Condoleezza Rice Hits Spectator With Ball at Pebble Beach, Says Diplomacy Easier for Her Than Golf

by NESN Staff on Fri, Feb 8, 2013 at 9:25AM

Condoleezza Rice has spent more time golfing since her days as secretary of state ended. But she may have thought to work on her game earlier if she knew she could get people’s attention this well.

Rice played in a pro-am at Pebble Beach on Thursday, her biggest public event since becoming one of the first women to be admitted as a member of Augusta National. She combined with Jason Bohn for a 2-under 70. Her approach on the sixth, though, was what really turned heads.

Rice was on a steep hill with no clear sight to the hole when she let her approach fly, and she nailed a spectator on the forehead. The wound “gushed with blood and sent [the spectator] to the ground to recover,” according to The Associated Press.

Rice made sure to get the spectator’s phone number and apologize, and the woman who was struck recovered enough to be walking the course later and not need stitches.

Rice admitted that, while she can play golf, it’s still not exactly her forte.

“Somebody asked me, ‘How did it compare to diplomacy?’” she said after completing her round. “And I said, ‘Well, I know how to do diplomacy. I’m not sure about the golf course.’”

Rice’s game suffered a bit after the errant shot, but an already impressed cadre of fellow golfers left with the feeling that Rice can find her way around with a golf club when needed. That’s something for the rest of the world to keep in mind.

Photo of the Day

Bill Murray dropped by Pebble Beach to get a break from his train-driving duties.

Quote of the Day

“I think he set himself apart in Baltimore sports history, and we will certainly look into it, and I would not be surprised if there is one there in the next year or two.”
– Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, on the team building a statue honoring Ray Lewis