Fostering the Caddie-Golfer Relationship

The birdie putt rolls and rolls for about 15 feet and eventually tumbles into the cup. It is quickly followed by the shooting motion children make with their thumb and pointer finger, capping the ball into the hole, each of the three imaginary rounds in sync with a verbal “bang!” It was hole No. 15 and the first birdie of the day but the same reaction would come on any hole.

The members at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club know this story. So do many of the senior PGA professionals in Wisconsin. Peter Mogg, head pro at Horseshoe Bay, is a bit entertaining.

I stand to the side of Mogg and we match knuckles in a congratulatory explosion. A 51-year-old man is acting like he is 15 and all I can do is smile. I’ve forgotten that I’m on duty as his caddie at the Wisconsin State Open, held Aug. 19 – 21 at Tuckaway Country Club in Franklin.

I’m amused by the antics, but never surprised, because I know Mogg pretty well, well enough to caddie for him during one of the most important weeks of his summer.

Pete hits the shots. I carry the bag, pull the clubs, chase after shredded divots, rake the bunkers, pull the pin, etc. I hope you can see that one of us has the better gig; however, I wouldn’t trade my half of the sometimes-successful equation for anything. That’s because caddying is one of my favorite things to do on the golf course.

On the outset, it could never seem that way. Lugging a bag of metal up and down glaciated landscape while your buddy gets to play golf. Sweet deal, right? Actually, it is. The deed is much more significant than following your golfer like a loyal puppy.

That buddy of yours is battling par and you get to help him or her in that struggle. Each club that is pulled comes prepped with advice, encouragement, trust and “golferly” guidance. Hopefully the pair can combine to beat par and any other opponents along the way.

There is no greater relationship on the golf course (except for maybe the bond between golfer and the club they’re swinging). The goals of the caddie replicate that of the golfer. A birdie is beautiful, a par is good and fine, and a bogey serves as motivation for the next shot.

When on the same page, the caddie-golfer relationship can best any friendship; when it serves up success it can also help monetarily. Regardless, it’s a win-win connection. The golfer is put at ease in the most nerve-wracking moments with a pal along side. The caddie gets a point-blank view of how golf is supposed to be played.

Sometimes the worst part is being forced to walk off the 18th green, even if that 15-year-old in a 51-year-old body would shoot the worst round of his life.

After about four holes, I’m convinced I hate it. Rest assured, after 18 holes, I know I love it. I’ll bet from my words you would have never thought we missed the cut.