![]() ![]() ''This doesn`t bring it back, but it helps.'' ''This is my greatest year, but it could have been better, except for one round in June,'' Kite said Sunday after winning the Nabisco. It was an emotional day, Kite`s first victory since losing the Open. Trying for his first victory in one of golf`s four acknowledged major events, Kite faltered after leading by three strokes early in the last round.Īs Kite defeated Payne Stewart on the second hole of a playoff last Sunday, Christy could be seen on the telecast crying in the background. They even liked him when he shot a 78 during the final round of the U.S. ''They like me whether I shoot 65 or 75.'' ![]() ''The family puts everything in persective,'' Kite said in April. Though Christy is unable to travel much now that all the kids are in school, Kite has the family in tow during the summer. He has never won a pro tournament at which Christy was not present. Above all, he has remained centered on his family. Nor has he allowed even the worst of times to kill his spirit. Tom has never let stardom get to his head.'' I`ve seen lesser pros stick their noses up. ''He treated the caddies and the kids hanging around and the corporate executives all the same-with class. ''For a superstar, he`s an ordinary person,'' Moretti said. If Kite rakes in easy money with endorsements and clinics, he apparently makes an effort to earn it.īill Moretti, co-director of the Academy of Golf at Lakeway, worked with Kite during a corporate outing in St. Kite did not have a stake in the financially troubled development, his father said. Kite, who has taken an interest in golf course architecture, helped design the River Place course near Ranch Road 2222 northwest of Austin. Tom Kite Sr., who handles his son`s business affairs, declined to discuss specifics but said he invests money in stocks, bonds and real estate, including a 522-acre ranch in Salado, Tex. Golf Digest recently reported that Kite will earn $1 million off the golf course this year from his golf-related business ventures. The tour-record $1,395,278 he won this year boosted him past Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus into first place on the all-time earnings list. He also has earned a not-so-small fortune. Kite himself has won 13 tournaments, including three in this year. Play to win, and the money will take care of itself.` '' ''The advice I remember most is, `Don`t worry about the money. ''He`s always been willing to answer my questions,'' Estes said. He`s also helped some of our guys who turned pro, like Bob Estes.''Įstes, the 1988 college player of the year and a PGA Tour rookie this year, said Kite offered a lot of helpful advice. ''Alums aren`t allowed to recruit anymore, but people out there know he`s from UT. ''He`a always said any time we need help, he`s available,'' UT men`s golf coach Jim Clayton said. Kite has less involvement with the men`s team. Kite, who knows Hattori`s Japanese coach, apparently shed enough favorable light on UT that the coach helped her decide on attending school in Austin. Kite, who travels often to Japan as part of his endorsement contract with Cosmo World, the Japanese-based parent company of Hogan, indirectly helped the UT women`s team get its top player, Michiko Hattori. Kite has been an inspirational leader for both the men`s and women`s golf teams, particularly the women. ![]()
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