Calc nearing big 5-0

DUBLIN, Ohio – Mark Calcavecchia, professional golfer for nearly 30 years and wisecracker for almost 50, is not the sentimental type.

As he approaches the end of his days as a full-time member of the PGA Tour – this week’s Memorial Tournament will be the last time he tees it up this year before joining the Champions Tour in earnest – it’s enough to make him grow wistful.

“I should have kept myself in better shape, which is still the case. I should have won more tournaments. I should have practiced harder – a lot of should haves,” he said Tuesday, when asked whether he had any regrets. “On the other hand, I had a great time. I’m incredibly lucky. I stop to think about all the things that I’ve been blessed with, and I just had a blast.”

Calc – what everyone calls him – won a lot of fans.

“He’s fun,” Jim Furyk said. “Obviously, he’s got a sarcastic side to him. He’s really well liked out here.”

Calc, who turns 50 June 12, will make his debut at the Champions stop in Endicott, N.Y., this month.

“It’s a great change of pace,” he said. “New courses, new towns, new holes to screw up. I’m tired of screwing up the same holes every year.”

The Memorial will be his 737th PGA Tour event. He’s won 13 times and made 516 cuts while cashing almost $24 million in checks.