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Labonte drives to victory

NASCAR star tops GHC pro-am field

Robert C. Reed

Professional PGA golfer Tim Simpson (right) helps longtime friend and NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte with his stance on the driving range. The team consisting of Simpson, Labonte, Charlie Cobb, Roger Young and Rick Beasley won the morning pro-am at the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn Golf & Spa on Wednesday morning.

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ABOUT SIMPSON AND LABONTE


Tim Simpson, 53

Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.

He turned pro in 1977. His first professional win came in the 1982 Cacheral World Championship in Nimes, France.

A bout with Lyme Disease and a number of other neurological disorders sidelined him for several years in the early ‘90s. He played some on the Nationwide Tour in the late ‘90s and joined the Champions Tour in 2006.

To date, Simpson has 66 top 10 finishes in his PGA Tour career.

Bobby Labonte, 45,

Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas

He began his racing career in 1982 as a mechanic and fabricator for brother, Terry’s team. Later that year, he got behind the wheel for his first Nationwide Series race at Martinsville.

Labonte joined the Sprint Cup at the beginning of the 1993 season and won the championship in 2000, beating runner-up Dale Earnhardt by 265 points.

Sources: pgatour.com, gghf.org, bobbylabonte.com


By Richard  Gould | Hickory Daily Record

Published: September 16, 2009

CONOVER - Bobby Labonte took some time off from his day job to play a round of golf Wednesday morning with his longtime friend, Tim Simpson, at the Greater Hickory Classic's Great Grand Champions Pro-Am.

Best known for his prowess behind the wheel of a stockcar on a NASCAR track, Labonte looked confident as he warmed up on the driving range. He said he was feeling good about his long ball but was a little concerned about his three and four irons.

He didn't need to worry — his team, consisting of Simpson, Labonte, Charlie Cobb, Roger Young and Rick Beasley, won the morning pro-am. They shot a 53.

As they got ready to get under way, Simpson gave Labonte some tips to fine-tune his swing.

Simpson laughed and said, "Today he's going to get a driving lesson from me."

Simpson, a veteran pro golfer, said he and Labonte met at a NASCAR pro-am about 15 years ago and they didn't just win the tournament — they became friends.

This is the first year they've played in the GHC pro-am together, but Labonte said he jumped at the chance to play when Simpson called to invite him to the tournament.

"This is pretty much the only thing I'd take time off to do," Labonte said.

A round of golf may not seem like it has much in common with a day at the track, but Simpson said there are some similarities between NASCAR drivers and PGA players.

"You're only as good as your last race or your last tournament," he said. "Bobby and I have a great friendship that crosses the bounds between the two sports."

Now that Labonte has competed in Simpson's sport, it may be time to return the favor.

"I need to let him get in the car," Labonte said.

Simpson said he's had his eye on the car for a while now, and he'd love a chance to get behind the wheel.

As for his strategy for the tournament, Labonte laughed and said, "I would say I'll let my talent take over — but I don't think it will."

The second installment of the Greater Hickory Classic's Great Grand Champions Pro-Am kicks off this morning with a new set of golfers.

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Labonte drives to victory

By Richard  Gould | Hickory Daily Record