Tour Caddie for a Day – A Truly Remarkable Experience

Written by:	12:54 PM PST - 4/23/2009
Photography by:	Previous Photo  |  Next Photo

This past year our CEO Anthony Glover was graciously invited by the Champions Tour to the Charles Schwab Cup Caddy Experience. We tagged along to find out what it's like to be an insider at this event and the perks that go along with being a "tour caddy" for a day.

Golf and Lifestyle: The night before the event you were invited to the "Pairings Party.” Tell us a little bit about that experience?
Anthony Glover: This party was outrageous! Leon Gilmore, who is the Executive Director, and his staff did a phenomenal job. I can't begin to explain how first class and intense this party is. G&L: When you say first class and intense... What do you mean?

AG: Think of the most extravagant wedding you have ever been invited to and multiply that by five. There was not one single corner cut or expense compromised. It was a beautiful, well-planned event.

The intensity of the evening escalates during the player draw. The player draw portion of the evening is when your team participates in a non-bias raffle. When your name is called, you have only sixty seconds to choose your player. This will be the guy that you get to play with the next day. The good thing about this event is that you're going to get one of the best players of the year - guaranteed. No other tournament can offer that.

G&L: Did you get to interact with any of the players?
AG: Absolutely! The Champion's Tour players are fantastic. The fans drive the Champions Tour and the players understand that in the end of the day without the fans attendance there is no tour. They are very respectful and were beyond gracious with their time that evening. The corporate dollars primarily go to charity with the Charles Schwab Cup returning nearly 2 million dollars back to the local community.

G&L: Is this when you found out whom you would be caddying for?
AG: Yes, Leon had informed me about half way through the event that I would be caddying for Scott Simpson. I was thrilled at this selection because Mr. Simpson is a fantastic player and very well known for his calm and welcoming demeanor.

G&L: Were you able to sleep the night before or were you up all night nervously thinking about caddying for a US Open Champion?
AG: I can't lie! I was definitely a little nervous. Not as nervous as the amateurs playing with him, but definitely nervous. That all left the minute I met Scott and his full-time caddy Doug. Both of them made me feel very comfortable and welcome.

G&L: So you head to the first tee and you're thinking, "Is this really happening?" What is one thing that is making you nervous?
AG: I wasn't too nervous about making a mistake. I have played on mini tours and experienced the pressure a player goes through. I quickly realized that it's nice to be on the other side of the partnership. I will say that I was slightly nervous about not knowing his tendencies. Does he like to interact or be silent? Will he get upset if I hand him his driver on the way to the next tee as opposed to waiting until we get there? Do I say nice shot? Those are the types of questions running through my head.

G&L: What was the first thing you noticed that made you realize that you were about to go in between the ropes on a major champion's bag?
AG: Without a doubt the number one thing, no hesitation in my answer, SHORT GAME. These players are so good at getting up and down, it's ridiculous. I think I counted eleven shots that Scott had from within a hundred yards. He converted 11/11 and I was floored. I've been around some phenomenal players and attended numerous professional events including a US Open and always the level of play from a hundred yards and in is outrageous. There is such a difference from watching it on the outside of the ropes or on TV as opposed to being on the bag.

G&L: In one word describe what separates tour players from the rest of us:
AG: Patience
G&L: Please explain:
AG: I'll give you a great example. On fifteen, one of the toughest holes on the course (436 yard dog-leg right), Scott pulled his approach shot into some deep, deep rough. My initial thought was "uh oh!" As we walked up to his ball, he acted as though he had just hit that shot to 3 feet. As we approached the ball we realized that he had a downhill lie in 5 inches of rough and that he had short sided himself. It was about 12 yards total from his ball to the pin. Not once did he show any hesitation in his decision making nor did he look back on his last shot. He went through the exact same pre-shot routine that he had been doing all day and executed the flop shot to within 2 feet, tapped the ball in for par and moved on. That's patience when you're playing for a living!

G&L: Did it make you rethink your game and where you might need improvement?
AG: I'm always looking for ways to improve my game and this was definitely a great experience. I realized that I should redistribute my practice time to become a better player. Most amateurs can hit the ball two hundred and seventy five yards and split a fairway, but a really good player has fine-tuned their game from a hundred yards and in.

G&L: What advice would you give the average player about their practice routine after this experience?
AG: Take your driver and 3 wood to the range every third time you go. Make sure that eighty percent of the balls you hit are with a 9 iron down to a wedge. If you have one hour to practice, spend at least thirty minutes of that on the practice green.

G&L: What's the best tip, if any, that Scott Simpson gave you?
AG: I'm not sure if it was a tip or not, but I will always remember one thing he said over anything else. After Scott hit his approach shot from 178 yards to within 12 feet on number 6, he asked me if he could have his putter. I must admit I was a little shocked that he wanted it now instead of when we got to the green. Apparently he read the look of confusion on my face and he very calmly said, "There's nothing better than walking up a fairway with your putter." This line I will repeat time and time again in my life.

G&L: In summary, how would you describe your overall experience?
AG: One word, grateful. I am truly grateful for the experience that Leon extended my way and for the opportunity to do something that very few people will ever have the chance to do. And last, but not least, grateful for the Champions Tour to provide nearly 2 million dollars back into the local community- that is pretty amazing!