Couples motivated to win Boeing Classic

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Thursday, August 22, 2013 10:25pm
  • Sports

SNOQUALMIE — In a career flush with highlights, what happened to Fred Couples at last year’s Boeing Classic golf tournament was frustrating, discouraging, and, more than anything, painful.

It was, Couples recalled Thursday, “about as big a bummer as I’ve ever had.”

On that August day in 2012, and with an enthusiastic crowd cheering him on, the Seattle native made his opening tee shot at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, bent down to pick up his tee and then tried to straighten. Instead he felt searing back pain — “It was like a bomb went off in my lower back,” Couples said at the time — and it became more severe as he walked down the first fairway.

It was so bad that he was unable to reach down for his ball. His caddy had to pick it up, and then Couples rode a golf cart back to the clubhouse and then to the parking lot. His tournament was over after one swing.

“It was a touch embarrassing,” he said. “You come all the way up here (from his current California home) to play, and people are driving in cars to the course and I was driving away from the course. It was a little weird.”

The injury was so debilitating that Couples spent most of the next week laid up in bed at the home of a Seattle friend. It was another week before he could begin to walk comfortably, and nearly two months before he could swing a golf club.

Adding to the disappointment, it kept Couples from one of the last remaining and certainly most meaningful accomplishments of his career — winning a pro tournament in the Seattle area. He finished back in the field at the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2002 NEC Championship, both at Redmond’s Sahalee Country Club; second at the 2010 U.S. Senior Open, also at Sahalee; third and tied for 16th at the 2010 and 2011 Boeing Classics, and then last year’s withdrawal.

Being 0-for-6 in and around his onetime hometown only has heightened his desire to play well this year. “I would love to win this tournament,” he admitted.

Couples has not played competitively since July, but said he has practiced well in recent weeks “because it’s important to me to come up here and play well.”

Others in the field know how important a good Seattle-area showing is to Couples.

“I think Fred is definitely very motivated to do well in his home tournament,” said Kenny Perry, who leads this year’s Champions Tour in both earnings ($1,610,525) and Charles Schwab Cup points (2,619).

A win by Couples this week would be a nice addition to a year that is already quite special. In May, Couples was one of five inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla. He was introduced at the gala event by former University of Houston golf teammate and current TV broadcaster Jim Nantz, and it was, Couples said, “a thrill.”

Couples has yet to win in 2013, and he thinks the drought might have something to do with last year’s injury.

“I played at the end of (last) year, and it felt like I’d lost a little bit of the scoring touch, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’ve had a few chances to win this year, but there’ve been a couple of key shots every single time that have been mediocre at best.

“I’ll know it’s an important shot, but I don’t hit it quite right and I end up losing by a stroke. So I just feel like you have to get back in a winning rhythm.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.