Mark’s Kaddy Korner

Hey all,

Bittersweet, that’s all there is to say about last week; home without a job but it’s really not home any more. Shawn and Cindy were gracious; they let me and Alaskan Dave crash at their place for the week while we searched for work. It was nice, I guess, seeing some old friends, my dog Zach, but I was ready to get out of their Tuesday after a futile job search. On Monday I thought my prospects were good but Tuesday morning there was large gathering of experienced caddies in the parking lot.

Hey all,

Sorry about last week, there was nothing to write about, long travel days, and technical difficulties. This week started on top of Brockway Mountain in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the only place in the area my phone worked. I got a call from Leah Wigger, an LPGA rookie, she needed a caddy and wanted to know if I was interested. My brother and his friend, Steve “Rubble” Shellard, were trying to line me up with Se Ri Pak and I was waiting for her call, but crippled old caddies can’t be choosers on a Sunday before the tournament. I told her I’d be there Tuesday morning and hit the road early Monday.

You don’t get calls very often to work for legends. My buddy Todd called the week before the Senior PGA and asked if I’d like to work for Tom Watson. Neil Oxman, Ox, Tom’s odd year caddy had some health issues and couldn’t make it so Tom needed a caddy for the week. It wasn’t a done deal; Tom asked for a few names and said he would make the call. My name was in the hat; I waited impatiently for a few days then got the call.

First Round Senior PGA Championship

We’ve been around the course twice and feel like we’re ready. The mental preparation is over now it’s time to go out and play. I showed up at the course about 6:30 for our 8:20 time but didn’t see Tom till about forty-five minutes before tee time. Every player has his routine and Tom does a lot of stretching in the fitness trailer before hitting balls. I did all my prep work and waited on the practice tee for about a half hour. There were a lot of questions about Ox’s health, Tom’s regular caddy, and few questions about how I got the job. Players and caddies always like to know what’s going on.

Senior PGA Championship – Canterbury CC

Sorry, this story should have started a few days ago but the body has been aching and I’ve spent all my time tending to my right hip, left knee, and resting as much as possible. Sitting in a chair and typing was pretty painful, I was propped up in bed with ice packs and heating pads attached to most of my lower body. The Aleve and ibuprofen are in the candy dish next to the bed; I’ve been munching them by the handful.

Going to Work for Tom Watson

Stoic is the first word that came to my mind. Tom Watson is a stoic champion. Eight Majors that is all you have to say. In 1992 I was standing on the eighth green at Pebble Beach and looked towards the cliff. Tom was standing at the edge surveying his domain and the sun was setting behind him, very stoic. The straw hat and hands on hips created an awesome memory, now I get to work for him, what an experience.

Click Here!How to break 80!!!!

Everybody told me to go to the Post Office, someone would help me with accomadations. My duffel bag was slung over my shoulder and I went searching for the bar. Usually, at every tournament site there is a caddy bar. You can find your buddies and pick their brain, what’s left of it, about a cheap motel, restaraunt, or general knowledge about the area. I wasn’t expecting this treatment, but it sure made my week easier.