He Prefers a 9 Iron Away From Gridiron

Steve Beuerlein’s career as a professional quarterback has given him many moments of angst.

Life is good now. Beuerlein is satisfied with his role as Kerry Collins’ backup with the Carolina Panthers, but let’s not delve too deeply into the well-documented horror stories he lived through under Buddy Ryan with the Arizona Cardinals and Al Davis with the Raiders.

During those dark days, at least Beuerlein had golf. It was a sport he fell in love with growing up in Fullerton, but he never had time to play much as a three-sport star at Servite or a four-year starter at Norte Dame.

“One of the best things about being a pro athlete is the off-season,” Beuerlein said. “You don’t have classes to go to. You don’t have nearly the demands on your time, so you can do what you want to do.”

During all that spare time, Beuerlein became quite proficient at golf. He got down to a five handicap with his self-taught swing. The handicap is at six, but Beuerlein says he plays much worse.

“I’m a pretty weak six actually,” he said. “I just base it on when I play to a six handicap, I get the nickname ATM. They call me the ATM because I’m kicking out cash to everybody in my foursome.”

Such humility will be on display Wednesday at Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club, where Beuerlein will be among many current and former NFL players at the Pace NFL Players Super Shoot-Out.

Beuerlein has played the event, run in conjunction with Super Bowl festivities, several times and welcomes the chance to return to his home county. He is spending the weekend at his parents’ house in Fullerton before turning his attention to golf.

The charity event is a nice diversion for Beuerlein, who like all Carolina Panthers and their fans, is awaiting the team’s decision about Collins’ contract.

To keep the six-year, $21.6 million deal intact for its final three years, the Panthers must pay Collins a $6 million bonus. The decision must be made before the Super Bowl.

Beuerlein, Collins’ backup the last two seasons, is again left watching from the sidelines.

“I’ve learned over the years you just take things as they come,” Beuerlein said. “You can’t get too stressed out over things you can’t control. Obviously, I have no control over this.”

But he does have an interest. Beuerlein has been an effective backup, a role he agreed to when he signed with Carolina in 1996 as a free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He was 3-1 as a starter in 1996, helping the Panthers make the playoffs, then a berth in the conference championship game. In 1997, he started the first two games--going 1-1--after Collins’ jaw was broken in an exhibition game.

When Collins struggled midway through the season, Beuerlein was given a start against Minnesota. He passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a 21-14 loss--and strained a knee ligament.

When Collins regained his starting job, Beuerlein wasn’t complaining.

“I love playing here,” he said by phone from Charlotte. “Carolina is a great organization. They’ve been very good to me. I still love the game and I still think I can be a starter, but my role here is as a backup and I’ve always been able to accept my role.

“I take a lot of pride in that.”

Beuerlein, who has played for five teams in his 11-year career, hopes to play another three to five years in the NFL. And after that? Did someone mention the Senior PGA Tour? Former San Francisco 49er quarterback John Brodie has given it a shot, with mixed results.

“I’d like to think one day I’ll be good enough to do that,” said Beuerlein, 32, “but that’s a long way off.”

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NFL Golf Tournament

* What: 1998 Pace NFL Players Super Shoot-Out, a pro-am tournament, with related activities, featuring up to 72 fivesomes.

* Where: Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club.

* When: 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21.

* Who: At least one player from every NFL team except Green Bay and Denver and retired players. Among those who have confirmed: Franco Harris, Joe Theismann, Gene Upshaw, Kellen Winslow, Marcus Allen, Jerome Bettis, Jeff Blake, Tim Brown, Keith Byars, Cris Carter, Ki-Jana Carter, Ty Detmer, Marshall Faulk, Irving Fryar, Eddie George, Garrison Hearst, Chester McGlockton, Herman Moore, Rodney Peete, Derrick Thomas, Herschel Walker and Rod Woodson.

* Benefits: Orangewood Children’s Foundation, which shelters abandoned, abused and neglected children.

* Tickets: $10 through Ticketmaster (714) 740-2000 or at the South Gate of Coto de Caza on tournament day.