Rob Machado On the Tee with A.J. Ali

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Rob Machado was born October 16, 1973 in Sydney Australia. Three years later, his family located in Southern California, which he has called home ever since. A professional surfing competitor since the age of 14, Machado has led a charmed life. In a career spanning three decades, the globe-trotting Cardiff by the Sea resident has become known as one of the top surfers of all time. His surfing battles, and friendship, with fellow competitor Kelly Slater, are legendary. In the summer of the year 2000, he was inducted into the surfer’s hall of fame.

In addition to being able to ride a 10-foot wave better than most anyone, Machado is a 10 handicap golfer (who at one time had gotten down to an eight) and an accomplished musician. His Rob Machado Surf Classic and Cardiff Beach Fair has established itself as a premier event in the San Diego area. Beginning in 2002, he added the Rob Machado Par 3 Experience charity golf event to raise money for musical equipment for the local elementary schools in the greater San Diego area. Here’s Rob Machado “On the Tee with A.J. Ali:

ALI: In addition to being a world class surfer, you've been known to spend quite a bit of time on the links. How would you describe your golf game?

MACHADO: It was a lot better before I had kids.

ALI: At this stage of your life, if you had to choose between golf and surfing as your one sport until the end of your days, what would it be and why?

MACHADO: Surfing, because just being in the ocean the rest of my life is a peaceful thought.

ALI: What is your favorite surfing moment?

MACHADO: Traveling for two days and then finding an empty perfect wave and surfing with no people around as I did in New Zealand last year.

ALI: What is your favorite golfing moment?

MACHADO: It's a toss up between my hole in one and my charity golf event the Rob Machado Par Three Experience.

ALI: Your charitable golf tournament sounds like a lot of fun. I understand it is part of a larger celebration including surfing, music and other festivities at Cardiff by the Sea. How did it get started and how successful has it been?

MACHADO: Yes, every year in Cardiff, my hometown, the chamber of commerce runs a local surf contest in my name. My manager and I created the golf event four years ago to attach to the surf contest as it just made sense. It's a small event that grows every year.

ALI: Who is your favorite professional golfer and why?

MACHADO: Fred couples, I like his nickname (Boom Boom) and how he just cruises.

ALI: Being able to make a living as a pro athlete is a dream for most people. What do you consider to be the greatest perks of being a pro surfer?

MACHADO: Traveling the world and riding different waves.

ALI: What else besides surfing and golf do you enjoy doing?

MACHADO: I enjoy playing my guitar, ping pong, just chillin'.

Spoken like a true surfer. When asked about how consistent his golf game is, Machado responded like the rest of us mortals, “I’ll shoot an 84 and the time before that I shot one over par for nine holes.” Machado is one of those likeable people that you seem to know the instant you begin talking.

Machado being a surfer and a golfer, I had to ask him what his idea of the perfect day was and he responded: “The perfect day. Hmm. Maybe I’ve already had it. I spent some time on the big island in Hawaii. It’s a super private course. I woke up at sunrise and surfed all morning, had lunch and played 18 holes. Then we went down for a swim and more surfing and watched the sunset with a cold beer.”

Spoken like a true surfer – and golfer.

A.J. Ali, the Mayor of Sportsville, is a free-lance writer and the co-author of “A True Champion’s Guide to Cross Training,” a biblically-based 40-day motivational journal for young athletes. Ali is also President and CEO of Eclipse Sports & Entertainment, a sports-based business development company (www.eclipsesports.com).

© 2006 Ajom Ali. All rights reserved.