Meet the caddie: JJ Jakovac
By Susanna Baker · December 29, 2019
How long have you caddied?
9 Years
Players I’ve caddied for…
Collin Morikawa, Matt Bettencourt, Zack Miller, John Merrick, Pete Tomasulo, Ryan Moore
Childhood hometown…
Napa, CA
Did you play college golf?
Yes
Where did you play?
Cal State University Chico (2000-2004)
What is your greatest golf memory?
Won two NCAA DII individual championships
What is your greatest memory as a caddie?
Winning in Malaysia for two years in a row.
What is the best part about being a caddie?
Being part of the action when you have a chance to win on the back nine on Sunday. Great to feel those butterflies.
Favorite professional golfer growing up?
Payne Stewart
Favorite city to visit?
Napa
Favorite course to caddie?
Augusta National
Favorite course to play?
Winged Foot
Favorite food?
Sushi
Favorite beverage?
Beer
Favorite restaurant?
Sushi Bomb
Favorite bar?
UVA
Favorite sports team?
Warriors, Giants, Raiders
Favorite movie?
A River Runs Through It
Who would be in your dream golf foursome, as a player?
Steph Curry, Ronald Regan, Hank Aaron
Hobbies outside of golf?
Fly fishing, mostly stream freshwater for trout or steelhead
What is your golf handicap?
2
Alternate career choice and why?
General contractor, because I have always enjoyed building things and I actually worked in construction for a while between playing and the start of my caddying career.
What has been the biggest highlight of your caddying career?
2016 Ryder Cup
What is your favorite stop on Tour and why?
Memorial, love the golf course and I have close friends that I stay with that week. Always good to see them!
Where do you reside during off season?
Las Vegas
What is one thing about you that most people would be surprised to know?
Woodworking skills
Greatest golf shot you have personally witnessed on Tour?
Rory Mcllroy 16 final round tour championship. He was 3 back and holed it from 160ish yards, gets in a playoff with us and ends up winning the whole thing.
I know your mom Bobbie, she is in my spin class at Synergy. She is a great lady. Keep up the good work. Alan and Leslie.
I couldn’t hardly believe my ears last Sunday when I heard the name Jakovac on TV. It’s not a name you hear very often. Good going from one Jakovac to another, we are in Salmon, Idaho, descendants of three John, Sebastian and Tony who came here from Sunger in 1899. Congratulations on your success.
Well done today!
I love the white hat you were wearing this past weekend. Where can I get one??????
Thanks
J.J. –
It was a pleasure watching you work with Collin in the Workaday event at Muirfield.
During COVID-19 spectator limitations, television viewers are afforded a more intimate look into the player/caddie relationship and the communication that occurs between them. Your demeanor with Collin is very calming and your direction clear and concise. I can see in his eyes the trust he has for you and, like Tiger and Stevie, you two make an amazing team. I live in Dallas and hope to meet you both at the Byron next year. Best wishes for continued success!
Zack Zaccari
I really like the hat you were wearing this weekend. Where can I get one?
Well done this week!
I agree, Jim, I have been searching for that hat. I know it was part of the Valspar Caddy Hat program, but I haven’t been able to find out even what brand it is…
We have an answer from J.J. It’s the “Watership” from Imperial. https://www.imperialsports.com/product-category/watership-collection/
Thanks, TJ.
However, none of the “Watership” hats in that link to Imperial look like the hat he was wearing. There are several styles of the Watership, but they all look like standard bucket style hats, not the style and shape that he was wearing.
JJ,
Wow! That Workday tournament was fun to watch.
Great win for you and Collin M. Only the beginning for you two.
Kevin W
p.s., I also like that sunhat you were wearing. Can you give me a clue as to brand and model? Thanks.
We have an answer from J.J. It’s the “Watership” from Imperial. https://www.imperialsports.com/product-category/watership-collection/
Looking forward, JJ, to your updating the entry for greatest golf shot you have personally witnessed. Gotta be Collin’s eagle drive on 16 Harding Park to win 2020 PGA. Yes?
Ronald Regan for your foursome, please tell us more! We love his tough authoritarian stance, sees every issue as either yes or no! You have to be that decisive to be a caddy at the highest ranks!
JJ:
Thank you for helping Collin win. Behind every great player is a great caddy.
Please thank him for repping Cal Berkeley. It is about time we had our own Tiger Woods.
Hi JJ,
My name is Jerry Jakovac and I live in Chatham, Ontario, Canada . I love golf but I stink at it. My wife and I have four daughters. Their names are Jeri Lynn, Jodi Lee, Jani Kaye and Jennifer Nicole. If we would have had a boy, he was going to be named James Joseph Jakovac. (Jimmy Joe casually). I had never heard anyone else named Jakovac so with Collins success, I tell my golfing buddies it because you are a Jakovac and that is the reason for the great golf he’s playing. I do mention Collin does have some talent. Good luck to the both of you.
All the best and stay safe.
JJ…I just heard that you were on tv from my Dad…so glad to hear you are doing great. If you want to go fishing some time, you’re welcome to come back and visit me here in Charleston, SC and catch some redfish on the fly on the flats 🙂
Been a long time since I’ve seen you, so glad to hear you’re doing well.
Cheers, Roby S.
Hi JJ, your Dad and I played golf together on the Ukiah High Golf team back in the 60’s. He was a great player and a fun guy to hang with. It is great to see you doing so well. Please wish Jan well. Keep it going.
Don’t think he’s 30 y.o., as I watched him win the 2002 California State Fair Championship. Think he’ more like 40.
My mouth dropped open when the sportscaster talked of you during the final few holes of the 2021 Open. I’m also from Napa and played for Napa College Golf Team (1964-65) and then on to Chico State. Congratulations to you and Collin! I’ll be following you two closely in the future. Best Regards, Bill