October 21, 2002

COLUMBUS, OH — Mike Watkeys had a reason to want to play doubly well at the end of 2002.  He has not won anything in his life, but won the 2002 Horses Ass Award, beating out Matt Davis and Jeff Cowan. One summer later, he is back home in Columbus shining up his trophy.

"It?s amazing how one week you can be a hero and a month later people wonder if you can ever be looked at as not an ass," he said.  Then he squared his jaw and set out to answer his critics the best way he knew how ? with guarantees that his game and tequila sunrises would be better in 2003.

"I will need to put some pressure on field early," said Watkeys.  "The difference last year was my inability to keep focused.  Round 2 was a perfect example of losing your swing and cool."

But through all the lost respect, he has remained a non-consistent good golfer.  Every year he ranks in the top 20 raw score.  Hopefully, Mike Watkeys will give us a memoriable moment that does not include tree.