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Revelations

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Posted: Thursday August 12, 1999 01:18 PM

Click here to send a golf question to Alan Shipnuck.

CHICAGO -- Sorry, but no snappy intro. Mailbag straight, no chaser.

I'm all in favor of taking some time off ... but the week of the British Open you bail on us? My question is, what's going on with Fred Couples? He missed the cut at Pinehurst and then withdrew from the British? Who takes more time off, you or Freddy?
—Robert Eysaman, Fort Myers, Fla.

Freddy's dead. Or at least his career is. He simply doesn't care anymore. He'd rather hang out in Pacific Palisades with his new wife and her two adorable little kids. Couples has always had as much apathy as talent, which is why, all things considered, his record is so disappointing. I wish I had as much time off as this guy. I have to work at least 26 weeks a year. So far he's done exactly half that -- a whopping 13 tournaments.

What can you tell me about Tiger's girlfriend, Joanna Jagoda? I sometimes see a mention that she was at this tournament or that tournament, but never anything else. Why do writers (not you) bother to mention her then? I would like the skinny on her. I see every other wife or girlfriend on TV when their partner wins or is leading a tournament, except Jagoda. Does Tiger have an embargo on information on her in the media, and are golf writers and TV producers in on the conspiracy?
—Vinnie Blair, Edmonton, Alberta

I'm glad to see someone step up, as it's been far too long since our last decent girlfriend question. Regarding Jagoda, she is a discreet little minx. It's pretty obvious both she and Tiger have decided to make an effort to keep their private lives private ... but that's where I come in. Because she's still an undergrad at UC Santa Barbara, Jagoda only sporadically shows up at Tour events, which is part of her low profile. But when she's there she tries hard to stay out of the spotlight. Most Tour wives crowd around the 18th green scorer's tent, eager to hug their men the second they step off the green and, hopefully, get a few seconds of airtime in the process. Jagoda is not that way at all, as I've observed a few times. She'll wait in the clubhouse, in a family-only area, or even in the courtesy car in the parking lot. I like her discretion. I've never tried to spark a conversation with her, but those who have tell me that she will politely but firmly voice her unwillingness to be quoted. As for the more relevant details: great tan, nice smile, long legs, classic Santa Barbara honey.

What do you think about the influx of club manufacturers introducing golf balls? I personally cannot wait to try the Callaway ball(s) when they come out.
—Martin Wai, Carlsbad, Calif.

Considering Marty's e-mail address ends @callawaygolf.com, I'm shocked by his enthusiasm. Regarding all the new rocks about to hit the market, I'm rather ambivalent. If the competition brings prices down, that would be a good thing, but there are plenty of good pelotas already out there. Maybe one of these new stones will be a drastic improvement on what's out there now, but I doubt it. I am, however, looking forward to dozens of them arriving in the mail, gratis, so I can test them out.

Shot 72 (even par) one day in June, which prompted this question: If I played in every PGA event on the schedule (excluding the majors) and shot par in every round, would I make enough dough to finish in the magical top 125?
—Mark Poole, Dallas

Hello, Hooters tour.

Of all the non-winners on Tour, give me your short list of the guys who figure to break through to the winner's circle fastest. And Sergio Garcia doesn't count, baby. Oh, and while I have your ear, throw a prediction at me for Tom Watson's first 12 months on the senior circuit. Does he leave Hale Irwin and the boys in a cloud of dust or will he find short putts to be every bit as difficult in Viagraland?
—Ricky Cobb, Bowling Green, Ky.

Glad you asked about the non-winners. These are my people. I love these guys -- the grinders, the wannabes, the hacks. There are a bunch who I regularly seek out at tournaments to keep me up to speed on what's going on out on Tour. Since they don't have to worry about risking big endorsement deals they tend to dish a lot more, and getting one's ass kicked week in and week out leads to a pleasantly jaded world view. So, the non-winners most on the verge, in no particular order:

Jonathan Kaye: A birdie machine whose personality is as explosive as his game. All he needs to learn to do is mellow out.

Skip Kendall: He's a strong iron player and very scrappy.

Kirk Triplett: He's a big lug who hits it a long way and seems to hang around the leaderboard at a lot of tournaments. He'll get lucky one of these days.

Notah Begay: Long, and putts like God every now and then.

As for Watson, expect him to leave tread marks on the Senior tour. He won't win as much as Irwin has, because, frankly, I don't think he cares enough to play a heavy schedule. But every time he does tee it up he will be a threat. Your little jab at his putting is a bit dated. The last 18 months or so he has stopped choking like a dog, owing to a revelation about how to keep the putter on line while taking it back. Me, I'm still waiting for that revelation.

I'd love to stay and chat but I gotta work on my daily Medinah file. CNNSI.com is a voracious beast.

Send your golf questions to Alan Shipnuck.

 

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