Chippy Levitch is a character. Chippy has always been a part of the Muni Kids Brand since the beginning in one way or another, but never in any official form. We are excited to have him officially on our team as a Brand Ambassador and Blogger contributing right here on THE BOGEY FREE BLOG. Chippy will bring a lot of humor to the blog and the guy just flat out knows how to have a good time! We sat down for an interview with Chippy so you guys could get to know him a little better.
Tell us a little about yourself, Who is Chippy Levitch?
I'm a guy who enjoys the finer things in life, an ice cold beer, a tasty cocktail, golfing with my friends, and above all, having a line in the water catching fish. I've been working in the golf industry my entire life, with jobs ranging from outside/guest services, pro shop operator, caddy, golf course maintenance, and most currently Assistant Superintendent.
You grew up on a public course, you work at a public course, what do you love so much about public golf?
The people, period. When I was growing up at River's Edge in Bend, Or, I built up a great relationship with the Director of Golf, who later became my first boss. Instead of sending me out on my own, he would pair me with whatever group wasn't full. It was such a great feeling to meet new people and play golf with them, especially when they'd see a little kid beat them. I spent a solid 8 years of my childhood and young adulthood at the Edge and became friends with so many people I would never have met otherwise. As time passed by and I moved away from home, I've found new homes at the local public courses, along with new friendships with the regulars at these courses. When I moved to Concord, Ca where I currently am the Assistant Superintendent at the local muni, it didn't take long to be adopted by their Men's Club which I am now a board member of.
How has being a part of the public golf culture your whole life shaped who you are as a person?
More than anything it has created a very thick skin. With betting comes jokes, and there has been plenty of both on and off the course throughout my life. This has taught me to have a great sense of humor and to not be too uptight. Friends joke around with friends, that's part of life, when a guy makes fun of your putting, or lack there of, sink a 40 footer to take $20 off him. This culture has taught me most of all to use adversity as motivation.
Any muni’s on your bucket list? Whats your favorite public track?
Bucket list would be, in no particular order, Pacific Grove Golf Links, Jefferson Park, and the token answer of Bethpage and Torrey Pines. My favorite public track, and there isn't a close second, is Tokatee in Blue River, Oregon. The track, the location, the people, there is no other place I've ever been where I would rather play a round of golf. One of three locations I will have my ashes spread.
We know you love your cocktails, what’s Chippy’s drink of choice on the course?
It's not a true round of golf if you don't have a screwdriver...or 8. Other acceptable answers would be a Man Cran (absolute mandarin vodka, cranberry, soda, lime) or an eraser (shot of chilled patron with a pineapple back, best taken at the turn to "erase" the front nine). However on hangover days I'll typically settle for a Silver Bullet.
You have been a big part of Muni Kids since day 1, but now as an official ambassador and contributor, what excites you about getting even more involved?
I'm excited for the future of Muni Kids. I remember sitting in the pro shop with Max at Vet's bouncing back and forth ideas of what to call the brand and what direction it should go. It has been great to see the growth Muni Kids has taken since it's conception. I'm stoked to become a bigger presence of helping to grow the brand by building friendships and working with my fellow ambassadors.
What does being a muni kid mean to you?
To me, since day one, the most important aspect of being a Muni Kid is having fun on the golf course. I was in the midst of the end of my college golf career when the idea of Muni Kids first came about and was in a bit of golf purgatory. I knew it was the end of my run playing golf competitively and was searching for a way to love the game again as more of a casual player. Seeing the passion Max had about Muni Kids helped me get back to my roots of playing to have fun (and win cash games) as opposed to gearing up for tournaments on a weekly basis. Being a Muni Kid is all about building lifelong friendships on and off the golf course.
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