Jeff Gove, who will be 42 on May 28, is chasing his dream again. Hollywood makes movies about these kinds of dream-chasers — “Rudy,” or ”The Rookie,” or even “Hoosiers.” Who doesn’t love a dreamer, especially one who has been chasing for 20 years?
“Physically, I feel better than 10 years ago,” he says. “Mentally, I’m a little more mature. If I play the way I’m capable of playing, I’ll take another run at it.”
It’s not unusual for golfers to be competitive at his age. Vijay Singh, who turned 50 on Feb. 22, had a record 22 victories in his 40s. Four players in their 40s are still ranked among the top-21 in the world: Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and David Toms.
Success can happen. Why not for Jeff Gove? His advantage, he believes, is his age. He’s been around – and up and down. He knows everyone on the Tour. He’s not cowed when paired with a Mickelson or a Mahan.
“You have to have the attitude that, ‘He’s watching what I’m doing, too,’’’ he says. “I’ve been out here long enough. I’m friends with all these guys. I’m not intimidated.
“I know it’s a long year,” he continues. “When some young guys get off to a bad start, they hit the panic button. I have a good perspective on life now. Golf is a gift, not a right. It’s not the only thing I can do. I appreciate every chance I can get. I’m not sure I had that attitude when I first got here 12 years ago. You can’t live and die on every shot.”
It should be pointed out that Gove is not living hand-to-mouth. During his Tour career, he has won $2.1 million, although that’s sliced up pretty quickly by taxes, caddy fees, equipment and traveling expenses. Over the past three seasons, he has basically broken even. It’s his good fortune, however, to be playing during a time when tournament purses are gigantic, where one victory can set a player up for life. One Sunday payday can make up for 20 years worth of labor.
Gove would love to experience that kind of good fortune, one time, but not simply as a strict monetary pursuit.
“If you’re playing for the money, you’re in for the wrong reason,” he says.
He wants sustained success — when that happens, the money takes care of itself. He wants to be among the top-125 or so on the Tour every year. More than anything, he wants to win. He wants to walk down the 18th fairway some Sunday afternoon in the final group with a shot at the prize. That’s the dream he’s chasing.
“You have to have a belief in your ability,’’ he says. “And to win, you need to get a break or two somewhere along the way earlier in week. Anyone in the top four or five has had those breaks.’’