I'm reading a bio on Bruce Edwards, a caddy for pro Tom Watson, who suffered from ALS. Interesting story (although I'm not necessarily recommending the book).

But it brings back memories of my days as a golf caddy. When my parents moved to a house right across the street from a golf course, my father made me go caddy at age 12. Barely bigger than a golf bag, I began a 5 year career as a toter of all sorts of golfer paraphernalia.

Despite the low pay and hard, hot work, I enjoyed my job. Looking back, I'm not sure why. This was all back in the fifties, sans carts. Sometimes I caddied twice a day (36 holes), often doing double (carrying two bags at once). Weighing less than 125 lbs, it was a demanding summer job. I could work for 4 hours and earn a measly $2--total! But for an early teenager, $2-300 bucks for the summer seemed like a fortune.

Of course, that's how I got started in golf. Day in and day out, I asked myself how could these "hackers" be so bad? I quickly picked up the game, and by age 16 I could beat them all--and get their money by playing rather than carrying their bags.

I understood fully well why Bruce Edwards became a caddy rather than go to college and become a doctor like his father. It's a "call of the wild" that inflicts some people.

Comments:

Well, it took me so long to get down to the comment box, I forgot what I was going to say!

comment by sunlight on July 3, 2008 10:00 PM ()

I knew we had a psychic and sage somewhere on this site!

reply by sunlight on July 6, 2008 5:35 PM ()

You're lucky I even noticed you replied. Besides, I have ESP, so I know what you were going to say. And yes, I remember Chino being a farming community. I've forgotten so much over the years--maybe on purpose!

reply by solitaire on July 5, 2008 7:40 AM ()

comment by hayduke on July 1, 2008 9:22 AM ()

Something to brag about in my old age! I didn't do it often, that's for sure. I still carry my bag on occasion. I never ride a cart, but use a pull cart.

reply by solitaire on July 1, 2008 12:57 PM ()

comment by troutbend on June 30, 2008 4:59 PM ()

Excuses, excuses! Golf's not for everyone--and it's a good thing. I hate crowded courses.

reply by solitaire on July 1, 2008 12:54 PM ()

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing.

comment by shesaidwhat on June 30, 2008 11:58 AM ()

I don't know about a "great" story, but thanks anyway.

reply by solitaire on July 1, 2008 12:52 PM ()

My golf skills are minus zero and I was too small to be a caddy
even if I had had the chance. But I can see the lure of working
outdoors and being exposed to the game and learning a lot. When
I was twelve I joined a horseback riding club offered by my high
school. It was a great experience. A couple of my friends
from that time went on to make a career out of it -- entering
competitions, riding to the hounds in England, etc.

comment by tealstar on June 30, 2008 4:34 AM ()

One never knows what youth activities can lead to. Unfortunately, many parents force their children into something they want--perhaps vicariously.

reply by solitaire on July 1, 2008 12:51 PM ()

It is probably why you are fit now. The body learns things early and keeps the lesson.

comment by clovis on June 28, 2008 8:28 PM ()

Remarkably, I weigh the same as I did back then, although some of the mass has shifted.

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 7:57 AM ()

comment by frogfenatic on June 28, 2008 3:42 PM ()

You're so right, Tanya. But at the time, I didn't think about that. I'm just glad my father pushed me out there. But please, don't associate me with Adam Sandler!

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 8:03 AM ()

Ted had the same experience. He rarely plays anymore but still loves it.

comment by elderjane on June 28, 2008 1:46 PM ()

It's an expensive sport, but the benefits outweigh the expense.

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 8:00 AM ()

Caddies rock!!

comment by marta on June 28, 2008 10:52 AM ()

Back in '61, I didn't know about Evans scholarships. Otherwise, I would have applied. And I sure didn't know you had a working relationship with the program! I'm impressed. Even more impressed to discover your golfing ability!

reply by solitaire on July 1, 2008 12:47 PM ()

Caddy programs are out there, but they are expensive to run, so unfortunately found mostly at private golf clubs these days. I am a big supporter of the Evans Scholars Foundation of the Western Golf Association, the premier caddy development program in the U.S. with the best caddies with the best grades receiving college scholarships. I had a number of awesome caddies during my scratch amateur golf player heydays. I can think of five who became Evans Scholars. Awesome young men and women!

reply by marta on June 29, 2008 8:25 AM ()

Thanks, I think. And you know, I've requested a caddy at the course I play, but nobody does that anymore. I'd like to offer the experience to some young lad, eager to make five bucks or so.

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 8:07 AM ()

I can just picture that 16 year old boy beating them at their game!

comment by dragonflyby on June 28, 2008 9:54 AM ()

Yeah, I won the club championship at age 17 beating all those "old men"! Quite a thrill.

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 8:11 AM ()

comment by looserobes on June 28, 2008 7:11 AM ()

Probably not many courses out where you live anyway. Twain it was.

reply by solitaire on June 29, 2008 7:55 AM ()