Meet the Tide Golfers: Freshman Gator Todd
4/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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By Drew Godfrey, UA Media Relations
With a name like Gator, you might think he should be golfing in Gainesville. However, Tide freshman Gator Todd has been a major contributor for the men’s team this season, playing in eight of Alabama’s 10 tournaments this season, including all five this spring, and shooting a season-low 69 in both the Coca-Cola Tournament of Champions in the fall and the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate this spring. In the following interview, Gator discusses the origin of his name and why the high school All-American decided to bring his successful game to Tuscaloosa and the Crimson Tide.
To tee us off, here’s a question I am sure you get a lot. Gator? A nickname or the real deal?
“I got the name when I was about three months old and haven’t been called anything else since. I’ve heard a lot of stories about how I got the name. The best is a little embarrassing, but I was told when I was little and I was getting my diaper changed I squirmed like a gator.”
In high school, you accumulated many honors such as All-state, State Four Ball Champion, All-American, and Florence Times Daily Player of the Year. What award has meant the most to you and why?
“Probably the All-American award my junior year. The year before I wasn’t even ranked in the top 100 of junior golfers. It just showed me how much my hard work had paid off.”
In high school, you also played baseball and basketball. What made you decided to stick to the clubs?
“Well, I loved baseball and still do. I’m 5’11 though and I realized I wasn’t going to get a lot bigger, so I took up golf and stuck with it.”
Your father, Richard Todd, quarterbacked the Tide in the 1970s. Did that influence your decision to golf at UA?
“I’ve always been a Bama fan, but Dad was really supportive and told me to go wherever I wanted. Jay Seawell actually influenced my decision. I was headed to Auburn before I heard coach had been hired.”
What is the best celebration dance you have ever seen or done?
“I’ve never really done one to be honest with you. How about the Tiger Woods fist pump?”
