The luxury of playing a round
of golf with a caddie or forecaddie is something that most
golfers will never experience.
The PCA(Professional Caddies
Association)Worldwide.com is working to change that. The
goal of the PCA Worldwide is to bring back Caddies to
the game of golf
In the early beginning
of golf, caddies were men from hard backgrounds and limited
economic resources. Most of these men lived from hand-to-mouth.
They also had a sense of craft that was handed down through
generations. That's what separated them from someone who
just carried clubs or served as an attendant. They employed
knowledge of wind, ground, distance, and of how conditions
affect what route to take. They quickly learned the way
you hit the ball...and they would take you around the
golf course like a guide instead of some sort of packhorse.
Many clubs would also make use of a "Forecaddie". The
forecaddie was sent ahead to sight and spot the flight
of the ball.
Over the centuries the
duties of the professional TOUR caddie, as well as, the
duties and responsibilities of caddies and forecaddies
at the club level have changed. Today, the role of the
TOUR caddie has evolved into that of the player's partner
and right hand. As an important part of the team, caddies
can help a golfer in many ways. They help set the overall
game plan, and plan of attack to each hole. They help
manage the player's game, provide important knowledge
of exact distances to various golf course targets and
obstacles, give psychological support and steady a player
through the myriad of thoughts that can play in a golfer's
mind and create tension.
Today's tour caddie often
experiences golf and life experiences that many people
consider priceless. I would dare to say that Mike "Fluff"
Cowan, who has caddied for Tiger Woods and other tour
professionals wouldn't trade his life as a caddie for
anything.
Private and public/resort
golf facilities use caddies. Time has been kind to the
golfer. However, while there are still job opportunities
for elite caddies on the pro Tours, the club caddie has
all but vanished on the club level throughout North America.
Caddies employed for public play are rare indeed. Some
say most golfers don't like the idea of paying someone
a fair wage to caddie or forecaddie, and most would only
have or request a caddie as a once in a lifetime extravagance.
Throughout my career as
a golf professional I have met so many successful people
that have attributed their involvement in the game of
golf, whether from playing, caddying, or working, or merely
from association and the people they have met through
the game of golf, as an important factor in their success.
The opportunity to be a
caddie or forecaddie is a matter of choice. Golf is a
wonderful occupation. It is a people business, and the
people playing the game are, for the most part, seeking
fun and exercise, friendship, and learning wisdom for
a more rewarding and fulfilling life. Caddie programs
can teach the games core values of honesty, integrity,
sportsmanship, dedication, commitment, positive thinking,
relationship building, and respect for other people.
The PGA of America is dedicated
to promoting the enjoyment and involvement in the game
of golf and support programs that contribute to the growth
of the game. Non-golfers, or people new to the game interested
in attending or participating in a caddie apprenticeship
school such as one offered by the Professional Caddies
Association have a wonderful opportunity to learn and
become involved in the game. These self-study courses
are designed to educate participants about caddying and
course management; and to give a golfer a better understanding
of the game through the eyes of a caddie. The knowledge
you will gain from this, or similar programs may enable
you to become a caddie on any tour, or qualify you to
become a caddie or forecaddie at a golf facility near
your home, or assist you in becoming more prepared in
taking up or playing the game yourself.
Various stages of the
program cover such topics as:
1. History and perspective
of the game
2. Introduction to caddying
3. Team Work
4. Forecaddying
5. Responsibilities on the
course
6. Yardage book, pin sheets
and signals
7. Course management & maintenance
8. Rules of golf
9. Golf terms
10. Health and nutrition
Caddies and forecaddies
can improve the quality of a golf experience, speed up
play, provide encouragement and share in the excitement
of a great shot or stroke of good fortune, and add to
the endless fascination and quality of life that the game
of golf offers. Golf is a game that once we experience
it, most of us are hooked on it and enslaved to it forever.
I encourage golfers and especially junior golfers interested
in more information on caddie programs or opportunities
to contact
The Professional Caddies
Association at:
PCA Worldwide.Com 770 Greens
Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789 e-mail: PCA@pcaworldwide.com
phone: (407) 629-4500 fax: (407) 647-8686 or contact:
Norm Blandel, PGA Master
Professional Director of Golf The Dragon at Gold Mountain,
PO Box 880, Graeagle, CA 96103 phone: 1-800-446-5368 or
530 832-0880 e-mail: dragongf@psln.com or on the web:
www.dragongolf.com.
I look forward to sharing
more information on our involvement in offering Caddie
Apprentice and Certification programs at The Dragon at
Gold Mountain and taking part in preserving the tradition
of the game, as we move toward the scheduled opening of
our new resort golf course in the summer of 2000.
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