TEEING OFF

18 Holes With No. 18 — Sidney Rice Finds Golf Suits Him To A Tee

he story of how I got there is a long one and perhaps best told another time, but basically I stood how heavy it is versus the clubs I’m used to. Rice was born in September 1986 in Gaffney, S.C., T A CONVERSATION WITH TONY DEAR • SPECIAL TO CG scored 13 touchdowns. A dominant 2012-13 season saw him start all 16 games and make perhaps his two most in Sidney Rice’s basement watching him hit balls into a about an hour west of Charlotte, N.C. and 150 miles memorable receptions for the Seahawks, first against the simulator that’s hooked up to a Trackman giving him the north of Augusta, Ga. A natural athlete, he played both New England Patriots at home where he caught Russell specifics – spin rate, club head speed, ball speed, angle basketball and football for the Gaffney High School In- Wilson’s 46-yard pass for a game-winning touchdown, of attack, smash factor, carry distance, etc., of every shot dians breaking all sorts of school records. Highly sought then two months later when he held on to another Wilhe hits. It’s an impressive set-up. after by a number of top football programs, Rice signed son lob to clinch an overtime win against the Chicago

This is my first time in a Super Bowl champion’s for the University of South Carolina, and again broke a Bears at Soldier Field. house, and it’s a strange feeling. Had I grown up a Se- number of records scoring 23 touchdowns in just two Sadly, Rice tore an ACL in a game against the then ahawks fan, I’m sure I’d be having trouble breathing let years with the Gamecocks. St. Louis Rams in October 2013 (Week 8) ruling him out alone speaking with the man. But I’m English so grew up Drafted in 2007 by the Minnesota Vikings in the sec- for the rest of the season and causing him to miss Suwith an entirely different version of football. ond round (44th pick overall), Rice formed a potent part- per Bowl XLVIII. He announced his retirement from pro

I’ve been here long enough to know who Sidney Rice nership with quarterback Brett Favre, especially in 2009 football in July 2014 at the age of just 27, citing multiple is though and, as a general sports fan, am well aware of when he was selected for the Pro Bowl. concussions as the reason for his decision. what he has accomplished and his level of athleticism. Rice joined the Seahawks in 2011, and over the Clearly he needed a new challenge, even harder than So it’s no great surprise to pick up his 8-iron and feel just course of the next three seasons made 97 receptions and the last, because he took up golf!

Photo courtesy of Rod Mar/Seattle Seahawks

What have you been up to since retiring from football?

“When I first retired, I spent a few years traveling the world. Currently enjoying entrepreneurship and investing. And obviously golf.”

Has ‘Super Bowl Champion’ got boring yet? Will it ever?

“No, it hasn’t and I don’t think it ever will.”

Do you still get recognized everywhere you go?

“Surprisingly, I do get recognized quite a bit. Especially here in the Seattle area. Makes sense though because they have some of the best sports fans in the world here.”

How much do you still follow football, and the Seahawks? Who are you still in touch with?

“I still enjoy watching football on Sundays. Of course I’m going to follow the Seahawks and the Vikings. There are not many players that are still on the team from when I played but I do keep in touch with some of the players. Bobby Wagner is like my Little Big Brother.” The Seahawks were pretty good this season, but obviously didn’t win the Super Bowl. What were they missing?

“I would say the main things they are missing are an offensive line. There are some pieces there that could work but need to be more consistent in protecting Russ and working together while not moving people around on the line. The other thing would be a couple of solid edge rushers.”

Okay golf; when did you first play?

“I think the first time I attempted to play golf was in a charity tournament about five years ago.”

What do you like about the game?

“I find golf to be very relaxing and stressful at the same time. I think it has given me my competitive edge back as well.”

Where do you play, and how often?

“I am a member at Aldarra Golf Club and I play as much as I can. Anywhere from one to five times a week depending on the weather.” Do you have a regular foursome?

“Yes, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a great group of friends that love golf just as much as I do and, between all of them, it’s pretty easy to find a foursome amongst us.”

What are you good and bad at?

“I would say I’m good at hitting the ball far and I’m getting decent with my wedges. My accuracy and consistency shows up on the card quite often.”

We met at Gamble Sands. What do you think of the place?

“I think Gamble Sands is amazing. What a beautiful track, wide open and hard to lose your ball. I also shot my lowest score at the time there — an 84.”

We played at the new Sand Point in October. What did you like about that course?

“I think Sand Point is wonderful as well. It gets tricky if you haven’t played there before. You could end up on the wrong tee box. The views are amazing and the course is obviously maintained very well.”

Moscrip Family And Duke’s To Award Three $500 Scholarships in 2021

At the 1991 Junior America’s Cup played at Carlton Oaks GC in Santee, Calif, a 16-year-old John Moscrip from Seattle was paired with a 15-year-old Californian who was beginning to make a bit of a name for himself. Tiger Woods had won the first of his three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles the week before at Bay Hill in Florida.

Moscrip, now 46, says his memory of the round is hazy, but he does remember coming to the 18th green with a chance to outscore his opponent. “If I holed my short par putt, I’d beat him by one,” he says. “But I missed horribly, and we both ended up shooting 74 I think.” So while he never beat Woods, Moscrip does enjoy telling the story of how Woods tied him. “That’s how I remember it anyway,” he laughs. “I didn’t tie him, he tied me.”

Moscrip played the mini-tours for a couple of years after earning a Business-Marketing degree at UW. “I don’t think I was ever quite good enough,” he says. “I didn’t have the burning desire to be the best in the world which you certainly need and, to be honest, I’d always dreamt of wearing big-boy clothes and going to work.”

He got into a conversation with his restaurateur father about opening up a QSR (quick service) outlet for Duke’s Seafood and calling it ‘Duke’s Chowder Bar’. It thrived in downtown Seattle for several years and proved very popular.

Moscrip had inadvertently transitioned into the restaurant business — “never my intention,” he says -- and soon found himself the General Manager of Duke’s Seafood’s Lake Union location. Now, 15 or so years later, he is the company’s Chief Operating Officer and a partner in the business his father had set about building in 1972 when he invested in Ray’s Boathouse in Ballard. Duke’s now has seven locations in the Puget Sound area, and certainly didn’t survive the horrors of 2020 unscathed, but is in a good position heading into 2021. “It was obviously a tough year for the restaurant industry,” says Moscrip. “We’re still not out of the woods by any means, but we’ve learned to adapt with pickup, delivery, and make-at-home meal kit options. And the Governor has moved restaurants from Phase One to Phase Two, which means we’re able to have 25 percent capacity indoor dining. So we’re definitely on the way back, and business has started to pick up.”

Also back is the Duke’s Seafood Junior Golf Scholarship. Despite last year’s struggle, Duke’s, which first got the idea for the award in late 2015, never stopped paying out, taking the total awarded to aspiring professionals, superintendents, caddies, general managers, and course architects to over $20,000.

Moscrip, who won a two-man event at Chambers Bay in January shooting a better-ball 8-under 64 with partner John Phipps, plays off +1 at Snoqualmie Ridge and says there is no stipulation on what the $500 award is used for. “If the winner needs gas money to get to his or her next event, wants a new driver or putter, or decides to subscribe to golf publications or add to their golf book library, that’s fine with us. Use it for whatever’s needed.”

If you want to be considered for the scholarship, email stephens@varsitycommunications.com with a letter and resume of inquiry.