ASCENSION CHARITY CLASSIC

September 4, 2024

Steve Alker

Norwood Hills Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the Ascension Charity Classic. Just overall thoughts being back in St. Allusion this week.

STEVEN ALKER: Yeah, well I didn't play last year. I enjoy coming back here. Love the golf course. Just kind of a lot of different holes, different shots you got to play. Greens are slopey, so, yeah, just got to be on your game to shoot a good score. I enjoy coming back and playing here.

Q. Schwab Cup race is tight right now. You are currently ranked No. 3; you got your first win out of the gate this season. What's it going to take this week?

STEVEN ALKER: Just keep going. Just try to win. Ernie has had three wins this year and Steve has had three as well. Just got to keep going and just try to keep pace and just try and get some wins would be great.

And then kind of in the Playoffs, if I'm situated good, sort of Top 3 in the Playoffs, you know, double points (indiscernible.)

Q. So how do you explain your rapid rise later in the life with golf?

STEVEN ALKER: You didn't hear? Golf gets easier at 50. (Laughter.)

Just kidding. As I said, there is no secret sauce. I've said this before, there is no secret. I've stayed fit. I kept playing. That was the big thing.

And the change in environment was huge for me. Playing with those young guys on the Korn Ferry and the PGA and then coming out here and just showing my game off, and kind of feel like I had enough game to win out here.

So just going to let it all hang out. It's been pretty good so far.

Q. Obviously you prove you along. Wondering early on when you're winning and you're high up there in the points and you're higher up than Golf Hall of Famers, has there been like even your surprised yourself, or you just knew you had this in you?

STEVEN ALKER: Yeah, I kind of knew it was in there, you know what I mean? To what degree you don't know. To be playing amongst those guys and being in their company and beating them and kind of still learning. That's the thing, like when I came out I was still watching and learning and picking their brains.

So that was kind of fun, too. I like that side of it. I got to know the guys a lot better. Made some good friendships. So it's been a lot of fun, too.

Q. St. Louis is a sports town. Obviously a lot of fan support here. What does it mean to have this tournament here and have the support of the community?

STEVEN ALKER: I think it means a lot. Community is what these events are all about. Having the support, getting the fans and the volunteers involved. I'm going to go and see a baseball game on Friday night, get some sport in me.

Yeah, I like that side of it. And to have good turnout, get some good crowds here, and always fantastic.

Q. You had a couple Top 10s here, Steve. What specifically about this course fits your eye?

STEVEN ALKER: Yeah, more so driving. I'm a pretty good iron player, so it's -- you just got to drive it well around here to give yourself a chance at some good iron shots.

So and then imagination on the greens. That's what I like, too. I like the slope on the greens. You got to place your approach right, and if not, you got to use your imagination on the green.

That's what I like about it. It's kind of old school. We don't play too many like that now.