April 22, 2004

MARYSVILLE, OH — If he doesn't hear the whispers, Tom Fowble at least acknowledges that they are there. If he doesn't believe they are warranted, he at least understands why they exist.

Fowble won the Spackler Championship, and his name will forever be engraved on the Championship Trophy. But last summer's Open Championship victory at Thunder Hill will also remain a burden until he shows that it was more than simply one glorious week in the Ohio rain.

Before his stunning victory at the Carl Spackler Open, Fowble, 36, had never finished among the top-10 in any golf event. He had never played in a major championship, never even set foot Madison County. Ranked 30th in raw score, Fowble beat the likes of Chad Long, Matt Davis, Brian Flanagan, and Bill Bateson.

Fowble was an amazing story, and still is. But his next top-10 finish on the Spackler Tour will be his second -- along with the Carl Spackler Open victory. Fluke? Fowble himself used the word, and explained that he is doing his best to prove that is not the reality.

"I don't really pay attention to the media or what people are saying and what not," Fowble said after a 113 at Rickenbacker. "I just go out there and play golf and try to do the best I can."

Would he trade the victory for a more consistent rise to greatness? Heck, no. As difficult as major championships are to win, you grab them when you can and deal with the consequences. And the repercussions for Fowble are questions concerning when he'll back up such a lofty achievement.

"I know I'm the Open champion, but at the same time you have to look to the future and not rely on the past," said Fowble, whose 22 point round at Rickenbacker round was his only of this year.

Fowble admitted that in the aftermath of his victory, he was overwhelmed by the attention and the demands on his time. A month later, he found out a second baby was on the way. That kind of family time certainly cuts into practice time.

For sure, there is nothing wrong with a good attitude. But instead of pursuing his goals in solitude, he'll have to endure the whispers for at least 48 more days.