Mark’s Kaddy Korner

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.

I never knew the Czar of CBS golf personally but had contact with the Ayatollah and the CBS golf crew over the years, especially my formative caddy days in the late 80s. The CBS compound was a haven for wayward, out-of-work, missed-the-cut, sometimes hung-over caddies looking for a couple of day’s work, a place to pass the time between bar stools or the next tournament, plus there was a delicious catered lunch every day. CBS knew how to televise golf and they took very good care of their crew, friends, PGA Tour staff and caddies. It was one of the few places on tour we actually garnered a bit of respect, a very small bit.

 

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.

If you’re going 36 on Sunday a caddy can’t pick a better track than Waialae CC. It’s short, flat, has a temperate climate and the scenery ain’t bad next to the ropes, up the mountain slopes, and along the shore. If you pay attention to the wind, grain on the greens, nibble on a couple of PB&J sandwiches along with some fruit and suck down a few bottles of H2O you should be okay.

While my quiche was finishing up in the oven, yes real old caddies eat quiche, I checked emails and received a quick note from Sandy, Tom Kite’s caddy. The Champions Tour just released the following statement:

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Champions Tour Q-School, TPC at Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL

Driving across Alligator Alley Saturday morning I was thinking about the 7 or 8 Q-Schools I’ve attended over the years and only successfully graduated from one. There were three final stages on the PGA Tour, two on the Champions Tour, and a few second stage visits. I wouldn’t consider myself a grizzled vet at these things but seen enough to know no one really wants to be here. They are a necessary evil for struggling tour pros and a glimmer of hope for club professionals and low handicap amateurs.

Constellation Energy Championship

Our last major, the Constellation Energy Championship at the TPC at Avenel in Potomoc, MD started out cold, rainy and miserable Monday. I was walking the Jim Hardy redesigned course, adding sprinkler heads to my yardage book because the course was playing long, wet, and difficult. My first thought was a few of the old boys may not finish this week, my second was would I? My last trip here was 1991 and I forgot how hilly the course was, it was going to be a long week.

Ensure Classic at Rock Barn CC & Spa – Hickory, NC

Heading west on I-40 from Cary, NC John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” droned in my head. Hickory, NC is the smallest town supporting a Champions Tour event but the gallery lining the fairways is deeper than L.A., New York, Chicago or any other metropolitan tournament. The fans are supportive, appreciative, and cordial and have more fun during their tournament week than any other tour stop. Driving into town signs are everywhere, “Welcome Champions Tour Players and Caddies.”

Kaddy Korner – Week Off – Random Golf Thoughts

My $125 Sunday redeye flight from San Jose to Milwaukee stopped in Atlanta and Cincinnati but I was sitting in Wrigley Field at the start of the third inning Monday afternoon. Moira Dunne was calling and texting me needing a caddy in NW Arkansas P&G Classic but I priced myself out of the deal plus she needed someone there sooner than I could drive down. I spent the week visiting Mom and Dad in Havana attending my first Octoberfest in 37 years.

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