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Gary McCord    

Professional Golfer, CBS Golf Commentator, Author

"Life is full of ups and downs, good and bad, but it wouldn’t be fun any other way.” Living his life by this optimistic philosophy, Gary McCord persisted through years of mediocrity before finding great success in many aspects of the world of golf. An outstanding player, announcer, instructor, author, speaker, and even actor, Gary McCord has become a golf celebrity.

Gary McCord is well known for enduring 23 years and 422 tournaments on the PGA Tour without nabbing a single victory. A man of good humor, he boasted a "NO WINS" license plate for years to poke fun at his own less-than-glamorous career as a professional golfer. Despite his challenges on the PGA Tour, he proved his prowess by winning both the Toshiba Senior Classic and the Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship on the PGA Tour Champions in 1999, demonstrating his exceptional skills as a golfer.

"Trapped in the headlights of bankruptcy," as he liked to describe it, McCord pursued other avenues of golf and found himself launched into the world of broadcasting. He scored big when a CBS executive tossed him a headset and asked him to do commentary – giving him only 15 minutes to prepare. A friend of failure, McCord jumped in with no fear and impressed CBS with his performance. Fans and critics alike praise him for his knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and sometimes irreverent wit towards a game that is known for taking itself too seriously. Continuing his broadcast career, McCord has been a color commentator for CBS for over 27 years and remains active in broadcasting, and engaging in various creative projects.

McCord has also established himself as a talented author. The fourth edition of his best-selling instructional manual "Golf for Dummies" was released in January 2011. McCord also worked with Wiley to convert the manual into an instructional DVD in 2004 and a popular app for smartphones in 2011. And McCord delighted fans with his autobiographical collection, "Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists."

Non-golfers might recognize McCord for his appearance in the Kevin Costner movie, "Tin Cup," in which McCord played himself and served as a technical director. In preparation for the film, McCord gave Costner golf lessons along with Peter Kostis, a friend, fellow CBS announcer, and co-founder of the Kostis-McCord Learning Center.

In addition to his ongoing commitments, McCord is involved in creative projects including writing and producing a film about the golfer/gambler "Titanic" Thompson and working on a television sitcom pilot. He plans to maintain his busy schedule by working on various creative projects and enjoying the "ups and downs" of his very busy, very fun life.

Speech Topics


Golf for Dummies

Life's Ups and Downs, Goods & Bads: It Wouldn't be Fun Any Other Way

Golf, Humor, Motivation

News


CBS says Gary McCord used the expression 'raked by the wind,' not ...
A CBS spokesperson confirmed to For The Win on Monday that golf commentator Gary McCord was using the common weather expression "raked by the wind" ...

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