Raven's Pro Parenti Has
Background Out of Hemmingway Novel

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

March 21, 1999: What if you could grow up playing golf at a Decatur, Illinois country club, go on to play college football, and sail the seven seas in the United States Navy? Life would be good. But on top of this, you land a job as a golf pro at one of Arizona's premier golf facilities and star in a Cleveland Golf commercial with Corey Pavin and Andrew Magee? Pat Parenti, acting manager and head golf professional at Phoenix's Raven Golf Club at South Mountain took life up on this no brainier of an offer - all before checking into his late thirties.

With a background straight out of an Ernest Hemmingway novel, it is no wonder that a guy that Parenti has landed at what many consider to be THE place to tee it up in the Valley of the Sun.

"The philosophy at the Raven is anticipation. We pride ourselves in anticipating our players every need, from the trunk of the car to the 19th hole. If there is something you want and we don't have it on-site, we'll get it for you."

It's no wonder that Michael Jordan recently took Parenti and the Raven up on their customer service at all costs attitude.

Parenti began his golf career in Lafayette, Indiana and then fled America's breadbasket for the promise of the Sun Belt. But teaching the game of golf in the southwest's golf mecca isn't his only passion. "I like to spend time with my family, repairing clubs, and working on my fairway grass."

That's right, the humble abode of one Pat Parenti boasts some of the best-kept tracts of grass in the Valley. This guys eats, sleeps, breathes - and mows - golf. You get the feeling that if Parenti had pursued his "runner-up" career of aviation, that Phoenix golf would be missing out on one of its real characters.

Let's face it, put your average golfer on the range next to a PGA teaching professional and its like putting Happy Gilmore at the rockpile next to David Duval. But even the silky, solid style of play that Parenti brings to the game looks up to the Big Boy tour on occasion.

"Freddie Couples' swing is just incredible. To see it on television is one thing, but to watch him in person is another - his swing is so effortless yet powerful".

But despite his admiration of Couples, when asked to name his favorite player, Parenti displays a loyalty that only a tenure in the Navy, or a sweet day job at the Raven could cultivate.

"Andrew Magee is my favorite golfer."

Does the fact that Magee is the official PGA figurehead of the Raven figure into this affinity?

Parenti admits that it does, but is quick to point out that McGee brings many qualities to the table, including his great attitude and fundamentally sound golf swing.

Every weekend hacker is looking for the keys to a consistent golf game, even if it means making a deal with the devil, or taking out a second mortgage for lesson upon lesson. If Parenti could offer only one morsel of advice to players everywhere, it would echo a sentiment bestowed upon him by none other than Curtis Strange over a cold beer years ago.

"Always try to get your left shoulder under your chin, and keep your head behind the ball."

With advice like this, I had to take a stab at getting Pat Parenti to pick this season's NCAA college basketball champ.

"You've gotta go with Duke," concedes Parenti.

Who am I to disagree with an ex-Navy, ex-football playing golf pro who stars in commercials.