GOLFER'S BEST FRIEND? HIS CADDIE.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

Colin Wilcox will walk every fairway of Winged Foot this week. He'll try to line up impossible putts on undulating greens and avoid nasty five-10 inch rough. He'll have positive images of perfect approach shots dancing in his head.

He won't have to hit any shots, however. That's Alex Coe's job. But Wilcox's job as his caddie at the U.S. Open is important, too.

Wilcox, a Camarillo High product, will carry Coe's bag for the major. He carried it through the local and sectional qualifiers that sent Coe to one of the grandest showcases in golf.

He doesn't have to pack any superstitious items.

``There's no good luck charms, just me,'' Wilcox said. ``We're just going to have fun with it and enjoy the experience. It's something we'll remember forever.''

Wilcox won't recommend any changes in Coe's bag. They both figure they'll keep using what's been working. If things should continue to work, it will be because they'll share a positive approach.

``You can't stand up there on the tee and think `Don't go left. You're dead left,'' Wilcox said. ``Then, in your mind, you're thinking like crazy to not go left. I'd say, `Pick a good target and keep it down the right side and you'll be fine. Commit to it and make an aggressive swing.''

Wilcox won't be afraid to disagree with Coe on club selection or strategy but he knows ultimately, everything comes down to Coe. Wilcox changed Coe's mind on the 18th hole of the sectional qualifier at Lake Merced.

``Ask him about that,'' Coe said. ``He's a great player in his own right.''

Coe wasn't sure if he should play the hole aggressively but Wilcox nearly demanded it. Coe took his advice and the move worked like a charm.

``We were 260 (yards) or so out and downhill,'' Wilcox said. ``He was 1-over for that 18 and I told him we needed to make birdie here and hit a good drive. He was wondering if he should go for it. There was no doubt. He hit a three-wood to about eight feet and made the putt.''

The two have been friends for the last couple of years. They know each other's games well. Their personalities mesh. They're similar in many ways and different in others.

It's a good thing they know each other well because Wilcox wasn't scheduled to arrive in New York until Tuesday night. Wilcox and Coe were in Ireland on a Pepperdine golf trip. Coe arrived in the Big Apple on Sunday. Wilcox stayed to play a couple more rounds.

``I think we just have to do the best with the time we have,'' Wilcox said.

``I think we'll get two practice rounds in. I've watched tournaments there -- the U.S. Amateur and the PGA Championship when Davis Love (III) won. I know you've gotta to keep it in the fairway. The rough is long. It's not like we're trying to wing it but obviously, all the touring pros have a bigger advantage.''

Winged Foot might be a monster of a course but Coe needs to stick to what he does best and Wilcox will be on hand to make sure that happens. Coe won't hit it the farthest but if he can hit it straight and putt well, good things should happen. Coe said he hit all but two fairways during his practice round on Monday.

``I know his game well and know what he's good at and know what he's not so strong in,'' Wilcox said. ``The main thing for me out there is just to keep him up and keep him comfortable before he hits every shot. I'll be giving him good thoughts. I'll say what to do versus what not to do. I'm good at keeping him loose.''

An important job, indeed.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

Colin Wilcox, pictured, will carry the bag for Pepperdine teammate Alex Coe in the U.S. open.

Courtesy of Pepperdine University 

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

(2) Etc.