Scott Simpson is one of the nicest professional golfers I've met.

Years ago, while working on a lengthy article for PGA Tour Partners magazine on players' faith, Simpson, among other golfers, talked freely about his misgivings about Christianity and then how he became involved in the PGA Tour's Bible study meetings and his subsequent discovery of faith.

I interviewed Simpson again about a week ago for the cover story of the Monterey County Herald's pre-tournament tabloid section of the Wal-Mart First Tee Open. Simpson returned my phone calls twice and we spoke a few times during fourth annual event at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course.

Simpson was the defending titlist of the event, but he's not had particularly good season. Still, his top-five finish at this year's event pushed him closer toward his g
oal of finishing among the top-30 money leaders and a qualifying spot at the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup in Sonoma, California, at the end of September.

Just after he finshed the final round, Simpson and I had the following conversation just off the green at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach.

Simpson: "I love playing in Northern California, so anytime I can it's great."

Me: "Well, if you go to Sonoma, that's where some of best wines . . . oh, I'm sorry, Scott. You probably don't drink wine."

Simpson: "What do you, mean (chuckling?). What was Christ's first miracle?"

Now with the both of us laughing (with me turning the shade of the wine Simpson was discussing) we shook hands again, I thanked him for his time and we parted company.