FROM THE ARCHIVES: Spaun loves adobo, pinakbet

J.J. Spaun, winner of the Texas Open over the weekend, talks fondly of his Filipino grandfather who speaks Ilocano and traces his roots in Victoria, Tarlac.

“So, my grandfather on my mom’s side, he’s not from the Philippines, but his parents were. But they moved to California and he was born there, but he spoke Ilocano, which is like a dialect of Tagalog,” said the 31-year-old.

“My whole mom’s side, they’re all half Filipino and half Mexican, so that’s what makes up my heritage.”Angel Rigor, the grandfather, passed away in 2018, but left a lasting influence – on the dinner table.

“We like Filipino food,” said John Michael Spaun Sr., J.J.’s father. “Adobo, lumpia, pinakbet, deep-fried tilapia.”

His wife, Dollie, an office manager, learned the recipes from her late father Angel, according to John.

On Sunday, Spaun won his first PGA Tour title on his 147th start, earning him a spot to this week’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

“It means the world. You’ve only dreamed of playing there for most of us. To think that we’re going to be heading there tonight or tomorrow is incredible,” said Spaun during the post-event press conference.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I can’t wait. Hopefully, I can have another good week there, too.”

Three things that J.J. is looking forward to at Augusta: Magnolia Drive, the par-3 contest and a pimiento cheese sandwich.

The elder Spaun said he would be going to Augusta National, too.Since J.J. started swinging the club at the age of two, John Michael knew he’s special.

“He loved to swing his golf clubs. I had a practice net in the garage where we would practice hitting practice balls,” he said.

J.J. started getting better and better.

“He won the very first golf tournament that he ever played in when he was 10,” John Michael recalled.

“He was by far better than all the juniors in our area. He then won the junior club championship in California by 12 strokes when he was 11.”

J.J. attended the San Diego State University where he became one of the standouts.

His best performance as an amateur was joint third in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association national championship won by John Peterson.

He was tied with Ryder Cup veteran Patrick Reed, finishing ahead of Jordan Spieth.

A 10-year professional, J.J. said losing his tour card last year was probably the best thing to happen for him.

“I went to Korn Ferry Finals and fought hard, and won it back in the first tournament. I didn’t win, but I got it back finishing tied for second place,” said the veteran pro who is married with an 18-month daughter.

"It kind of was like a switch that needed to be flipped and maybe something with confidence that I needed to find once again.”

John Michael said they have not been to the Philippines, but would love to visit the country soon.“I am a hospital administrator and many of my nurses are from the Philippines. They would encourage me to go visit,” he said.