Historic Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco was the setting for a friendly golf skills challenge Aug. 6 between IZOD IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal and Presidio Golf Camp participants -- all under the age of 10. No wagers were exchanged.
Rahal was in the Bay Area in advance of the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 23-25. The challenge included a longest drive and closest-to-the-pin contest on the scenic course. The event also included a putting challenge on a pre-set course featuring race-related obstacles, including tires, racing gloves and helmets.
"I grew up near a golf course in Columbus (Ohio) and participated in a lot of golf camps myself when I was younger," said Rahal, who plays often during breaks in his schedule. "Golf is a passion of mine that actually works well with my racing career because a lot of business gets done on the golf course, and it's just a lot of fun."
Said 7-year-old Drew Doll: "This was pretty cool. I never met a race car driver before. He was pretty good. I guess golf is kind of like racing. You have to worry about braking (breaking) left and right."
Rahal, who finished fifth in 2012 for his best finish at Sonoma Raceway, is featured in the track's Total Access package, which includes a race day Q&A with Rahal and his father and team co-owner Bobby Rahal. The package is available by calling 800-870-RACE or at www.racesonoma.com/indycar. Other race weekend tickets are available.
"Sonoma Raceway is just a very unique course. Everything there happens really quickly and it's hard for a team or a driver to master and dominate on that track," Rahal said. "I had a strong finish there last year, and I'm looking forward to another good run."
Source: Indycar.com