EAST PROVIDENCE - In golf-crazed Rhode Island it's no surprise that Joe Sprague Jr., the executive director of the R.I. Golf Association, is a busy man.

The RIGA, an organization led for so many years previously by his late father, Joe Sprague Sr., conducts numerous tournaments throughout the golf season and is the caretaker of the game locally.

Recently, Sprague, 43 and a Bristol resident, took time out to talk for a few moments during the RIGA Stroke Play Championship, one of the organization's major events, held at Metacomet Country Club in East Providence.

East Bay Newspapers: The who, what, when, where of Joe Sprague?

Joe Sprague: I'm 43-years-old. This is my 14th golf season with RIGA, started in 1992. Before that I caddied on PGA Tour for a couple years. My highest finish is a T-7 in 1989 with Jeff Sluman in Greater Milwaukee Open. I also caddied for Billy Andrade and Pat Horgan. It was a good experience.

EBN: Where did you grow up?

JS: I grew up in Rumford, went to Providence College, went to East Providence High before that, Class of 1980, moved to Philly for seven years. I moved to back to Rhode Island in 1992 and started working for my dad. And here I am.

EBN: Were you a member at a club? How were you introduced to the game?

JS: Growing up, my dad was a member at Wannamoisett, so I was fortunate enough to be able to play there. But my dad always impressed upon me that I was a caddy first. I didn't always understand why, but looking back I'm glad I learned the game from the ground up.

EBN: Family?

JS: Yes, married to my wife, Linda, and have a daughter, Sara, who's seven-years-old and will be starting second grade this fall.

EBN: Importance of carrying on your father's legacy and that of the RIGA?

JS: I certainly don't take it lightly. It's something that started out supposedly being a part-time thing, but now has become my career and vocation. I was fortunate enough to succeed my. And now especially with my dad gone, my sense of responsibility is to carrying on some of the things he started and the traditions of the game.

EBN: Are there ideals you learned from your father that you try to work by?

JS: Certainly hard work, he always said it doesn't matter how many hours it takes as long as the job is done correctly. Doing the right thing, doing what is fair, I think those are the most important things he taught me.

EBN: What's the best and worst parts of your job?

JS: The best part of the job is being around the game of golf. That's something I love anyhow and the fact that it's my job makes going to work very enjoyable. Worst part, I don't think there's a worst part. I would say the most challenging part is securing our schedule every year. I know there's demands on courses and the RIGA is just one of many groups asking for the use of them.

EBN: Do you get to play as much golf as people might assume you do?

JS: That's a misnomer. The time it takes to do my job, I don't get to play as much as I would like. My handicap now is about an eight. It's never really been that low. I think the lowest it's been is a six. Probably the last 15 years, I've averaged about 10 rounds a year. So, I'm hoping to improve on that down the line.

EBN: What's the state of the game in Rhode Island?

JS: I think overall the state of the game in Rhode Island is very strong. Rounds played nationally are a little off. Participation in our event has never been stronger. I know some of the public courses are finding things a bit hard now, but I think that's a reflection of the national picture. There's been a bit of a leveling out since the 'Tiger Boom' in the mid-1990s.

EBN: Button Hole must be something you're proud of?

JS: Button Hole is something I'm proud of. It was started by Ed Morrow, a past president of the RIGA and past State Amateur champion. It's his baby. If there was no Ed Morrow there would be no Button Hole. It's certainly done a lot of good. It's allowed kids who would have access to the game a chance to play.

EBN:Your family already has a legacy with the RIGA. What would you like to add to the legacy?

JS: My dad established a lot of positives and improvements to the RIGA, and hopefully I haven't done anything to tarnish that. I think I've done OK. And I think I added a few wrinkles, myself, in the positive column. If I really had to think about it in those terms, it might be too much pressure. I just try to do my job the best I can. Bob Ward, who works with me, does an outstanding job. And our board is very supportive of me.

BY MIKE REGO

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com