18 Holes With: The Fun Golfer interview with NHL Superstar BRIAN PROPP
BRIAN PROPP is one of hockey’s most respected and consistent performers from the 1980s and early 1990s. He is a player whose name remains synonymous with skill, leadership, and perseverance. Born in Lanigan, Saskatchewan, Propp rose through the ranks with his smooth skating, lethal wrist shot, and a natural ability to read the game. Drafted 14th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1979, he quickly became a cornerstone of the franchise, recording an impressive five 40-goal seasons and helping lead the Flyers to multiple Stanley Cup Finals appearances. Over his 15-season NHL career, Propp played in more than 1,000 games, scoring 425 goals and adding 579 assists for a total of 1,004 points, placing him among the top left wings of his era. He has also represented Canada internationally, including the 1987 Canada Cup, and later brought his veteran leadership to teams like the Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars, where he reached yet another Stanley Cup Final. Beyond the rink, Propp’s enduring positivity, especially following his remarkable recovery from a stroke in 2015, has made him a true inspiration both in sports and in life. His legacy continues to bridge the worlds of hockey, community work, and his growing passion for golf. I had the chance recently to talk golf with the legend himself...BRIAN PROPP.
18 HOLES WITH…NHL SUPERSTAR BRIAN PROPP
Thank you Brian. As a fellow Saskatchewan hockey player, I grew up as a big fan of yours, so I appreciate you taking the time to talk golf with me. Let’s go right back to the beginning! When and how did you get involved in golf?
I tried golf when I was 7 years old in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, a town of 300 people. It was a 9 hole course with sand greens and I had a 3, 5, 7 and 9 iron, a driver, a 3 wood and a putter.
2. You obviously spent a lot of time on the road as a hockey player, did you take your clubs with you on road games? And did you get time to actually play a round?
I never took my clubs with me when I played. One time I played the LA Country Club during the season in LA with a friend, but I rented clubs.
3. Hockey players can be a bit superstitious; do you have any golf superstitions? Like do you mark your golf ball the same way or have a special ball marker that you use?
I always use my Guffaw golf poker chip as a ball marker and I always put the initials BP and the #26 on my golf balls.
4. You play in some charity events, like the WCRE Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament that you are very involved in – what do you do with them and how much fun is the tournament?
WCRE is a fun event and we are lucky to have some great sponsors get involved with it. I help with these sponsorships. We have lots of fun with things like a putting contest, longest drive, closest to the pin and all for a great cause.
5. You have played hockey with and against some of the greatest of all times – Gretzky, Lemieux, Hextall and Clarke – who is the best non pro golfer you have ever played a round with?
Mario Lemieux, Grant Fuhr, Gary Dornhoefer and Dan Quinn.
6. Finish this sentence for me…One thing I especially love about golf is…?
Having fun and making (the tournament) fun for charity golfers.
7. Now the flipside…the most frustrating thing about golf is…?
Not putting well.
8. Good answer, I can definitely relate to that one. One is a bit of a team sport and one is an individual sport, but do you find any similarities between playing hockey and golf?
Yes, the swing is the same and using your hips to transfer weight for driving.
9. This question gets asked a lot, but it’s a fun question – what three people, anyone you want, would form your dream foursome?
Dustin Johnson, Wayne Gretzky and President Trump.
Half way done already. Now we make the turn, eat a snack of your choice, restock the bevvies and hit the:
BACK 9 - PAR 3 - RAPID FIRE ROUND:
10. Your favorite city to play golf in? ........Montreal
11. What is the closest you have come to a hole-in-one ........2"
12. Favorite mid round or at the turn go-to-snack?........A Banana
13. Do you allow gimmies on the course, or make your friends putt it out?........I Allow Gimmies
14. Pick one golf super power – Your ball never goes in the sand, your ball never goes in the water, or your ball never goes in the rough? ........Ball never goes in the (sand) bunker
15. Early morning, mid-day or twilight golf? ........Early Morning
16. Golf cart driver, golf cart passenger or golf course walker? ........Golf Cart Driver
17. Is golf peaceful or maddening? ........Peaceful
18. You have one round left before you can’t play anymore…where do you tee it up? ......…the Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey
This has been an awesome pleasure to chat golf with you Brian, I appreciate you taking the time.
Parts of this interview have been condensed and edited for space and clarity