Jodi Ewart-Shadoff met Adam her husband during her sophomore year at University of New Mexico. Adam, a local TV reporter interviewed Jodi after the first round in Albuquerque. The young Englishwoman continued to play well and they kept talking.
The conference win eventually led to a meeting that would last a lifetime. After college, Adam was back in the field at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Adam is a FOX 35 Orlando sports reporter and anchor. He first joined the media at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in late last year.
Jodi won her first Mediheal Championship title last year in her 246th attempt to qualify for the TOC field. She was also part of the pre-tournament panel interview panel. A colleague asked Adam, at the end of the session: “Nothing from Adam?” “You’re not going ask a question?”
Adam turned to his wife and asked her jokingly, “Who is the best sports anchor Orlando?”
Adam smiled and said, “She said, ‘Get out from here,'” and she walked off. It was hilarious.
The Shadoffs recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. They live less than 25 miles from Lake Nona. Jodi, who plays at the Ritz in town is not a member of Lake Nona. However, this was as close as she could hope to a home match. The TOC was actually one of the first things that came up when Shadoff won her first California victory last year.
Shadoff from Nona said, “It’s quite pure.” “It’s probably the best course we get to play all-year, in my opinion.”
She played with Brian Urlacher in the second round. Urlacher is a fellow Lobo player and NFL Hall of Famer. This was the first meeting between the former UNM stars.
Jodi said, “It was funny,” and continued, “Walking down one the early holes he takes, ‘Did your go to UNM? I’m like, yeah. He says, “So did I.” I reply, “Yeah, I know.” You were the legend.
Two of the best @UNM athletes of all-time and @UNMLOBOS Hall of Famers paired together at the @LPGA @HiltonGrandVac #HGVLPGA.@BUrlacher54 Brian Urlacher@Jodi_Ewart Jodi Ewart Shadoff pic.twitter.com/TuoSWUbvdS
— Adam Shadoff FOX35 (@FOX35Adam January 20, 2023
Adam was not in the studio when Jodi won Mediheal. He considered flying out to surprise Jodi in the final round.
“I thought, if she doesn’t win, I’m going feel like a jerk.” In the end, I decided not to go.
After she had hit No. 18 on the green, he was able to relax in his living room. 18 in regulation. That moment brought joy to everyone from coast to coast.
Jodi and the couple took a short vacation to Jackson Hole in Wyoming during Jodi’s offseason. The Englishwoman loves to be outside in the snow at least one time a year.
She laughed and said, “I don’t ski because it’s difficult to walk without getting hurt.”
Jodi was happy with the way things were turning at the end last season and didn’t want “to lose the feelings” after her best year. She took off for less than two weeks. Jodi was soon back at work with Grant Waite, her former PGA Tour winner, who explained that they mostly focused on efficiency.
He said that they spent a lot of time discussing how to fly the ball more, including “putting curves on curves off and trajectory control.” It’s not about reinventing it, it’s just making it turn a little better.
Another area of focus was the short game. Jodi, a top ball-striker on the tour, was ranked third in greens struck in regulation, 60th for driving distance, and 20th for driving accuracy. In regulation, she ranked 88th in putts to the green.
Jodi Ewart-Shadoff reacts to winning the 2022 LPGA Mediheal Championship held at The Saticoy Club, Somis (California). (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Although she prefers to concentrate on smaller goals, it’s clear that her thoughts are focused on the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain.
She said that she would love to represent Europe for the fourth time and that it would be great fun under Suzann Pettersen.
Adam played the TOC early in the week, but took the weekend to explore Lake Nona with his wife. Jodi was tied for 18th at her TOC debut. An LPGA win guarantees Jodi a place in the tournament for two years.
