Don’t expect “Fluff” to slow down yet.
This season on the PGA Tour, there’s a time traveler walking the fairways alongside the game’s best.
Working with PGA Tour winner C.T. Pan, the legendary caddie, Mike “Fluff” Cowan, has returned to the PGA Tour.
He explained that the arrangement came about rather simply.
“I needed a player, he needed a caddie,” he shared at the Players Championship two weeks ago.
That’s the kind of matter-of-fact personality Cowan has been known for over his nearly 50-year career caddying on the PGA Tour, along with his characteristic bushy white mustache.
But he is perhaps best known for his lengthy partnership with Jim Furyk and his time carrying the bag for Tiger Woods during the first four seasons of his professional career, including at the 1997 Masters. He’s also looped for Ed Sabo, Peter Jacobsen, Fred Couples, and Michelle Wie.
Despite already working for Pan six times this season, including Pan’s impressive T3 finish at the Mexico Open, Cowan’s more than two-and-a-half decade run with Furyk is far from over.
In fact, the 76-year-old went straight from the Players Championship with Pan to last week’s Hoag Classic in California to work for Furyk on the PGA Tour Champions.
“He’s just a dear friend,” emphasized Furyk, who appreciates how Cowan seamlessly transitions between different relationships. “He’s always going to be a friend and now it’s become where I feel like he’s a friend first, but when we get out there on the golf course and he’s carrying the bag and we’re working, he kind of has to play a different role. He has to be a caddie and he’s got to work for me.”
Furyk draws parallels between his player-caddie dynamic with Cowan and the teacher-student dynamic he had with his father, Mike, who also served as his only instructor throughout his professional career.
But why does Cowan, at the age of 76, keep trotting out there, back-to-back weeks, to carry a 40-50 lbs golf bag for five hours a day? Furyk provides a simple answer: “He loves what he does.”
“He’s out here at 76, I think he just really enjoys what he does,” Furyk shared. He credits Cowan’s dedication to his love for being a caddie, relishing in the camaraderie with his peers and the opportunity to engage in casual conversations, whether smoking a cigarette, discussing the day, or simply carrying the bag and working.
Furyk also believes that finding true enjoyment in one’s occupation is the key to a wonderful life and is something he strives to instill in his own children. He attributes Fluff’s unwavering personality to his consistency and genuine nature, regardless of their performance on the course. Their partnership has lasted for nearly 25 years now.
While Cowan’s namesake mustache and toned calves remain unchanged, along with his relentless drive to accompany Furyk, Pan, or any other player, the inevitability of time looms.
“You know, it seems like he’s going to caddie forever, but he’s probably not,” mused Furyk. “I’ll definitely miss when we’re not out here together.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Who is Mike “Fluff” Cowan?
Mike “Fluff” Cowan is a legendary caddie who has worked with several prominent golfers, including Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods. He is known for his matter-of-fact personality and iconic bushy white mustache.
Which golfers has Fluff Cowan caddied for?
Fluff Cowan has caddied for golfers such as Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods, Ed Sabo, Peter Jacobsen, Fred Couples, and Michelle Wie. He has an extensive career spanning nearly 50 years on the PGA Tour.
Why does Fluff Cowan continue to caddie at the age of 76?
Fluff Cowan continues to caddie because he truly loves what he does. Despite his age, he finds joy in being on the golf course, interacting with fellow professionals, and carrying the bag for his players.
What is the significance of Mike Cowan’s friendship with Jim Furyk?
Mike Cowan and Jim Furyk share a deep friendship that has transcended their professional relationship. Furyk appreciates Cowan’s ability to seamlessly transition from friend to caddie on the golf course, likening their dynamic to the teacher-student relationship he had with his father.
How long have Mike “Fluff” Cowan and Jim Furyk been working together?
Mike “Fluff” Cowan and Jim Furyk have been working together for nearly 25 years. Their enduring partnership is a testament to their mutual respect and camaraderie on and off the course.
Mike “Fluff” Cowan is a legendary caddie who has worked with prominent golfers such as Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods. Despite being 76 years old, he continues to caddie because he truly loves what he does. His friendship with Furyk is deep and enduring, similar to the teacher-student relationship Furyk had with his father. They have been working together for nearly 25 years. Cowan’s unwavering personality and dedication to his craft are a testament to his consistency and genuine nature. He is known for his iconic bushy white mustache and toned calves.
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