Caddies
- Peter Pierro
- May 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Introduction to Caddies
In the latest blog I informed you of my age and experiences. So in this blog and in many future blogs I will feature related historical references whenever it is appropriate to do so. Sometimes they will be based on personal experience or extensive time spent watching TV (sometimes seen only in black and white).
In the World of Sports, the job of the caddie is unique. In no other sport or major competition are the competitors allowed to have a person with them to assist, advise, inform, comfort, or in any way help them to improve their performance.
What is a Caddie (Caddy)?
Dictionary Definition 2a: one who assists a golfer especially by carrying the clubs.
Origin of the word: In Scotland, 1681, the Duke of Albany had a cadet (student military officer) carry his golf clubs.
Tasks: Carrying the bag of clubs, raking the sand traps, replacing the divots, tending the flag, checking the wind, checking the distance to the flag, helping “read” the break in the green for the putter, calming down the distressed golfer, cleaning the ball on the green, etc., etc., etc.
Payments to Caddies: Professional golfers usually give 8 to 10 percent of their winnings to their caddies.
Scottie Scheffler and Teddy Scott
After the last put was sunk at the 2024 Masters Golf Tournament, there was an incident involving winner Scottie Scheffler and his caddie, Teddy Scott, that created a reaction by TV Commentator Jim Nantz and an article by Josh Berhow, Managing Editor, Golf.
I watched the incident and enjoyed reading the article. There was the usual family and friends greeting of the winner except for the absence of a major character; Scotties’s wife Meredith. She had made that victory walk with Scottie when he won the 2022 Masters. This year, we had been informed throughout the tournament that Meredith was back in Dallas, Texas, awaiting the birth of their first child. We also were informed by Scottie that if the baby arrived ahead of schedule, he would immediately leave the course and head home to be with her.
Meanwhile, Teddy Scott was enjoying his own greeting celebration unaware that his caddie honors were not finished. Scottie called him over and the two of them made the victory journey to the scoring table to make the victory official and correct. TV Commentator ”Jim Nantz noted.“Scottie doesn’t want to make the walk alone this time.” “That was great of him. What a gesture.“
I think that this event has added a new name to the list of the best caddies. I’m going to give you my list of favorite caddies; the ones I have seen in person or on TV. I will do this in a kind of chronological order.
Pappy
William (Pappy) Stokes worked for the Augusta National Golf Club. During his time, the club furnished the caddies rather than the golfers having their own caddies. Pappy carried the bags of five Masters Tournament winners won by four different players; Henry Picard, 1938; Claude Harmon, 1948; Ben Hogan, 1951 and 1953; and Jack Burke, Jr. 1956.
Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery - James “Tip” Anderson
Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery was an Augusta National Golf Club caddy. He was Arnold Palmer’s caddy for all four of his Masters Tournament wins; 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964.
Palmer’s British Open caddie James Anderson, better known as "Tip," was hired to work for him in the 1960 Open at St. Andrews, Tip helped Palmer win the ’61 Open at Royal Birkdale, the ’62 Open at Royal Troon and caddied for him in Opens until 1990.
Fanny Sunesson
Fanny Sunesson was Sir Nick Faldo's caddie during two Masters, 2 British Opens and 16 other tournaments. She grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden and got her start on the European Tour. Fanny became the first female caddie for a major championship during her nine-year career with Faldo. Sunesson, 57, retired in 2012 and does some golf commentating work for Swedish TV these days.
Angelo Argea and Willie Peterson
Angelo Argea was always easy to spot with his Afro hairstyle. He first caddied for Jack Nicklaus in the 1963 Palm Springs Classic and was there for 44 of Jack’s wins over the next two decades. Angelo didn’t do much for Nicklaus on the course other than carry the bag, clean the clubs and keep fans in line, but that was all the help Nicklaus wanted.
Willie Peterson was the caddie who leaped into the air when Nicklaus made that great putt across the 16th green on Sunday in the final day of the 1975 Masters. He was The Bear’s caddie for five of his six Masters wins.
Herman
Herman Mitchell was Lee Trevino's caddie for 19 years and all six of Trevino’s major championships. According to Herman “SuperMex” Trevino treated him more like a brother than a caddie . He had weight-control issues and heart problems and had to quit caddying in his mid-‘90s. Trevino made sure Herman was covered financially until his ex-caddie’s death in 2004.
Alfie Fyles and Bruce Edwards
Alfie Fyles was Tom Watson’s caddie in England, helping win the Open Championship five times.. At the 1977 Open at Turnberry, in the battle with Nicklaus, Watson wanted to hit his 6-iron to the final green. Fyles insisted that he hit his 7-iron. Watson hit that iron within two feet of the pin.
Bruce Edwards was the longtime stateside caddie for Watson. Bruce was on his bag from 1973 through until he became Greg Norman’s caddie in 1989. They reunited from 1992 until 2003 when Edwards was diagnosed with ALS. He died of the disease in 2004 at the age of 49.
Steve Williams and Joey LaCava
Steve Williams is a native of New Zealand. He may be the most well known caddie of them all because of his relationship with Tiger Woods. He was on Tiger’s bag during his prime years beginning in 1999 while Tiger was winning 13 majors and a lot of PGA and English tournaments. Along with his work on the bag, Steve was diligent in keeping his player safe from the crowds.
In 2011, Williams went to work with Adam Scott and joined him in winning the 2013 Masters together - giving him a total of 14 toting bags at major Championship wins.
"Joey" LaCava carried the bags for Fred Couples when he won the 1992 Masters. Joey had a way of helping his golfers stay calm and steady - a good companion for the easy going Couples. When Tiger Woods and Steve Williams parted in 2011, Joey replaced him and has been very helpful in Tiger’s return, especially at Tiger’s win at the 2019 Masters - his 15th Major’s win.
Terry McNamara
Terry McNamara has been the caddie for one of the greatest players in LPGA history, Annika Sorenstam. Annika now has 72 tour wins - 10 majors, trailing only Kathy Whitworth with 98 tour wins - 6 majors and Mickey Wright with 90 wins - 13 majors. Annika had 48 of her wins from 2000 to 2005 while Terry was her caddie. She and Babe Zaharias are the only women who have played in a men's PGA Tour event. She is also the only female player to shoot a 59 stroke round.
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