2020-05-01_Golf_Digest

16 golf digest | issue 4. 2020

I

’ve been at augusta national for years, but every day feels

like my first. I imagine it’s how a pilot feels ascending into the sky,

or when a skipper wakes up surrounded by the blue unknown.

Some views never get old.

Of course, we’re working, not playing. No Magnolia Lane for us; we enter

through a service road. Don’t get me wrong—we’re treated well. The club

built us a caddie house not long ago, which has a TV room, computers, even

a chef. They let us play the course the day before it closes for the season in

May. And because a member, their family or a guest has to be accompanied

by staff (which a majority of the time means us) anytime they’re on proper-

ty—a round, a casual walk, fishing in Ike’s Pond—we have more juice than

you’d think. Yet there is a hierarchy. We know where we stand.

Our mission is simple: This is the most special place on earth for golfers,

and we have to deliver that world-class experience. Admittedly a high bar.

But aside from a handful of events, most rounds involve a member entertain-

ing friends or business associates. That means we’re not just “on” as staff to a

member, but as an extension of that member to their guests. If you don’t un-

derstand the difference, well, there’s a reason only 7 percent of caddie appli-

cants get hired here. Some guys have had to go through five to 10 interviews.

There are members who have their personal caddies, but most of our

assignments arrive via lottery in the morning. The National is a no-cash

Undercover Caddie

What it’s like at

Augusta National

when the Masters

isn’t in town