When ESPN Radio host Jason Page left the urban jungle of New York City for the rolling hills of Connecticut, the first thing he did was decide to dive back in to the game of golf. After a 4-year hiatus because the game was not readily available in Manhattan, Page purchased a new set of clubs and is determined to get out two to 3 times a week.

Page, the host of “The Back Page,:” a sports call-in show on ESPN Radio 1410, says his show is in the “only market in America that resides right in the middle of Boston and New York. That way we can talk about the Red Sox AND the Yankees and the Patriots AND the Giants.” The show, heard weekdays from 3p to 7p, gives Page the chance to talk to sports fans around New England. “We let out callers offer their opinions. Unlike the big sports radio stations, we listen to their opinion…I don’t shout them down. I allow their comments to breathe on the air.”

We sat down with Page to talk about his renewed interest in golf.

Name: Jason Page
Age: 30
Hometown: East Haven, CT
Handicap: 20

How long have you played golf?
I’ve played since high school. I still remember my first round. I was about 10 years old and I played at Sleeping Giant in Hamden, CT.

Favorite CT Course: TPC River Highlands
Favorite New England Course: Richter Park…it’s really challenging.
Best 19th Hole: Rookies in Cromwell:
Favorite Beverage: Apple Martini
Best Restaurant: Feng in Hartford. I could eat sushi 7 days a week.

Best Golf Memory: I was playing at River Highlands and I hit a wayward drive into the next fairway. When I reached my ball, former major league baseball player and ESPN analyst John Kruk was standing there. I had almost hit him! He just looked at me and said, “Fairways and greens, my friend.”

Favorite Golfer: Tiger, Tiger and Tiger.

New Englanders You Would Like to Round Out Your Foursome:  Chris Berman, Brian Leetch, Jerry Kelly

Dream Foursome:  Me, Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Bill Murray

Is Golf a Sport?  Absolutely is.
Why Golf? : Because I can do it alone. I like being challenged I’m not a great player but I love the challenge the game gives me to make myself better.

Describe your game: I can hit a 260-yard to 300-yard drive, but my iron play needs work. It’s my biggest weakness. But now that I’m back in Connecticut, I want to play two to three times a week. I played in high school and found it hard to give up when I was in New York, but it’s just so tough to play there. I can’t wait to get out to courses like Rockledge in West Hartford, CT and Oxford Greens in Oxford, CT and many of the other courses New England has to offer. I haven’t played in Massachusetts, but I’m looking forward to playing The Ranch in Southwick, MA.

Equipment: I just spent a lot of money on new clubs. I have a Nike Sasquatch driver, Nike Ignite irons and a Ping putter.

Upcoming Golf Trip: I’m friends with Jacques Cesaire, who plays for the San Diego Chargers. He played football at Southern Connecticut State University. After the U.S. Open, I’m going to visit him and we planning on playing Torrey Pines. I can’t wait for that challenge.

What Do You Do When You Can’t Play? : I love watching golf on TV. There may big a big baseball game on , but I’ll probably be watching golf. I think you have to play the game to really appreciate what the PGA TOUR pros are doing. When they stand over a 6-foot putt, it’s not problem. When I stand over one, it’s a whole different story.

Jason Page will be hosting his ESPN radio show during the Travelers Championship this summer. Catch him all weekend at River Highlands.