Q&A with Jim Payne of Better than Ezra

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Better than Ezra plays a free concert at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, Louisiana-based rock band Better Than Ezra took time out of their busy schedule to put on a free concert at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship's Birdies for the Brave Military Appreciation Day. Before they took the stage, Maureen Radzavicz caught up with the band's keyboardist, Jim Payne, who also happens to be an avid golfer.

PGATOUR.COM: How long have you guys been together?

PAYNE: We met at school and still remain friends ... 1988 back at LSU in Baton Rouge. A few members later, we're still trucking.

PGATOUR.COM: How did you get your name?

PAYNE: It's better left as a mystery, because the things people come up with are better than what it actually means.

PGATOUR.COM: How long have you been playing golf?

PAYNE: I've been playing golf since I was about seven. My dad was an avid golfer and took me to tournaments. It's a labor of love...I try to get better, but it seems like I just keep getting worse.

PGATOUR.COM: What's your handicap?

PAYNE: I'm safely about a 10 or 12. Not bad.

PGATOUR.COM: How much do you get to play?

PAYNE: As much as I can... weekends when we're not playing, days off. I love to go play. My best round ever was even-par.

PGATOUR.COM: Who's your favorite player on TOUR?

PAYNE: A lot of these guys here (on the Champions Tour)... Tom Watson, Fred Couples. I love Tiger (Woods) and Phil (Mickelson). I think these guys here (at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship) are the ones I idolize... Mark O'Meara, Fred Couples, I followed Tom Purtzer earlier today. I just met Hale Irwin and talked to him high-fiving the crowd (at the 1990 U.S Open). He's like, "that was 20 years ago!"

PGATOUR.COM: What's your favorite course?

PAYNE: Pebble Beach. This course (TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm) looks beautiful though, I'd love a chance to play this one. It's gorgeous. We really had a great time out there today, walking around and watching the best of the best.

PGATOUR.COM: I know you've played at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans , do you have any stories from meeting TOUR players over the years?

PAYNE: Yes, we played two years in a row. Andres Romero won last time we played. Our good friend Kelly Gibson who was on the PGA TOUR for years and now develops courses all over the state and all over the U.S. We're really, really good friends with Kelly and he's introduced to Emyln Aubrey and all of these great guys over the years. John Daly actually got up and sang with us at House of Blues in New Orleans. He's a good guy, great looking pants he's wearing these days.

PGATOUR.COM: Dream foursome?

PAYNE: Annika Sorenstam, myself, Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples.