Brehaut's Thursday gallery included golf legend

-Embarrassing to admit, but I failed to realize I was in the presence of a World Golf Hall of Famer for a while on Thursday. None other than Juli Inkster was walking with Brehaut for a few holes, cheering on him and his playing partners. Inkster has won 31 times on the LPGA Tour, including 7 major titles - her last being the 2002 U.S. Women's Open at Prairie Dunes, about an hour north of Wichita.

Brehaut said he has known Inkster since he was 17 years old, and he refers to her as his "big sis." The two play frequent practice rounds at home near San Francisco, where they are both members at Los Altos CC.

After taking some time off for elbow surgery, Inkster is returning to LPGA action next week in Arkansas. With the Los Altos CC member-guest tournament being held this week, Inkster decided to travel with Brehaut and spend time practicing at Flint Hills National near Wichita. The two (along with Jeff Gove) are staying together at a friend's house in town.

"We play and practice together all the time," Brehaut said. "Instead of going all the way home and having nowhere to really practice, she decided to come here."

Inkster decided to take time off from practicing on Thursday, when she followed Brehaut for most of the front nine and onto the back. Friday morning, Inkster was nowhere to be found.

It's funny to think how I chatted with Inkster for a while, not realizing who she was even though I've watched her play many times on TV. I even remember rooting for her a few times, too.

When I first approached her, I assumed she was Brehaut's wife, which I figured was a reasonable assumption. I even asked her if they were married, and she laughed it off, saying she was just a friend from home. Pretty famous friend, I would say.

We talked a while about the state of Brehaut's game, and about how he is the embodiment of a veteran grinder in professional golf. I even told her about this blog, and she seemed fairly interested, asking me a few questions.

I certainly would not have thought she was anybody famous, by the way she acted toward me. And by not revealing her identity, I assume she preferred anonymity this week, which she surely lacks in the world of golf.

I now remember a scene that confused me Thursday, when Inkster congratulated Bryan DeCorso (playing in the group in front of Brehaut) after a nice putt. After Inkster walked away, DeCorso looked at his caddy in confusion, whispering something.

I was confused too, but now I understand. DeCorso was simply wondering what Inkster could possibly be doing at a Nationwide Tour event in the middle of Kansas.

Watching Jeff Brehaut, of course.

So Brehaut's gallery Thursday - smack-dab in the middle of America - consisted of two people: a World Golf Hall of Famer from California, and a college sportswriter from Buffalo.

You know, just your average Kansas crowd.