Go Back

Print this story

Letter to the editor

Discuss

Buy Daily Star photo reprints

Down to earth: Former Wildcat Jason Gore has not let success go to his head. His upbeat persona is one of the reasons he is a fan-favorite on tour.

The Associated Press 2006

Ex-Cat Gore back on course

Golf

Easygoing Gore enjoying life

Schedule of events

By Charles Durrenberger

Arizona Daily Star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.19.2006

Not much seems to fluster happy-go-lucky Jason Gore — on or off the golf course.

En route to last summer's U.S. Open in Pinehurst, N.C., thieves broke into the journeyman's car, ripping out his stereo and taking everything that was not tied down, including his BVDs.

The two-stage qualifier then went out and led the tournament after two rounds.

Then came the former Wildcat's Sunday pairing with Retief Goosen and a final-round 84 that dropped him from second to a tie for 49th.

But the number 84 proved to be prophetic when Gore won his first PGA Tour event three months later as the "Gore roar" returned at the 84 Lumber Classic in Pennsylvania.

"I got into contention again, and I was calm about it," said Gore, who will be competing this week in the PGA Tour's Chrysler Classic of Tucson beginning Thursday. "That's what I learned so much about the Open."

Gore's what-me-worry philosophy is refreshing in a sport where most competitors stalk the links as if they are undergoing a root canal.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 235-pounder is far from the cookie-cutter touring pro who looks like he just stepped out of a Cutter & Buck catalog.

"I'm not ever going to be a guy who's 180 pounds," Gore said with a laugh while extolling the virtues of Tucson's Mexican food industry.

Gore, 31, was the Pac-10 champion in 1993 and '94 — his only two years at the UA — before finishing his career at Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif.

"Pepperdine was right down the road from his house and he wanted to be closer to home," UA golf coach Rick LaRose said. "We still consider him a Wildcat."

More than a few haunts claim the second touring pro to win on the developmental Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour in the same year.

A day after winning the 84 Lumber Classic, Gore trekked cross country to play in a Nationwide shootout event in Boise, Idaho.

Why?

"I made a commitment to be there," Gore replied. "They gave me my first sponsor's exemption out of college, and I wanted to return that loyalty."

When told of Gore's remarks, ex-Wildcat teammate Ted Purdy just shook his head.

"You won't find a better guy," said Purdy, who roomed with Gore when the two were UA freshmen. "And he's got the game to match his personality."

Added Tiger Woods, who competed against Gore in southern California junior golf and collegiately: "He's always been a very long hitter. It was just a matter of him fine-tuning his swing."

In an era of custom-fit clubs and revolving-door endorsements, Gore still plays the Nike clubs he picked up at a Nationwide event last year in Raleigh, N.C.

He spotted them under an equipment truck on the practice tee.

"Most pros get their names laser-etched on the hosel of their irons," Gore laughed. "Mine say NTS S400."

NTS stands for "Nationwide Tour Stock" — the same Nike Pro Combo irons you can buy at Nevada Bob's.

Oh sure, Gore splurged a little. New rides — a Range Rover for him and a Mercedes for wife Megan Ann — sport the driveway of their new home in Valencia, Calif.

The house had one key feature: A fenced yard for their toddler son, Jaxon.

In fact, about the only thing that gets Gore choked up is talking about family — the dad who passed away in 1997, and the grandson he never got to see.

"I think, at the end of the day, when my son gets old enough to talk, to have him say, 'Dad, you're my hero.' That's what it's all about," he added, the brim of his black Nike cap shielding his damp eyes. "I get it now."

CHRYSLER CLASSIC OF TUCSON

All events at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa, 2727 W. Club Drive, unless noted

Today

Arizona Diamondbacks/Chicago White Sox Pro-Am, noon

Monday

Arizona Diamondbacks/Tucson Electric Power Special Olympics three-hole tournament and putting clinic, 10 a.m.

United HealthCare Pro-Am, noon

Tuesday

The First Tee National School Program Youth Golf Clinic, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Aquafina Pro-Am, 7 a.m.

Dove Mountain Pro-Am, 8:30 p.m., The Gallery Golf Club