BJ Wie drops role as daughter's caddie
| • | LPGA should call truce |
By Harry Blauvelt
USA Today
Associated Press library photo
In the wake of what he calls an unfortunate experience at last week's U.S. Women's Open, Michelle Wie's father does not plan to caddie for his daughter the rest of this year.
This familiar sight at the U.S. Women's Open won't be repeated at Michelle Wie's five remaining appearances at pro events this year. "I don't want to cause Michelle problems," says BJ Wie.
"I don't want to cause Michelle problems," said BJ Wie, a University of Hawai'i professor. "I won't be her caddie at pro tournaments. So this kind of unpleasant incident will not happen again."
He was referring to problems involving one of his 13-year-old daughter's playing partners, Danielle Ammaccapane, during the first round at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore.
Ammaccapane said Michelle Wie and her father walked in her extended putting line on No. 11 (they started on No. 10), although not between her ball and the hole. A United States Golf Association official told Wie she hit out of turn on No. 8 while Ammaccapane was hitting. Later, Ammaccapane reportedly berated the teenager loudly in the scoring area.
Friday, BJ Wie said Ammaccapane brushed against his daughter on the 14th green during play Thursday. Ammaccapane's father, Ralph, reportedly threatened BJ Wie before Saturday's round, and BJ Wie asked the USGA for extra security. His daughter already had guards, as did all prominent golfers, but her security increased slightly. After the round BJ Wie retracted the brushing accusation.
Because of the incidents, it is likely Michelle Wie's coach, Gary Gilchrist, who carried her bag Sunday, will caddie for her at the July 21-26 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship and again at the Aug. 4-10 U.S. Women's Amateur.
But for her five other remaining events of 2003 — three on the LPGA tour and two against men, one each on the Canadian and Nationwide tours — the Wies might opt for a professional caddie. Whoever carries her bag, it won't be her father.
"For the pro events, I definitely think they need a professional caddie," says Gilchrist, director of golf at the David Leadbetter Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
For the next two weeks, the Wie family will be out of the spotlight. They're visiting relatives in California.
"Michelle tends to forget all bad things quickly," her father said. "She's having fun with her cousins."
