Bubba Watson: From ‘Golf Boy’ to Masters Man

Madeline Gordon is one of those special junior golfers who truly loves golf. She is also one of the top 14-year old girl golfers in Louisiana. She also likes to write. She went to the TPC of Louisiana last month to write a story about and take a photo with Bubba Watson. The photo was taken during Zurich Classic media day. She asked Bubba if she could take one more photo so she could fix up her hair; as soon as they got together for the photograph, Bubba messed it up. Madeline nailed her story though:

Professional golfer Bubba Watson sauntered through the pro shop at TPC Louisiana in a tee-shirt, jeans, and his hat backwards – definitely not the stereotypical golf image.

During the general media questioning, Bubba answered questions in a relaxed manner, showing his sense of humor throughout. He approached the interview with a unique style just like the way he approaches the game of golf. This is very commonly known as “Bubba Golf.”  

Behind the jeans and backwards hat, Bubba is extremely competitive and committed. You can probably remember just how focused he was when he went on to beat Webb Simpson in a two-hole playoff at the 2011 Zurich Classic. That win was his third on the PGA Tour.  

Although I prepared questions relating to junior golf at that time (back in March), I was amazed to hear Bubba answering similar questions on television after winning the 2012 Masters just a couple of weeks later. In addition to the excitement from winning his first major, Bubba and his wife Angie recently adopted a baby boy named Caleb.    

When Bubba reminisced about his most memorable junior golf experience, he told me about a sweet early victory that still means a lot to him.

“When I was growing up at eight years old there was a Drive, Chip, and Putt tournament. I’m not sure they still have it. If you won in your local area, you got to go to Disney World and compete there,” Watson recalled. “So for a kid that was eight-years-old, going to Disney World after winning the tournament was a pretty big deal for me.”  

When I asked how old he was when he knew he had what it takes to play on the PGA Tour, Watson explained an early confidence is his own talents. “Man, I’d have to say I knew at a young age I was pretty good. I shot 62 when I was twelve. So it kind of helped out a little bit.”  

Of course, he knew he couldn’t do it alone, and when I asked if he had a mentor, he responded without hesitation, “My dad taught me the basic swing. He taught me the basics about golf and I learned it on my own. My dad was the person who got me involved in golf and kept me going.” Watson makes it obvious that parents are critical in their children’s successes.  

Junior golfers like myself are always hungry to get tips from professionals. As much as we’d all like to play the circuit, we can benefit from Bubba’s advice about education.  

“The first advice is go to school, because golf is not easy. Not everybody can make it in pro golf, not everybody can make it at a high level. If you have the ability to make it at a high level, you need to have lots of practice and be very dedicated in what you are doing. You can’t take time off to do the wrong things in life, I’d guess you’d say. You need to practice and keep going and know it’s all about practice, hard work, and dedication.”  

Bubba and his friends, The Golf Boys, want to give back to the community, so the proceeds from their video “Oh, Oh, Oh,” which s a fan favorite, will go to charity. I am hoping that the Golf Boys make another video, so I asked if this was a possibility. Bubba said, “It is hard to get all four of us back together Yes we want to do some more [videos], and we plan on it.”  

As a junior golfer, I really am grateful that I had the opportunity to interview Bubba Watson. At the time of the interview, he had not yet won at Augusta. As I watched the Masters, I cheered for him throughout the tournament. I was ecstatic to see him make the playoff, after coming back a few strokes behind the leader. Watching him win the playoff was extremely exciting.  

Bubba’s advice rings true.  I will enjoy watching him at the 2012 Zurich Classic.