A Family Affair: The Gossetts At Muirfield
by Stephanie Morgan, Columbus Wired Columnist (May 31, 2003)

Joni Gossett is caddying this week for her brother, David Gossett. Of course, crowd speculation this week usually puts her as either David’s wife or girlfriend. Joni, however, takes it all in stride. “I just laugh. It’s true, lots of people ask if I’m his girlfriend and I truly laugh.”

Having caddied for her brother at a few tournaments, including his second-place finish at the Buick Classic for his second-highest career paycheck ($261,333).

As Joni tells it, their mother couldn’t be happier to have the two of them on the tour together. “My mom loves it when we’re together. It makes her smile. She says ‘oh, you’re together, you’ll take care of each other…’”

While on the course, there are certain clues as to when David is on the right track. Joni explains, “Yeah, I get the ‘alright, Kid Sis, this is what we’re going to do’ and I like that. That’s good. That usually means he’s going to hit a good shot.” Today was a difficult day on the course for most golfers, but Gossett finished a respectable 3-over-par, where he is currently tied with Gary Nicklaus.

Before anyone thinks that Joni is simply following her brother around the tour, it should be noted that Joni is a good golfer in her own right. Having just finished her Sophomore Year at Vanderbilt, she is a member of the Commodores Women’s Golf Team. In 2001, Joni won the Illinois Collegian State Championship in a playoff after a 54-hole total of 239. However, when asked about a pro career of her own, Joni is cautious. “Well, I’ll just hang out the next two years of college and see what comes. Work on my game and try to improve.”

And does her big brother offer advice? “Yeah. Practice is a key clue in how to get good.”

While Joni isn’t the only female caddy on the tour, she has yet to meet any of her counterparts. “Actually I haven’t met any. I know there’s Fanny Sunersson. I know some other sisters and a wife or two…”

With their busy schedules, Joni and David don’t get a chance to see each other that often outside of golf, but Joni confirms that getting the chance to caddy for her brother is a good time.