Q+A Don Berry

It was no surprise that Minnesota's own Don Berry was one of the
two club pros who made the cut at the PGA. Berry, the director of
golf at Edinburgh USA Golf Club in Brooklyn Park, had set the
competitive course record at Hazeltine with a six-under 66 in
1997. Berry, 40, ended up shooting a 14-over 302 last week to
finish 64th and earn low club pro honors.

SI: Are you bummed that Rich Beem, Justin Leonard and Robert
Allenby shot 66 in the second round to steal some of your
thunder?

DB: Not at all--and I'm not surprised, either. I will say, their
scores are more impressive because of the conditions.

SI: You've been the Minnesota PGA Player of the Year for seven
straight seasons. What's it like to play with the big boys?

DB: I've been the big fish in a little pond for the past decade,
and then all of a sudden I'm swimming in the ocean. My goal was
to play well for four days, but I couldn't transfer my game to
this level. To not be able to perform this week has been
humbling, demoralizing and disappointing.

SI: Has the entire experience been overwhelming?

DB: Absolutely. I've been playing next door to my hometown, and
I've had a lot of friends and family come out. I feel as if I'm
pressing because of that. Last year I played my first PGA, at
Atlanta Athletic Club. I signed autographs and would hear people
say, "Who was that?"

SI: Are you a bigger celebrity than Tom Lehman?

DB: Not at all. Tom is the king of Minnesota golf. I don't even
know if I'd make court jester.

SI: You shot a 71 in the second round to make the cut. How did
you celebrate?

DB: I went back to the pro shop at Edinburgh. I had to make some
calls and do paperwork for an hour and a half.

SI: You mean you had to fold shirts and do some vacuuming?

DB: I'm past that stage. I really did have some paperwork to take
care of. Trust me, I'll be back in the shop first thing on Monday
morning.

SI: When you're behind the counter, do you ever daydream about
hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy?

DB: Definitely. It's always been a dream of mine to win the PGA.

SI: How does your victory speech start?

DB: I haven't gotten to that point yet. Ask me that next year
when I play well.

COLOR PHOTO: CRAIG JONES/GETTY IMAGES LITTLE FISH Berry, the top club pro in Minnesota, was out of his depth at the PGA.