By Lisa Marien
Northwest Asian Weekly
Rickie Yutaka Fowler
There is less than a month until the 2015 U.S. Open Championship, the first U.S. Open in the Pacific Northwest that will be held in Chambers Bay, WA. The event beginning on June 18th through the 21st will feature favorite Rickie Yutaka Fowler, 27, born in Murrieta, CA, and of Japanese and Navajo descent. Currently he resides in Jupiter, CA.
Golf was always in Rickie’s blood. He is known for his bold golf fashion and sense of humor and is currently is one of the most popular young American golfers. Rickie began golfing at the age of three. He grew up right next to a golf course back in Murrieta. By his junior year in high school, he had won the California State Championship. In 2007, he began playing at Oklahoma State University and became the first freshman ever awarded the NCAA Player of the Year. He became professional in 2009.
Originally, motorcross was his passion until he sustained injuries after a dirt bike accident when he was fourteen. Though he is still passionate about motorcross, he made a decision to make golf his competitive sport.
Golf is continuing to become more diverse culturally. Rickie is diverse himself as he is of Japanese and Navajo decent. He is an inspiration, hometown hero, and a positive and passionate role model for community. In 2011, he started a non-profit, the Rickie Fowler Foundation to help Japanese and Native American communities thrive.
Rickie is as passionate about golf as he is about his alma mater, Oklahoma State. At OSU, Rickie was an All-American and became the first-ever freshman to win NCAA Player of the Year. His devotion for OSU stems deep. He wears orange every Sunday and has the OSU logo emblazoned on his golf bag. Rickie’s Cobra irons even have the color orange on them.
His faith in prayer runs as deep as his faith in Oklahoma State. He attends weekly bible study events while on the PGA tour and has even written bible verses on his golf balls.
Recently, Rickie won The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. His amazing win definitely sets the tone for what his future may bring to the 2015 U.S. Open. He returned with grace and form from a five-shot deficit in Ponte Vedra to win The Player’s Championship. He beat some of the finest competitors in golf including, Sergio Garcia, Kevin Kisner, Tiger Woods and former UW Husky, Nick Taylor. (end)
Lisa Marien can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.