Mike Cowan

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Michael Thomas "Fluff" Cowan (born 1948) is a professional golf caddy on the PGA Tour. He is a 37-year tour veteran and one of its best-known caddies. Cowan has caddied for Ed Sabo (1976–78), Peter Jacobsen (1978–96), Tiger Woods (1996–99), and Jim Furyk (1999–present). In 2003, he caddied for then 13-year old amateur ladies golfing sensation Michelle Wie for one tournament while Furyk was off due to injury. The 2012 Ryder Cup (partnered with Furyk) marked the 11th time he has caddied in that tournament, at which he had also worked for Jacobsen, Fred Couples, and Woods.[1] Cowan earned his nickname "Fluff" from his resemblance to professional golfer Steve Melnyk, who was also nicknamed "Fluff."[2]

Cowan watching Jim Furyk practice putting at the Congressional Country Club in 2007.

Cowan was born in Winslow, Maine. Although having worked with Peter Jacobsen for 18 over years, Cowan's public profile reached its peak while partnered with emerging superstar Tiger Woods as his first PGA Tour caddy. Their first tournament together was at Woods' professional debut at the Greater Milwaukee Open in September 1996. Cowan was also with Woods for his first career major victory at the 1997 Masters Tournament, which would be their only major victory working together.

Following the Nissan Open in February 1999, Cowan was released by Woods for undisclosed reasons, and was replaced with Steve Williams of New Zealand.[3] However, according to the Washington Post, Cowan was fired by Woods because he revealed publicly in a 1999 Golf Magazine interview his salary ($1,000 a week and bonuses up to 10 percent of Woods's winnings). In spite of his dismissal by Woods, they remain friends.[4] Cowan was hired soon after his firing by Furyk, who had just dismissed his previous caddy; their first tournament working together was the 1999 Masters, and Cowan was Furyk's caddy for his major tournament win at the 2003 U.S. Open.

Cowan attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is an avowed "Deadhead" (ardent fan of the American rock and roll band The Grateful Dead), and is a member of Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland where he resides with his wife, Jennifer, and their child, Bobbie.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Ferguson, Doug (June 26, 2012). "Love tries to extend his streak at Disney - Golf - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012. 
  2. ↑ Shapiro, Leonard (July 5, 2007). "His Own Back Yard". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2013. 
  3. ↑ Hawkins, John (June 20, 2003). "Jim Dandy". Golf Digest. Retrieved June 17, 2007. 
  4. ↑ Ames, Peter (March 29, 1999). "Bagging It". People. Retrieved November 12, 2012. 
  5. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/03/AR2007070301949.html

External links

Current caddies of leading professional golfers
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