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Published on 06/15/1998 All articles from this issue

A PGA leader board of his very own

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By Pete Borello

Town Crier Staff Writer

100 pro golfers sign local boy's poster board

Sean Kawaguchi may seem shy, but the 6-year-old isn't bashful when it comes to approaching pro golfers for autographs.

The Los Altos resident has collected approximately 100 signatures from Pro Golf Association (PGA) tour players this year at various Bay Area tournaments.

So what's his secret?

"I just bring a pen," said Sean, a first grader at Almond Elementary School.

And one day, kids might approach Sean for his autograph. Not only is he a fan of the game, but Sean is also a promising young player.

Sean took an interest in golf at 14 months old, according to his father Glenn. Sean started hitting golf balls at age 2 and played in his first tournament at 4.

He has a private instructor, plus his own driving net and putting green in the Kawaguchis' back yard.

Sean shoots in the mid-40s for nine holes, according to Glenn, and he can drive the ball about 100 yards.

Sean was first featured in the Town Crier nearly two years ago, and he uses a copy of that story to help acquire autographs. His father attached the story to a poster board in February, and Sean has been getting golfers to sign it ever since.

Many of the biggest names in golf have autographed the board, including Paul Azinger, John Daly, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Justin Leonard and Payne Stewart.

Sean obtained a slew of signatures at last week's U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Some of the pros took a few moments to talk with Sean and look over his board.

"No one's seen anything like it," Glenn said. "The players were blown away by it."

Sean also picked up a few tips from his golfing heroes.

"I learned a lot watching them," Sean said. "They hit the ball far."

With autographs now blanketing both sides of the board, there's little room for many more. But Sean would definitely find space for the signature of his favorite golfer: Tiger Woods.

"Sean tried to get Tiger at the U.S. Open, but he ignored him," Glenn said. "I think he was 'in the zone' at the time."

When the board can no longer handle another signature, Sean has some plans for it.

"Maybe I'll make it into a book," he said.