Eight years ago, he made it back to the U.S. Open, shooting a 68 to trail Tiger Woods by just three strokes. But ensuing rounds of 77, 76 and 77 left him far back.

He had previously entered a qualifying tourney but only earned fourth-alternate status. At the sectional, he arrived to find the driving range packed. Unsure he'd even get to play, he took a club into the nearby woods and began hitting pine cones.

After a representative told him he had made the field, Clampett went on to qualify for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Walk with me.

Now he's building toward the Champions Tour. He has played in two Nationwide events this year, finishing 39th at the Prince Cutter Charity Championship in July. He shot under par in four consecutive rounds.

"I showed a lot of rust, but I showed some signs," he said this week. "Hopefully, we'll come here and kind of pick it up from where we were."

He finished Thursday's first round at Willow Creek with an encouraging 5-under 66.

Same as the old Bobby Clampett, he makes no bones about his ambitions.

"You want to play, always," said Clampett. "Once a player, always a player."

His musings were interrupted when native Utah golfer Jay Don Blake greeted him.

"Hello, Jay Don!" called Clampett. He paused a beat. "You gotta be really close to 50."

"October," said Blake.

"Next month?" teased Clampett. "Oh, so you've got a good month, at least five weeks. Aw, you're a long ways away."

Blake smiled agreeably.

"How close are you?" Blake said.

"Almost 20 months."

Another friend dropped by to offer greetings.

"Nice 'do," said Clampett, looking at the shaved head. "When did that happen?"

Clearly, Clampett was loving it. The camaraderie. The anticipation. He seemed excited, distracted, busy, friendly, confident.

Ready to swing from the forest, his knees, whatever was necessary.

"Playing golf is my first love," he said. "Always has been. I love broadcasting, it's a great career, but it's in my blood to play and to have an opportunity like the Champions Tour, or whatever tour it is, that's where I've got my focus right now."

I left the range wondering if he'll finally accomplish on the Champions circuit what he didn't before. Whether after all these years, he'll play up to his gift.

For some reason, I found myself imagining he will.

Walk with me.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com