J.J. Spaun, a U.S. Open and Andy’s Hands
One of many spiritual layers to J.J. Spaun’s win at Oakmont
On Sunday afternoon, as J.J. Spaun drained the 64-foot putt on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open, overcoming the weather, bad breaks, that brutal course, the field of competition and a career of adversity—not to mention a 3am run to CVS for Violet, his daughter, who couldn’t stop throwing up—the Goat Hill Park text thread, made up of about 25 members, erupted with: “OMG!” There was the proverbial “IN YOUR LIFE?” And then several chimed in with: “LET’S GOOOOO!” Jay Bird, the Goat head pro, summed it up with his text: “That’s the greatest shit ever!”
And then John Ashworth, the “caretaker” of the course, texted what everyone was thinking: “As if Andy didn’t have a hand in that?!...Give me a break – BOOM BABY!!!!”
After all, it was only the day before, on that Saturday in Oceanside, Calif., when almost 500 people gathered at Goat Hill Park, the beautiful little muny that Ashworth saved from a sale by the city in July, 2014. You know that story by now: Ashworth, along with a tireless staff and a lot of loyal locals, has made the course better every day since he was given the lease.
But on this particular sunny afternoon, the course was closed, there were shiny white tables and chairs on the first tee and near the 18th green, food was being served, drinks were flowing, kids were playing and dogs were chasing what dogs chase when they’re off a leash. As for the adults, they were mostly hugging. Occasionally laughing. But unfortunately, there were also quite a few tears.
When it came time to address the assembled crowd, the only person who took to the mic was Alex Wood (below, second from right), who was flanked by his daughter and battled the layers of pain that comes with losing a younger brother. Andy Wood, 33, had died in March. And this was the day the grieving community was huddling up and honoring the lanky legend who epitomized the spirit and soul of the golf course and the culture that has been cultivated for the better part of the last 11 years.
Alex told stories about how much Andy loved his family. How good he was to his parents (above, left). That he was the ultimate brother and uncle. Andy was loyal, hard-working, generous with his time and gracious to Goat newcomers. And he was competitive.
Andy Wood, who hovered around a scratch handicap, was a fixture on the far-right side of the Goat driving range. That narrow frame seemed to be permanently attached to his carry bag. The only thing more consistent than his dedication to getting better was his energy and enthusiasm for life, competition and his community. In 2024, Andy bought a house neighboring the 17th green. Of course he did. Where else would Andy Wood live?! That house was always tidy, well organized and filled with trophies. The special aspect of this anecdote is that Andy Wood and his family’s sheet metal company would make those trophies for Goat competitions and then Andy would go out and win them.
If Andy made a putt, you could hear it whip through the Eucalyptus trees: “BOOM BABY!” If he got on a heater, you’d hear a definitive: “LET’S GOOOOO!!!” And the volume was often followed closely by a 1990’s Tiger Woods fist pump.
A quick scan of Andy’s Instagram feed and it’s pictures of him in celebratory Sombreros, drinking Compadres by Dogleg Brewery, hoisting yet another handmade piece of hardware.
Prior to golf, Andy raced motorcycles. You guessed it: More trophies. The kid was a winner. Nicknames included “Android,” for being a robotic tactician when it came to the way he attacked the racetrack. Others would call him “Young Blood.”
We can all agree, at 33, he’s gone too soon.
Goat Hill Park is a special place. It’s often lauded for its character, charm and its integrity. It holds people accountable. It demands a certain level of precision and respect. Which explains the chemistry between the course, this community and Andy Wood. They were, and always will be, a perfect match.
So, what does Andy Wood’s celebration of life at Goat Hill Park have to do with J.J. Spaun celebrating a U.S. Open at Oakmont?
When J.J. Spaun was a senior at San Diego State, he played on the golf team with Colin Featherstone, who was good friends with Andy Wood. Spaun, Featherstone and Wood were all roommates their senior year (Wood’s junior year) and have all remained connected and close.
And as people dispersed after the celebration of Andy’s life on Saturday evening, there were several people connecting the dots of what might transpire the following day in Pennsylvania. There were a lot of people feeling like Spaun had more than just his caddie carrying his bag that week, and especially that final round.
The common sentiment: “I hope J.J. wins this one for Andy.”
No need for the play-by-play. We all either watched it or have seen the highlights by now. For as many bad breaks as Spaun got that day, he never lost his composure. After going out in 40 on the front-9, he held the line and started making putts from all over those big and burly greens. He made a 40-footer. He made a 22-footer. He almost aced the par-4 17th. Then he made the 65-footer on the 72nd hole and won the National Championship by two strokes.
Which was when Alex Wood called Collin Featherstone and asked: “Are you fucking kidding me?!”
I spoke to Featherstone that evening. He had been watching on his phone as he celebrated Father’s Day on the beach. “This is crazy,” he said. “There’s obviously a little extra something special going on here.”
In Monday’s game story from the U.S. Open, Alan Shipnuck reported for Skratch:
“As J.J. Spaun was leaving Oakmont, he couldn’t help but think about his fallen friend, Andy Wood. ‘I’m gonna have a beer for him tonight,’ Spaun said.”
Featherstone caught up with Spaun on Monday afternoon, who confirmed several things: First and foremost, their lifelong bet on the upcoming Dodgers/Padres series. Second, that Spaun felt like the U.S. Open win was an intersection of several layers of spiritual synchronicity. And yes, J.J. did in fact have a few beers for their friend Andy Wood.
BOOM BABY!
