32 | June 2017 #juniorgolfmag J ust like Batman had Robin, and Han Solo had Chewbacca, some of the greatest names in golf owe much of their success to their loyal, indispensable sidekicks. When you think of Phil Mickelson, the name of caddie Bones Mackay is close by in your mind. The same is true of the association between Tiger Woods, or now Adam Scott, and Steve Williams. Older golf fans will remember Jack Nicklaus being matched, stride for stride, up the 18th fairway by caddie Angelo Argea, his trademark white mop of hair giving him added distinction. Since 1682, when Andrew Dickson carried clubs for the Duke of York in a match play event, caddies have played crucial roles in the game of golf. SKILLS THATTRANSCEND THE OBVIOUS Today, kids continue to learn the caddie trade, whether free-lancing in the summer to earn some extra spending money, helping out a friend or a sibling at a tournament or taking formal instruction at various schools and camps. It makes sense because young caddies get the opportunity to work in a great environment, improve their knowledge about the rules and etiquette of the game, enjoy outdoor exercise and even earn scholarships. The Western Golf Association (WGA), which organizes the BMW Championship PGA Tour event in Lake Forest, Illinois, has been running the Evans Scholars Foundation (EFS) since 1930. Started by famed golfer Chick Evans Jr., the organization provides four-year college scholarships to teenage caddies in need of financial aid. Available to both male and female high school students, the program award- ed over 250 scholarships to caddie applicants last year. Though the great majority of recipients pursue other fields GAZING FROM THE GALLERY of study in college, they learn much about character, disci- pline and teamwork through their work as caddies. And how about this — the four-year graduation rate for these young scholars is more than 90%! A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER CAMP Sankaty Head Golf Club, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, isn’t just a charming old links course with a working light- house and a membership roster that’s a virtual “Who’s Who” of American business. It’s also home to one of the few remaining caddie camps in the nation. Every June, ap- proximately 60 young boys, from 13 to 19, come to Camp Sankaty Head from all over the world to learn how to rake bunkers, mark balls and towel off dirty club heads. Rising at 7 a.m. every morning, they don their gray T-shirts, khaki shorts and red caps, then get to work with a military-like routine. More than just instruction in the caddie art, how- ever, the camp also teaches kids how to mature through other golf and non-golf activities and tasks. Each student caddies six days a week and can also play the 6,670-yard course, ranked as one of the Top 100 pre-1960 layouts in the nation. Most of the campers are avid golfers, and many of them re- turn for several summers in a row. So the few spots that are open each season are in great demand, especially consid- ering that a young caddie at Camp Sankaty Head can earn anywhere from $ 3,500 to $ 8,000 or more. TESTING THE WATERS — AND THE GREENS Not everyone has the opportunity for formal caddie training and, besides, many young golf fanatics would rather prac- tice fading a 5-wood or playing a low chip shot than learning how to lug a 40-pound bag. But those who simply love the idea of being on the golf course and need some extra money for their greens fees might want to consider a part-time caddie gig. Electric carts have replaced caddies on many golf courses, but there are still those that adhere to this timeless tra- dition. This is where a little bit of ingenuity and industrial strength sleuthing can come in handy. Take a day to call around to the various golf clubs in your area to see if they’re hiring caddies for the summer. See which one is a good fit for you and try to put together a workable schedule. You’ll find that many clubs allow their caddies to play the course, too, especially on Mondays. Remember, also, that the better you know the course, the more valuable you will be to your golfing client. So study it well and use this as a special opportunity to sharpen your knowledge of the rules. Whether you choose to spend your off-time earning some extra cash this way, or you’d rather flip burgers, even out your tan at the beach or get in some extra practice time on the range, it’s important to understand the value of the cad- die’s role. Like everything in golf, there’s more than meets the eye. If you are fortunate enough to play golf competi- tively at the high amateur or professional level, you will un- derstand that the person standing next to you, testing the wind with a blade of grass, is more than just a bag carrier. He — or she — is your co-pilot, your tactician, your muse, yourconfidante.And on a lonely golfcourse, where one shot could make or break your tournament, that’s a good friend to have. Today, kids continue to learn the caddie trade, whether free-lancing in the summer to earn some extra spending money, helping out a friend or a sibling at a tournament or taking formal instruction at various schools and camps. It makes sense because young caddies get the opportunity to work in a great environment, improve their knowledge about the rules and etiquette of the game, enjoy outdoor exercise and even earn scholarships. Life from the Other Side of the Bag BY RANDY SCHULTZ , SENIOR EDITOR