A DOSE OF DALY
Doc digs deep on fan favourite
“Grip it and rip it!”
The immortal words of golfer John Daly, a man gifted with such tremendous ability on the course, but who also battled the vices of alcoholism and gambling, and had run-ins with the law and suicide attempts away from it.
This week, ESPN premiered its newest 30 for 30 film Hit it Hard, an in-depth look into the life of Daly, a fan-favourite for his ability to crush the ball off the tee, his exuberant golf attire and his no-holding-back approach on the course. He also battled demons throughout his career. In 1998, battling alcoholism, Daly began shaking and broke into tears at the Greater Vancouver Open in Surrey.
In an interview with SportsCenter, Daly admitted this film was a “tear-jerker.” David Terry Fine, who co-directed the feature with Gabe Spitzer, spoke with Postmedia News about the film and the life of John Daly:
Q There are so many golf stories out there. John Daly is certainly one of them. But why John Daly?
A I think Gabe and I like telling sports stories that are bigger than the sport they’re centred around. And with John, the way he talks about his life and the person he is — first of all, he stands in such stark contrast to the world of golf, or at least the way it was interpreted and seen, especially in the early (1990s). John was different. And I was growing up at that time. In 1991 (when Daly won the PGA Championship), I was 10 years old. He was like a big deal to me in the world of sports. But then, from a film narrative perspective, I think Gabe and I gravitated toward John’s story, it’s a universal one in the way he talks about it, the ups and downs and highs and lows. That’s John in a nutshell. And I think a lot of people can relate to that. I think that’s why they love John. And we tried to make a film that was very true to that.
Q Some of the stories that were brought up, where he’s talking about alcohol addiction and gambling and suicide — was it difficult to talk to John about these moments in his life?
A I think of John as very brave, honestly. Sort of embracing this mantra of just putting it out there, being honest with the people and sharing his life with them. I think, ultimately, that’s made him a happier person when he just lays it out there. To that end, in interviewing him and talking to him about this ... there was really very few things where it felt like, ‘Oh, this is tough ground for John.’ He talks about it with a certain ease. That said, there were a few things that were tough to talk about. One thing that comes to mind is how other golfers perceive him. He wants to be respected in the game and I think everybody knows he’s an incredible talent, and saw him win in some amazing circumstances and know he’s a winner.
Q What interview was the most compelling … in your mind? Was there a testimony in this documentary that really stuck out with you?
A First of all, John, just talking about his father and some of the things he went through there. I was not expecting any of that. I sort of have to take back what I said earlier. That wasn’t easy for him to talk about. We researched this thing really well and he shared with us on a level we weren’t expecting. That was very courageous of him and I think it says a lot about where he’s been and the father he knows he wants to be now.
Q John had released a country song ... was the title of the 30 for 30 film based on (Daly’s) song Hit it Hard?
A He gave us some CDs while we were there and I remember riding around and trying to find something to eat in Dardanelle (Ark.), and listening to that record. And it’s just a phrase that it’s so simplistic, but it’s also said around him, about him, he says it a lot. And also, he made this song about it and I cracked this joke to game that … it seems obvious that we should name the movie Hit it Hard, but we should also make a music video. It sort of hit at the backbone of the movie … and I think a lot of the things he talks about in the movie — John’s a very consistent guy. He’s very honest. What he has to say is always on par. That song, it sums him up in a nice way. Like anybody, you can’t sum him up in an hour. John is a very complex person, a very interesting person and an amazing person to chat with.
Q Did your impression of John Daly change from when you started the film to when it was over?
A Absolutely. I had never met him before. I had just researched him and grown up with him on TV. I went in wondering, will he really be that honest and will he really lay the cards out? And he did. I also went in wondering how easy he will be to work with and he was incredibly gracious. That ratio of scope of someone’s fame and importance over time versus how they treat you is always an interesting thing and with John, he’s been in the public for so long and he’s had people wanting his autograph and wanting his picture for so long, and yet he still does it for everybody and is so nice and kind. That’s something I had to see in person.
Q In the song (Hit it Hard), he sings, “No laying up, no holding back.” Is that an accurate representation of who he is?
A I think it’s absolutely who he is on the golf course. I think in his personal life, he used to go a lot harder than he does now. He’s getting older. He’s got kids now and he’s got a different set of priorities … in the early ’90s, when half of the film is about that ’91-’95 period. He has a different life now. He doesn’t hold back or layup on the golf course, that’s for sure. He goes for it.