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Alice Cooper, Huey Lewis play on area golf courses

Golfers at a couple of Dayton’'s country clubs were surprised in recent days to see headliners of Fraze Pavilion performances teeing it up in their midst.

On the day he was scheduled to perform at The Fraze, rock star Alice Cooper warmed up by playing 18 holes in the morning at Dayton Country Club.

A week later, on the day after his show in Kettering, Huey Lewis played golf at NCR Country Club.

Those familiar with Cooper are aware that he loves the sport, is proficient at it and plays often.

DCC head professional Keith Fisher got a sample of Cooper's golf prowess July 18 when the ageless performer showed up for an 8 a.m. tee time arranged by the area’s Callaway Golf representative.

"He's a pretty interesting guy," said Fisher, who joined Cooper, his guitarist, Damon Johnson, and a couple of their friends for the last nine holes of their round. "He really has a great understanding of the game."

Fisher said Cooper shot 74 and tied him on the nine holes they played together.

"He showed me some things I didn't know," the 28-year-old Fisher said. "He was teaching me a different type of chip shot that John Daly showed him. Then he demonstrated it by chipping in for birdie on the 16th hole."

Fisher said Cooper came into the pro shop after the round and watched a bit of the British Open telecast before leaving.

"He really liked the golf course," Fisher said. "He said it was one of the better golf courses he’s played." Given that Cooper has played some of the country’s best golf venues, places like Pebble Beach, that was a strong compliment. "I think he was very sincere," Fisher said.

Overall, Fisher said it was "a really cool experience" to play with a man whose hit songs include one called "No More Mr. Nice Guy."

Lewis had some time after his Sunday, July 25, show to stay in Dayton the next day and play golf. Although NCR had an afternoon outing that day, arrangements were made for him and three members of his band, Huey Lewis And The News, to play the South course before the outing began.

Kettering Mayor Don Patterson, a member of NCR and no stranger to golf, hosted the group.

"He's a good sticker," Patterson said. "He shot 81. He whupped me by eight strokes. He was giving me lessons because I was slicing."

Patterson said Lewis was a down-to-earth person. "After 10 minutes, it was like we'd known each other," he said. "We were talking about everything."

Like Cooper, Lewis is an avid golfer.

"He said if he's not playing music or at his ranch, he’s playing golf," Patterson reported. "Wherever they are in the world, they turn the TV to watch golf."