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Andrew Zarzour turned 23 years old on Dec. 29, 2003. As has been his custom since becoming a pro ball player, the big fella spent that holiday week at his home in Bunn, NC, catching with friends and family, and just generally relaxing.
With unseasonably warm temperatures settling into the Carolinas the day after his birthday, Andrew decided there was nothing better he'd like to do than to play golf. So he treated his two best friends — Robbie Maine and Brandon Weaver — and his dad to a round at the Wake Forest Country Club.
It's a beautiful course, best known for its mammoth first hole, a par five that measures more than 700 yards. The back end of the hole is sharply uphill, so the average golfer could hit driver, three wood, three wood and still be short of the green (author's note: yours truly has suffered that fate).
Zarzour and his friends were especially enamored with the new golf carts the club had started using. Each one had a GPS device and miniature computer monitor installed on it, giving golfers the exact distance from the cart to the hole, as well as advisories on where every hazard was located. The coolest feature on the cart prompted golfers, as they pulled up to the ninth and 18th tees, to order food and drinks — which would be ready by the time they got to the clubhouse. Of course, the guys loaded up on sandwiches, fries and cold beverages as they prepared to make the turn.
Zarzour had become a decent golfer over the past few years, and his goal on this day was to break 80. Even though he carded a seven on that beastly opening hole, he was within reach of the magical mark as he drove up to the 18th tee. He just needed a birdie and a beautiful 79 would be his.
After beaming another food and drink order to the clubhouse, Zarzour got out of the cart to size up possible tee shots. His concentration, though, was interrupted by a buzzing cell phone in his pocket.
"It's probably mom," Andrew said to his dad with a laugh. "She's probably wondering why we're taking so long."
But when Andrew flipped open his phone, he didn't recognize the number on the caller ID. Or the area code.
Reluctantly, he answered.
"Hello?"
“Hello there. Is this Andrew Zarzour speaking?" said a very confident but unfamiliar voice on the other end.
“Um, yes it is. Can I help you with something?”
"Hi, my name is Todd Zolecki, and I am with the Philadelphia Daily News. I just wanted to get your reaction to today's trade, the one bringing you to the Phillies and sending Andruw Jones to LA ... Is it true that the Phillies were your favorite childhood team?" ...
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