By Flint Wheeler
It has been almost 20 years since a 21-year-old Tiger Woods stormed the course at Augusta en route to his first victory at the Masters in 1997, and this year there is another hot young American star is breaking course records, wearing Green Jackets and, at 21, sets the bar as a person even higher – Jordan Spieth.
Spieth, who finished in second last year’s tournament, is one of the best new golfers on the PGA Tour, and it is not just his stroke play that’s impressive. The Dallas, Texas native just plunked down $2.3 million on a stunning Texas mansion and has a gorgeous girlfriend, high school sweatheart, Annie Verett. All this, oh AND he’s a great guy. Take notes kids…
Spieth grew up the oldest of three siblings to Shawn and Chris Spieth. Steven, Spieth’s younger brother, is an athlete as well, and plays basketball for Brown. Then there is his youngest sibling Ellie, who was born with a neurological disorder that places her on the autism spectrum, and who has played the biggest role in shaping her brother’s career according to Spieth’s mother, particularly when it comes to the young superstar staying so grounded.
“Jordan wouldn’t be where he’s at today if he didn’t grow up with Ellie,” said Mrs. Spieth in an interview with ESPN.
“Jordan realizes this isn’t real life at the Masters. Trying to sit around and have dinner when his sister doesn’t want to eat when everybody else is eating and has a fit, that’s real life.”
Spieth on his own website has said; “Being Ellie’s brother humbles me every day of my life.”
It is for this reason he set up the Jordan Spieth Charitable Trust, which focuses on special needs youth, and was inspired by Ellie.
“She’s the funniest member of our family,” says Spieth of Ellie.
“I really love when she’s able to be out there, love spending time with her. It’s humbling to see her and her friends and the struggles they go through each day that we take for granted — their kind of lack of patience or understanding, where it seems easy for us and it’s not for them.”
He then added, “But at the same time, they are the happiest people in the world, and when I say they, I speak to special-needs kids. And my experience with her and in her class and with her friends, it’s fantastic. I love being part of it and helping support it.”
Jordan began gaining notice in the golf world when he was just a teenager, becoming the only American besides Woods to claim two US Junior Amateur titles after winning in 2009 and 2011. As a result of his accomplishments in junior play, he even gained entry into a PGA event, becoming the sixth youngest player to ever make the cut when at just 17-years-old he began the third round in the PGA Tour’s HP Byron Nelson Championship, ultimately finishing in a tie for 16th place. Soon after he decided to attend University of Texas and lead them to the NCAA Championship in his first year. He got to play in the US Open in 2012, where he finished as low amateur. He left however during his sophomore year, and by the end of the 2013 season found himself 10th on the PGA Tour money list, winning the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, an honor also won by Woods. This after he became the fourth youngest winner in PGA history after taking the John Deere Classic when he was just 19-years-old and was selected by golfing great Fred Couples to play in the 2013 Presidents Cup.
2014 was even better, with a final group pairing Sunday at Augusta and winning back-to-back victories in November and early December.
He is now enjoying some of these winnings in the form of his new mansion in his native Dallas. Located in the city’s exclusive Preston Hollow neighborhood, the 7,378 square-foot estate sits on roughly an acre of land and boasts five bedrooms with private bathrooms, a 288 bottle wine closet, a media room, game room, pool, spa and plenty of room to put all those trophies and more than enough land to set up, at the very least, a chipping green.
As for Verret, little if known of the recent college graduate, and she keeps a low profile, though she did travel to cheer on Spieth during the 2013 President’s Cup.
“This is the greatest week in our sport,” Spieth said after his round on Saturday.
“Last year definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. I’ve been looking to get some revenge. I’ve still got a long way to go.”
