KENNY G HITS RIGHT NOTES ON COURSE.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

GOLF

At first glance, Kenny G's golf resume might look like that of any pro golfer.

He's played with Phil Mickelson and won a tournament. He's teed it up with Tiger Woods four or fivetimes and emerged without a shattered psyche.

Often, the famous saxophonist is a fan favorite and is always popular with autograph-seekers.

Had Kenny G -- whose given name is Kenny Gorelick -- devoted his life to golf, it's possible he could be a regular on tour. But for now, he is content playing in a couple of celebrity tournaments and earning exemptions here or there in Nationwide Tour events.

"I think if anybody devoted 25-30years of their life to it, they could be good," he said via cellphone during his practice round at the Mark Christopher Charity Classic in Rancho Cucamonga. "Every amateur dreams and wishes they could be out here. I love what I'm doing, and I wouldn't trade music for golf.

"I always tell these guys, it's not like I have 180 guys trying to steal my job every week."

Kenny G played in a practice round with pros Skip Kendall and Paul Claxton on Tuesday, but he sounded more like a fan.

"These guys hit unbelievable shots," he said. "Those guys are really good."

Kenny G isn't bad, either. While playing with Kendall -- a good friend of his -- and Claxton, he talked about the state of his golf game and music career between shots. He is a scratch golfer, but like most good players, he downgrades his golf game.

"I try to keep up with these guys," he said. "I know I always try to swing too hard when I'm around them, and it's a learning experience. You see them hit it so far, and you think you can do that, too. But, that's what a practice round is for. I'll settle down and get comfortable."

Last year, he was named the No.1 golfer in the entertainment industry by Golf Digest Magazine. He teamed with Mickelson, and together they tied Tiger Woods and Jerry Chang for the victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Kenny G used to own a plus-.6 handicap, but he's played only four or five rounds this year. He has used 2007 to focus on music and will release an album -- "Rhythm and Romance" -- on Valentine's Day next year. It's his first Latin album.

"I'm super excited," said Kenny G, who's sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. "When I made my first Christmas record, I made it because I couldn't find a Christmas record I liked. It's the same thing with the Latin record. There were a lot that I liked but not a lot I could put on and get into a certain vibe.

"This is very romantic and very rhythmical. It has a lot more tempo than most records I've done."

The tempo of his golf swing isn't Kenny G's only thing this week. He was scheduled to play a charity concert Tuesday night as part of the week's golf activities.

"I'm totally flattered they think I can add some value to the tournament," he said. "My music performance raises money for charity, and I'm good enough (golfer) to not embarrass them by using a sponsor's exemption."

Playing in front of swooning fans is nice, but Kenny G really gets a kick out of playing in front of galleries, too. He has played so much golf -- and is on TV often enough playing in celebrity events -- that some people know him more as a golfer, than a musician.

"I like that, because I love golf and I respect the game so much," he said.

He's a member of Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, where he's played with Woods many times. He also plays in the Target World Challenge pro-am. And since members recently purchased the club from owner David Murdock, he's now part-owner.

Most people dream of playing with Woods just once, but Kenny G has lived that dream many times.

"He asks me questions about the saxophone, and I drain him for every ounce of golf knowledge," Kenny G said of Woods. "At the end of the round, he can't wait to get rid of me."

Kenny G played golf for the Franklin High boys' team in Seattle, where he grew up, and never lost his love for the game. That's why he has his two sons -- Max and Noah -- who take lessons every Friday.

He's shot a 68 at Sherwood several times, but his 67 at Riviera Country Club is his proudest golf accomplishment.

When Kenny G played in the Mark Christopher Charity Classic two years ago, he missed the cut with two rounds in the 80s. He still recalls his 37-putt round, which didn't sit too well with him.

"I couldn't understand the fast greens," he said. "I've learned a bit since then. I get it now."

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Musician Kenny G has teed it up with some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Paul Lester/Special to the Daily News

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