The Desert Sun

By Leighton Ginn, sports reporter

DJE at Bob Hope Classic

Autograph seeker
January 18, 2002

David James Elliott, the star of the hit series “JAG” spent part of his day at Bermuda Dunes Country Club on Friday getting autographs. Two were for his daughter, who is a big fan of The Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake’s ’N Sync.

Elliott himself dabbled in music. He was a punk rocker before he turned to acting. As for his musical influences: “The Backstreet Boys,” he said. “They've come by later, but they're influencing me now. I like them."

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Celeb, caddie remember Palmer’s day
January 19, 2002

It was a day Matt Sigloch wouldn't forget.

Sigloch, the technical director for the television series "JAG" and caddy for series star David James Elliott, watched every hole Arnold Palmer played last year at PGA West in the fourth round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

That day, the 71-year-old Palmer added another remarkable tale to his storied career when he shot his age with a 1-under 71 on a course he designed.

"To be 71 and score a 71 is an inspiration," Sigloch said. "I try to stay in shape and I would like to compete and play in this game a long time.

"I just realized that I'm just 50 and there’s still a lot of good years of golf left. ... With this game, you seem to get better every year regardless of your age."

Elliott was equally thrilled to watch Palmer, a man he idolized. "He’s the greatest player ever, the every-man champion and he’s amazing," Elliott said after the round. "To still play that well at 71 and drive it over 300 yards, it’s amazing to watch."

Palmer will return to PGA West today, with several similarities to last year.

He will again play the course he designed on the fourth day. Palmer is teamed with Elliott again for the round. And he has a three-day total of 235, just like last year. Whether Palmer could shoot his age again, only time will tell.

But at least Sigloch will have a souvenir of last year. "I got a picture taken with me walking down with David and we were with Arnold," Sigloch said. "I will have that picture forever. It’s nice to get close to someone like that who’s a legend."

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Good caddies usually start out as good friends
January 20th, 2002

Technical advisor Matt Sigloch is a retired master sergeant in the Marines, and is technical advisor for the television series "JAG," starring David James Elliott. During their seven years of working together, Elliott and Sigloch have become friends.

While in the Marines, Sigloch was part of the evacuation of Saigon, the bombings in Beirut and Desert Storm before retiring in 1993. An avid golfer, Sigloch has been taking in the atmosphere of being with the professional golfers.

"It’s a learning process watching the pro," Sigloch said. "It helps you at any level of your game to be around them and pick things up." In addition to the golfers, Sigloch mingled with a baseball player, Don Sutton, who is a fan of "JAG." Sigloch made sure he got Sutton’s autograph for his father, who was a catcher for the New York Giants in 1941 and played under manager Mel Ott.

His best memory, Sigloch said, was being in the same group as Arnold Palmer last year when he shot his age (71) at PGA West. The 50-year-old Sigloch said it will be a long time before he can accomplish that, and said, "If I could do that, I'll still be inside the ropes, but I'd be playing."

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