Katherine Roberts: Whadja Pack?

by Bill Giering

Like every guy who is addicted to The Golf Channel, I was looking forward to watching “The Big Break.”

An interesting concept I thought; I just knew the show would take off. At least that’s what I told my wife. Actually, I have a “thing” for Katherine Roberts who hosted the show with Rick Smith up in Michigan. I even bought her DVD series “Yoga for Golfers” and have been stretching and breathing with her most mornings.

Katherine and I are an item — except she doesn’t know it. Roberts is the The Golf Channel’s fitness expert. She is also an author and has her own line of golf fitness equipment. More importantly she has a great sense of humor and plays a good game of golf, maybe shooting to a 16 handicap. She can rip it ... and usually find it. Like most of us, she loses a few strokes around the green with her short game. So it was a fantasy come true to meet and ask Katherine Roberts my favorite question: “Whadja Pack?”

Katherine, if you were going on a fiveday golf vacation expecting days in the 70s, nights in the 50s and one night was a fancy evening ... What would you pack?

Oh, please… I just told my husband I need professional advice on efficient packing, I really need a packing expert. I am such a defensive packer, I bring way too much. I’m pretty solid in other parts of my life with time management and organizational skills, but when it comes to packing … I’m a 40-handicapper at best. I usually bring two workout outfits for each day, so that’s 10 outfits. The Nike collection is fun this year and great to travel with. I always bring my own yoga mat, and power swing trainer — that’s a must if I’m playing golf. With yoga and workout clothes, I have always felt that sensibility has to override fashion. For golf, I like slacks or capris. I only buy outfits, never individual pieces. So I would bring six golf outfits, just in case. I stay with the Nike golf line, but I mix it up with matching jackets and sweaters for each day. Golf shoes have advanced so much in both function and style in the last few years that I bring a pair for each day to match my outfit … so that’s five pairs of golf shoes. My mom, my whole family does this ... we bring food — almonds and other nuts — and I always bring fruit and small healthy snacks. I carry Penta water, Molton Brown 24-hour moisture mist and Emergen C. I never like to dehydrate; I try to stay ahead of that. Sometimes I have boxes of my favorite liquids sent ahead to the resorts.

At night?

On active golf trips, I like to dress more sensual for the evenings: jewelry, softer fabrics, flowing feminine pieces. I also bring way too many dress shoes and handbags. I love the Cole Haan bags and accessories. What do you wear on the plane? The plane is work time for me. I’m either writing on my laptop for my columns or reading golf magazines — I’ll bring three or four of those. My carry-on is full of electronics, and I always carry my favorite book, Sanctuary of the Soul. It’s a collection of meditations that comfort me as much as the almonds. I also bring a picture of my husband and my dogs. I dress in layers — usually yoga slacks, a simple top and soft sweater, comfortable shoes.

When you hosted The Big Break with Rick Smith, it seemed like it was cold and rained every day.

You wouldn’t believe how horrible and cold the weather got. You know, maybe I don’t pack so badly. FG