Alex Newhook gave an interview to Golf Newfoundland Labrador in readiness for the inaugural Alex Newhook & Friends Charity Golf Classic and revealed some interesting information in the process.

It seems like pretty much every NHLer plays golf during the off-season and it goes for Montreal Canadiens players as well. Yesterday, Alex Newhook hit the links for the inaugural Alex Newhook & Friends Charity Golf Classic, taking the time beforehand to talk golf and other topics with Golf Newfoundland Labrador, revealing a bit more about himself.

I was surprised to learn Newhook is a national band champion having won the nationals with St. Andrew’s College, playing the trombone in grade 10. All due respect to trombone players, but it’s not really the instrument you’d expect an NHLer to play.

Golfing has always been a family affair for the Newhooks. The Canadiens forward started playing around the age of 10 and often plays with his dad. He even witnessed him hitting a hole in one, a feat that has eluded number 15 so far. In his youth he did attend some golf camps, but he didn’t play all that much until turning 15 or 16.

To relax, Newhook enjoys reading, spending time by the water and listening to music. While he would like to be able to relax while golfing, it’s unfortunately not how it always works out.

Clearly, he won’t become a professional golfer once his hockey career is over. He has never had a hole in one and his best score is 77 on the local course at the Bally Haly Country Club. His advice to young golfers would be to just enjoy it, not take it too seriously. He believes that if you have fun with it, you’ll feel like playing more often and you’ll get better that way.

While Newhook’s charitable endeavors on the golf course are commendable, I know a lot of Habs fans are looking forward to seeing him on the rink rather than on the golf course but hang in there, it will be October again soon enough.