Mach2
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2015
- Messages
- 3,325
- Reaction score
- 1,129
- Location
- Henderson, almost Las Vegas
- Handicap
- USGA 13.7
I've been lucky enough to have caddied in 2 Pro Tournaments
First one was 1968, the Hawaiian Open at Waialae Country Club. Back in those days very few, if any, caddies flew over to Oahu to caddie so caddies were local folks. I was 6 years into my Navy career and stationed at Barbers Point Naval Air Station. The local paper asked for volunteers to caddie so I took 6 days leave and signed up. Tuesday afternoon I showed up and was given a number, 39. Everyone that signed up to caddie have their last name alphabetized and given a number. When the Pro's started to arrive at the Pro Shop they reached into a large brandy sniffer and picked a piece of paper with a number on it to have a caddie. I heard "will number 39 come to the Pro Shop". Hot Dam, I got a job. When I reached the front door I saw a Pro and a HUGE white golf bay with red trim and Wilson Staff on the side of it. Looked like a 55 gallon drim it was so big. Then I saw "Rod Funseth" on the bag. Rod reached out for a handshake and introduced himself and I responded. He went to the 10th tee to play the back nine and I grabbed that big bag and almost tore my shoulder up. He apologized for the weight and said when we get through with the nine holes, he'll put the 3 pair of shoes, 4 dozen Titleist balls, rain gear, about 15 FootJoy gloves in his locker and it won't be so heavy. After the nine holes we went to the locker room and he took the bag and came out a few minutes later and said the Pro Am tomorrow tee's off at 9:00 and be here by 8:00. He told me to not worry about yardages since he played the Hawaiian Open every year and was good. Checking on Rod Funseth Tuesday evening when I got home I found out he was 2nd on the Driver list for 1967 behind only Jack Nicklaus, and man he could putt. Pro Am was enjoyable and by then I told him I was in the Navy and was a 14 handicap, but taking lessons at the base Golf Course with the Pro there, Hank Rente. When we were done with the Pro Am he said to follow him to the locker room so I'd know our tee time Thursday and who we would be playing with. He also said he hoped it wasn't with Arnold Palmer and of course I asked why. He said that Arnie's Army was loud, applauded way too long and generally made it hard for the other 2 Pro's in his group to concentrate. A few minutes later he came out and said we'd be playing with Gardner Dickinson and ARNOLD PALMER. I didn't hardly sleep that night. Next morning we tee's off and about the 6th hole, as I was carrying Rod's bag down the fairway, I felt a hand on my right shoulder and heard "Hello Son, Rod tells me you're in the Navy and have a 14 handicap, wish I had you in my Pro Am group yesterday." I was speechless, all I could utter was humma humma.............. I still can't believe I got to walk inside the ropes, and in the fairways, with ARNOLD PALMER. He was still smoking like a steam locomotive and hitching up his pants before after each shot. After 2 days Rod was 8 under and in 3rd place. Joe Dey, the PGA Director (I think that was his job) gave Rod a telegraph. It said that Rod's Father had passed away. Rod thought about leaving Hawaii and going home but then realized the funeral wouldn't be till mid week the following week and decided to stay the weekend. He still hit the ball great but his putting was no where near as sharp as it had been Thursday and Friday naturally. He ended up winning $1000, gave me a hun, all his FJ gloves that he wore for only 9 holes and all the Titleist balls he had played. Just a wonderful experience.
Second one was 1995 for the Hogan Tour, I think that's what it was called then, just west of St. Louis, MO. I took a week off from my job and checked in Monday. Tuesday morning I got a call that I had a caddie job. Got to the course, I think it was Lake Forrest Golf and Country Club, and was introduced to my guy..........Damon Green. I had heard of him and was most impressed with his friendship and character. He used the soon to be released Ping Great Big Berth. That thing was HUGE. He made the cut and we played the 4 days. He gave me $140 and alot of golf game help.
Both wonderful experiences.
Late in 2014 I decided to write Mr. Palmer a letter telling him about my great 1968 Hawaiian Open experience with Rod and him for the 1st two day. I received this letter from Mr. Palmer the second week of 2014;
First one was 1968, the Hawaiian Open at Waialae Country Club. Back in those days very few, if any, caddies flew over to Oahu to caddie so caddies were local folks. I was 6 years into my Navy career and stationed at Barbers Point Naval Air Station. The local paper asked for volunteers to caddie so I took 6 days leave and signed up. Tuesday afternoon I showed up and was given a number, 39. Everyone that signed up to caddie have their last name alphabetized and given a number. When the Pro's started to arrive at the Pro Shop they reached into a large brandy sniffer and picked a piece of paper with a number on it to have a caddie. I heard "will number 39 come to the Pro Shop". Hot Dam, I got a job. When I reached the front door I saw a Pro and a HUGE white golf bay with red trim and Wilson Staff on the side of it. Looked like a 55 gallon drim it was so big. Then I saw "Rod Funseth" on the bag. Rod reached out for a handshake and introduced himself and I responded. He went to the 10th tee to play the back nine and I grabbed that big bag and almost tore my shoulder up. He apologized for the weight and said when we get through with the nine holes, he'll put the 3 pair of shoes, 4 dozen Titleist balls, rain gear, about 15 FootJoy gloves in his locker and it won't be so heavy. After the nine holes we went to the locker room and he took the bag and came out a few minutes later and said the Pro Am tomorrow tee's off at 9:00 and be here by 8:00. He told me to not worry about yardages since he played the Hawaiian Open every year and was good. Checking on Rod Funseth Tuesday evening when I got home I found out he was 2nd on the Driver list for 1967 behind only Jack Nicklaus, and man he could putt. Pro Am was enjoyable and by then I told him I was in the Navy and was a 14 handicap, but taking lessons at the base Golf Course with the Pro there, Hank Rente. When we were done with the Pro Am he said to follow him to the locker room so I'd know our tee time Thursday and who we would be playing with. He also said he hoped it wasn't with Arnold Palmer and of course I asked why. He said that Arnie's Army was loud, applauded way too long and generally made it hard for the other 2 Pro's in his group to concentrate. A few minutes later he came out and said we'd be playing with Gardner Dickinson and ARNOLD PALMER. I didn't hardly sleep that night. Next morning we tee's off and about the 6th hole, as I was carrying Rod's bag down the fairway, I felt a hand on my right shoulder and heard "Hello Son, Rod tells me you're in the Navy and have a 14 handicap, wish I had you in my Pro Am group yesterday." I was speechless, all I could utter was humma humma.............. I still can't believe I got to walk inside the ropes, and in the fairways, with ARNOLD PALMER. He was still smoking like a steam locomotive and hitching up his pants before after each shot. After 2 days Rod was 8 under and in 3rd place. Joe Dey, the PGA Director (I think that was his job) gave Rod a telegraph. It said that Rod's Father had passed away. Rod thought about leaving Hawaii and going home but then realized the funeral wouldn't be till mid week the following week and decided to stay the weekend. He still hit the ball great but his putting was no where near as sharp as it had been Thursday and Friday naturally. He ended up winning $1000, gave me a hun, all his FJ gloves that he wore for only 9 holes and all the Titleist balls he had played. Just a wonderful experience.
Second one was 1995 for the Hogan Tour, I think that's what it was called then, just west of St. Louis, MO. I took a week off from my job and checked in Monday. Tuesday morning I got a call that I had a caddie job. Got to the course, I think it was Lake Forrest Golf and Country Club, and was introduced to my guy..........Damon Green. I had heard of him and was most impressed with his friendship and character. He used the soon to be released Ping Great Big Berth. That thing was HUGE. He made the cut and we played the 4 days. He gave me $140 and alot of golf game help.
Both wonderful experiences.
Late in 2014 I decided to write Mr. Palmer a letter telling him about my great 1968 Hawaiian Open experience with Rod and him for the 1st two day. I received this letter from Mr. Palmer the second week of 2014;