under the "Bridgestone Golf" brand. Check them out!!!!

Life on Tour

There are so many great guys on Tour. We all understand that golf is a hard game; we get along well - not like many other sports. Nick Price is one of my favourites, he's always fun and full of great advice. I don't really have any Tour goss off the top of my head, but I'll keep working on it.

PGA Tour “Chat with the Champ”

Stuart Appleby was the first on the receiving end of the PGA TOUR’S new “Chat with the Champ” Question and Answer segment after his third straight Mercedes Championship win.

PGATOUR.com: What is your favourite PGA TOUR golf memory as a kid?

APPLEBY: I would say getting up in the early hours of the morning to watch the British Open before I went to school.

What is the last non-golf sporting event you attended?

APPLEBY: I went and competed in the Targa Tasmania, a road rally in a Lamborghini.

What did you do on your first date with your wife?

APPLEBY: We went out to dinner and chatted for hours. I do remember going to the toilet a fair bit, maybe I was nervous?

What is the weirdest place you've been noticed and been asked for an autograph?

APPLEBY: Sorry to say nothing too weird has popped up like that yet.

What is your favourite food?

APPLEBY: Mom’s roast lamb and veg -- it's a clear winner.

What was the TV show you couldn't miss as a kid?

APPLEBY: I loved watching the sports shows on the in the afternoon on weekends.

Name one restaurant in a TOUR tournament city you have to visit every year?

APPLEBY: We never miss "Nans" Thai restaurant in Atlanta -- unreal.

Approximate number of golf clubs you have at your house?

APPLEBY: I get all my gear for free and I'd have to say I know more amateurs that have more clubs than I do. I think I'd have less than six sets of clubs in my whole garage.

How many pairs of shoes are in your closet?

APPLEBY: I survive on less then six pairs of shoes with ease.

What's better, the NCAA basketball tournament or the college football bowl season?

APPLEBY: You asked the wrong guy, I don't follow either.

What’s your favourite candy bar?

APPLEBY: Luckily I don't have a big sweet tooth, but I miss some of the candy that we've got in Australia now and then.

How many movies will you see over in a single year and favourite movie?

APPLEBY: I've just become a father so watching movies is a thing of the past for us. I don't think I'd see more than six movies in the last two years. Don't have a single favourite movie, but a certain one with the initials “CS” comes to mind.

As a chef in the kitchen, what's your specialty?

APPLEBY: I do wish I had a specialty in the kitchen, but I manage to keep the house feed and away from a hospital.

What was the name of your pet when you were a kid?

APPLEBY: Growing up on the farm we had that many dogs over the years. I remember them all for different reasons.

How many chin-ups do you think you could do right now?

APPLEBY: I'm pathetic at chin-ups. I wish I could tell you that I could do more than six.

Have you ever caught a foul ball or home run ball at a major league baseball game?

APPLEBY: The last thing I caught was a cold. I've not been in the right part of a field to get the hand out.

If you had to watch an entire awards show, would you watch the Academy Awards, the Emmys, the MTV Music Awards or the Grammys?

APPLEBY: Please don't make me watch an awards show -- no interest in them.

What’s the best place you have ever visited?

APPLEBY: Home on the farm with my parents at the end of a year.

What’s your favourite Course?

APPLEBY: Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne, and St. Andrews -- sorry I couldn't pick one.

What’s your favourite golf hole?

APPLEBY: The one I just birdied.

What’s the best shot of your career?

APPLEBY: I'll let you know when I think it deserves that status.

What’s one mulligan you'd like to take?

APPLEBY: I missed a putt in 2004 on the final hole of the Australian Open (to) force a playoff that one I'd love to have again.

What’s the oldest club in your bag?

APPLEBY: My Bridgestone 3-wood has been in the bag for over five years.

What’s the best book you have read not written by you?

APPLEBY: I'm not a bookworm by any length, but my last book was called “The Dig Tree." It was about bridging the vast open space of central Australia in the 1860s and getting explorers to connect with the North. It was the single most important event in Australia's history for many years.

When was the last time you bought a golf ball?

APPLEBY: My wife buys a ball at the majors for her father, but I can't remember buying one since I turned pro in ’92.

If you were not playing professional golf what would be your career job?

APPLEBY: I really don't know, maybe a trade job, maybe a farmer. I didn't actually have a future lined up when I turned pro.

Who would be in your dream foursome?

APPLEBY: Me and my mates would be the best foursome I could think of.

Who is your favourite male athlete?

APPLEBY: Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Andre Agassi are the pick of the crop.

And your favourite female athlete?

APPLEBY: Steffi Graf.

What’s your favourite sporting event, non-golf?

APPLEBY: I can't think of one that comes to mind. I love many sports -- sorry for the broad answer.

Who would you buy a ticket to watch?

APPLEBY: I'm not a person that turns up to events. Big screen TVs make it even more realistic then ever, so maybe I'd get a bit closer the screen.

Who’s your favourite musician or group?

APPLEBY: My wife plays all sorts of music in the car so I've got to listen to a wide variety, but I like "Ministry of Sound" and Moby.
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