Burr Breaks Silence

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Steve Burr celebrates in 2007 with the Cup he claimed he would never relinquish.

Burr however Leaves unanswered questions about team 1997’s future

November 10, 2008
Team 1997’s Steve Burr, a player who was the object of much scorn from golf pundits during his two year Phi Alpha Cup winless streak, only to rebound to become the hero of the 2007 Cup, once again found himself in the middle of the post-Cup discussion in 2008. Burr’s combustible behavior Friday evening was rumored to drive a wedge between the members of Team 1997 – a team that after racing out to a 2-0 lead in the 2008 Cup, fell apart in the final two days to lose the title.

Burr sat down with Golf Tour Magazine’s Bill Matherson to clear the air on the rumors surrounding the 2008 Cup, addressed his up and down play over the years and his current standing with his Team 1997 teammates.

GTM: Friday night of the 2008 Cup. The photographs. The newspaper reports. The rumors that you verbally attacked several of your teammates. What really happened?

Burr: It’s just a situation where you have certain players who are supposed to be leaders on this team not taking care of themselves, coming in injured, and at the same time, not doing the things that are going to help you get better. Does that include Friday night appearances at Red Dogs? I suppose to some people it does.

GTM: A favorite haunt of yours, coincidentally.

Burr: Not necessarily.

GTM: Have you ever been there?

Burr: I don’t remember ever being there.

GTM: This is a picture of a man of your same stature and physical build, your likeness and the same “Vanilla Burr” hairstyle you made famous. The subject of this photograph has his shirt off and a Hurricane malt liquor in his hand. There is a Red Dogs sign in the background. Do you recognize the person in this photo?

Burr: I don’t believe I do.

GTM: Many think this is a picture of you.

Burr: Many people think I’m leaving the Cup to focus on promotional appearances. Doesn’t make it true. Doesn’t make it false either though.

GTM: You were also quoted in ‘New York Magazine’ as saying, ‘There isn’t a bar in Manhattan that can hold a candle to Red Dogs. I own that place. My picture is on the wall. My nickname is Red Dog Grizzly Burr inside that venue.’

Burr: If you’re trying to insinuate something why don’t you just come out and say it?

GTM: I’m suggesting, I think quite plainly, that you have indeed been to Red Dogs and that the reports that you yourself were there the night before Saturday’s matches are accurate. But nevertheless, there were clearly some issues with Team 97 that arose between Day One and the remaining days of the Cup. Can you talk about what upset that chemistry?

Burr: There were some issues that surfaced, yes. It’s hard to pinpoint what, when or where because I don’t exactly know what those issues were. But clearly, you can understand why I would be upset. It’s a strange game.

GTM: I’m not following your logic.

Burr: Listen closely.

GTM: I believe I am.

Burr: Not closely enough.

GTM: Let’s move on. Where is your relationship now with the rest of your teammates and will you be able to rebound for 2009?

Burr: You’re assuming I will be playing in 2009.

GTM: Should I not?

Burr: Should you not what?

GTM: Let me ask my question like this. What caused Team 1997 to lose possession of the Cup this year?

Burr: You know, you seem to have a lot of questions, so let me ask you a few. In 2007, when we were victorious, I prepared like a champion should prepare. I went through eleven mock-sock combinations for those matches. Eleven. Fast-forward to 2008. One of the team members comes in with a hip injury where he or she can barely walk. How do you injure a hip at this age if you are preparing properly? Then you see that individual trying to break line and enter a nightclub the night before a pivotal day of matches? So did I scold that individual and maybe try to make him go to the back of the line? Of course I did. What rational human being wouldn’t?

GTM: I think it’s customary for members in the same party to enter restaurants and bars together. The reports suggest that the person you are referring to was part of your group, and in fact your teammate.

Burr: Have you ever been to Red Dogs, Bill?

GTM: I haven’t. But just to be clear… you’re admitting that the reports were accurate that you yourself were at Red Dogs Friday night and this is where the confrontation began.

Burr: This interview is over.

Jeff Cohen could not be reached for comment.