Mark’s Kaddy Korner

Outback Steakhouse Pro-am Championship

It’s been over twenty years since I met Bill Fennel at the Quad Cities Open. During the pro-am he mentioned his cabin in Lutz, Fl north of Tampa and said if I was ever in the area it was all mine. I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into because that little cabin has been my home around Tampa ever since and I sure do appreciate it. In fact, it seems like all my tour friendships have started that way and I value every one of them. Hanging out with a few friends at a tour stop helps ease the grind and makes each stop a bit homey.

Masters Week – Dad’s Surgery

I finished last week’s Kaddy Korner just before the bottom dropped out of my Ft. Myers flight. My Ginger ale hit the ceiling landing in my lap and the guy sitting behind me asked if his computer hit me in the back of my head, it was also airborne. Next to an emergency landing in San Diego early in my career this was the worst flight experience of my life. As I walked off the plane I thanked the pilot for the exciting ride and the flight attendant said, “It was only a 150 foot drop, you don’t get that at Disneyworld.”

Master’s Predictions

There are only three first time winners in Masters history and the first two don’t count, Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen in 1934 and 35. Fuzzy won his first time around but other than that you need experience, local knowledge, patience and maybe an Augusta caddy, they know the course better than anyone except maybe Jack. Zach Johnson won his Green Jacket and laid up on every par five; try to get Phil to follow that strategy. What I’m trying to say, Augusta really favors no particular golfer except maybe the long knocker and the great putter but don’t they usually do well at any event.

Gulf Coast Resort Classic, Biloxi, MS

Whirlwinds are normal traveling on tour but last week was borderline tornadic. After landing in Milwaukee Saturday evening, having dinner and drinks with Cassie and watching UCONN advance to the Final Four we had time for laundry, repacking and washing the car before heading for Biloxi, MS early Monday morning. The uneventful fifteen hour drive stirred memories while passing by the blooming clover fields and blossoming cottonwoods along I-55.

The Augustine blackjack dealers chased me from the tables about 4:00 a.m. and as I was driving back to my buddy Todd’s place the sky was gurgling above the mountains between Palm Springs and L. A. The clouds were swirling, lightning flashing and the L. A. area was experiencing the worst torrential downpour in a half century. Jimin hadn’t texted about Monday practice time, ahh, maybe a caddy holiday was on the horizon. I forgot, I’m working for a young Korean, there’s no such thing as a day off. She texted me at 7:30, wanting me there at 10 but I negotiated for 11, enough time for the two hour drive from the desert.

Founder’s Tournament – Phoenix

The desert trip wasn’t firmed up until Saturday evening in Newport Beach and I never talked with my new boss until I set foot on the JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort putting green Monday morning. Texting is all the Asian contingent relies on; talking on the phone is almost extinct. While I was earning my weekly percentage at the Palm Springs blackjack tables Sunday night Jimin was texting me my Monday morning schedule. She wasn’t playing but wanted me to work for her friend J. Y. something or other. We went nine holes and I still haven’t seen the cash yet for my efforts.

There was a large sun rising when I was crossing Alligator Alley early Tuesday heading for The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton. The new hip was ready, the rest of the body wasn’t quite in caddy shape yet, the Rendevous was making some strange noises but that bright sun was definitely a reflection of a new attitude and the great year on the horizon. I was definitely looking forward to the week, the year and walking courses without pain having fun again.

That's Me

It’s been a long while since I was able to warm up in Florida before the season started. Luckily we escaped the Midwest before the storm of the century hit and landed in Bonita Springs Monday night. Mom and Dad put up with me for the week, the Happy Valley pool was exactly what the doctor ordered to rehab the new hip plus the relaxing week gave me time to tie up all the loose ends before heading out on tour.