Everybody Loves Tadd

He’s got the smile, the personality and the game. But the best thing about golf prodigy Tadd Fujikawa is that after finding so much success and celebrity, he’s still the humble kid next door

Friday - March 09, 2007
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Tadd clowns for the camera with his
ball-eating driver cover

while earning four national judo titles by the age of 12 - got a major boost in one of golf ‘s biggest events.

“When I first started, I knew I could be the best and do well, but what I think really opened my eyes was when I played in the U.S. Open last year. It really let me know that I could play, and it showed me what level my game needs to be at to compete against the top players in the world.”

Though the world got a look at his game at the U.S. Open and even more at the Sony, getting here has not been an easy journey. After a full day at Moanalua High School that includes geometry, honors chemistry and Japanese, it’s off to the course for four or five hours of practice. Then it’s back home for a couple hours of homework prior to hitting the bed and starting the process over again. On weekends practice increases to five or six hours.

But while it’s a grind, nothing is forced.

“I make the decision if I want to practice or if I want to go out with my friends,” he says. “They support me no matter what I do.”

That being said, don’t think Tadd gets complete free range. At the time Lori - who played volleyball and gained her black belt in aikido by the age of 10 - was quick to point out that U.S. Open or not, there are still chores to do, and that not even the favorite son of the Golf Channel is above helping out around house.

Much of Tadd’s strength, and really the solid foundation of the entire family, can be traced to his maternal grandmother, Ellen Higuchi, who lost an arm during the Japanese Navy’s attack on Pearl Harbor at the age of 11. While sitting on the arm rest of a chair, a stray bomb tore through part of the home on Leilehua Lane, severing her arm above the elbow.

“She just amazes me,” says Tadd with a big smile of affection for his now 76-year-old grandma. “She is actually right -handed and she had to learn how to do everything with her left hand. It’s unbelievable what she can do with one arm. It just shows you that if you put your mind to it you can do anything.”

Where his grandmother is an inspiration, mom and dad’s role seems to be as much friendship as parental guidance. Good-natured joking flows easily between them as was shown when the topic of his premature birth pops up.

The former judo champ wrestles with dad Derrick

“It’s your fault,” Tadd tells his mom.

“You’re the one who had to come out early,” replies Lori.

“I just wanted to see the world.” And with Dad, well, Tadd just couldn’t help but laugh thinking about how much fun it was to toss his father Derrick over his shoulder during a photo shoot.

The business of Tadd Fujikawa is a full time job for Lori. It can be especially trying since she has to do it before, after and regretfully sometimes during her regular work day at a Kalihi auto body shop. Whether it’s cameras from the Golf Channel, interviews on ESPN, childhood photos for NBC or pesky interview requests from a certain local periodical, it can be overwhelming.

“It’s really stressful,” she says while praising her employers, Basic Auto, for their patience and support. “I got to go to work. People call me at work. It’s all right because it’s something to help him with his future. It’s a good kind of busy.”

Sitting off to the side during our interview, Lori sits behind a stack of business cards that only James Lipton could appreciate. It takes about an hour to input each one into her ever-constant companion, her BlackBerry.

It’s a labor of love.

As Tadd’s skill continues to develop, so will his ability to deal with what comes with it. He’s done masterfully so far, but fame can be difficult to deal with as more and more people want a piece of the action. For the time being, Tadd is enjoying it and says things aren’t so much different.

“People who I haven’t talked to before come up and introduce themselves and it’s really cool and it’s good to meet new people. I like it. Signing autographs is a bit weird at times, but my friends treat me the same.”

LPGA heart-throb Natalie Gulbis
admires Tadd’s turtle at Ko Olina

With that personality and approachability comes the need to sometimes separate himself from admirers and media. A skill that he has yet to master.

“I hate saying no to anyone,” he admits. “I don’t know if it’s a bad thing or not, and for some reason I have this paranoia of saying no. I just can’t do it. It’s really hard for me to do it. That’s why I need someone there with me to say no, I have to go. I’m getting better at it. I’m learning to say no to people because I have work to do.”

But while fans and media seem as if they will be an ever-present part of the Fujikawa family, Lori has a simple solution for how to deal with everything.

“We’re just a local family and we don’t know how to live any way else,” she says.

Tadd says his exact plans for the future are unknown. In fact, he hasn’t even decided on his next tournament - he’s passing up this weekend’s State Amateur to rest and focus on upcoming events - though playing in Japan would be nice if the family can figure out how to pay for it. College in the future is most likely, but he isn’t yet leaning toward any particular institution.

Tadd’s approach may seem strange in the modern era of sports that puts so much emphasis on visualization and on placing short-and long-term goals. Tadd isn’t worried about the future. Today is the focus. Much like the way he plays a round of golf. The only goal is to hit the best shot possible at the time and then move on. Worrying about your final score is pointless while looking at an approach shot on the third hole.

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