‘Hey, there’s Skinner’s house’

By Joe McAdory

Remember when I bumped into NASCAR driver Mike Skinner the other day? Well, I nearly did it again Saturday in Port Orange, Fla., at yet another golf course.

After nearly kicking off an early-morning round of golf at the Spruce Creek Fly-In by myself, a marshal apparently couldn’t handle a single on the course and decided to pair me with a group. That’s fine, whatever. The group was originally scheduled to be a foursome, but one of the members didn’t show. That person, I’m told was NASCAR car owner Richard Childress. So, RC’s buddies decided to call another friend, Mike Skinner, who happens to live at the Fly-In, just a few miles south of the Daytona International Speedway.

I promise, Mike, I ain’t following you.

Well, Skinner couldn’t make it either, so the group was stuck with me, who has never won a race nor owned a stock car. The guys were all going to the Pepsi 400, oops, I mean Coke Zero 400, Saturday night. Two were in town for the event. Another was a friend who lives at the Fly-In (a residential community with an airport, runway, etc.)

One guy, Dave, was Childress’ pilot. He said he had a pretty good gig: fly around, play golf, and make a lot of money. Another, Ken Barbee, is a racing merchandise entrepreneur. Remember Chase Authentics and Sports Image products? Those were his. Those dudes make far more money than I, and I appreciate the times they found my lost golf balls. Poor people like me can’t afford to lose golf balls.

Bruce, my playing partner, lives at the Fly-In and is also a good friend of Childress. He pointed out Mark Martin’s digs, Kevin Harvick’s house, and the mansion of some big shot in the Mary Kary cosmetic company. John Travolta used to live here, but folks say his jet was too big and too loud, so he had to move.

Bruce pointed out, ‘hey, there’s Skinner’s house’ as we approached the 12th fairway. Big place. Spanish tiles on the roof, palm trees in the yard, enclosed pool, etc.

I’ll be down here for a few more days. I wonder who I’ll run into next?

‘Hey, you’re Mike Skinner’

By Joe McAdory

Happy Fourth of July. I’m not sure if today will include fireworks for me, but I’m sure BBQ will be involved.

I spent Wednesday at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., where I got the chance to play the King and Bear Golf Course, designed by legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Walking out the clubhouse door, I held the door open for an approaching patron, who said “thank you.“ Then it dawned on me who it was. You’d think if I bumped into someone halfway famous I’d think of something better to say than, “Hey, you’re Mike Skinner.“

He said, “yes.“ Glad to have reminded the NASCAR driver of his identity, just in case he forgot. Maybe he was having an identity crisis since his career has sent him to the Truck Series, where he is very competitive, rather than the Cup Series. Maybe he can proudly say, “people still remember me.“

NASCAR people. Hardcore NASCAR people. Other than that, sorry dude.