The CaddyShack #1
A new written series for 2024, by Pat's Ten Pence.
In July 2023, I began sharing stories I had collected while caddying - the best job in the world.
As we kick off 2024, I intend to share a lot more, having carefully documented every golfer, caddie and local I encountered during an incredible summer season. Every Sunday I will post the next phase of the journey.
Maybe one day, these Sunday Substack entries will morph into a book. Maybe they already have. Depending on the success of these short extracts, you could be reading first editions of a future must-read for caddies everywhere. We must have a dream, after all.
Below is a version of the very first entry of my CaddyShack series, originally written on 11th July 2023. I am excited to release these stories, and I sincerely hope you enjoy.
Caddying is a fantastic job.
You know, provided you’re a bit twisted.
The basic criteria for the job are as follows: a good level of strength and fitness, a willingness to tolerate anything and everything, chief group photographer, tour guide, golf enthusiast, green-reader, bag-carrier, conversation starter, source of moral support and occasional therapist.
But there’s more to it than that.
I’ve been fortunate enough to begin - and enhance - my caddying career while stationed at two of the best golf courses in the world. Cabot Links & Cabot Cliffs – hugging the coastline of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada – currently sit comfortably in Golf Digest’s World Top 100 Courses. They’re at the very top (literally #1 & #2) in terms of Canada’s best.
During the 2023 summer season, I’ve walked the course with a vast range of clients. Senior managers, former athletes, current athletes, a nine-year-old, an eighty-two-year-old, golfers from Australia and Asia, Texas and Tennessee, California to Connecticut and New Zealand to New Orleans.
About the Author:
For context, I grew up playing links golf in England from the age of 12; got down to a respectable six handicap at age 17, then continued to follow the game as university degrees, rugby, a pandemic, and moving halfway across the world took priority.
Golfers of any ability can be great caddies - course knowledge supersedes golf knowledge – but it helps if you’re decent, especially when getting the client to trust you.
After graduating in 2021, I flew to Canada, before driving, skiing, golfing and rafting my way through British Columbia in 2022 and early 2023.
Then an almighty drive commenced; through a couple of Canadian provinces and twenty-two American States which allowed us to make it over to the miniscule town of Inverness, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
Encapsulating one summer season, written by yours truly: a self-appointed golf sicko whose golf knowledge, passion and understanding far supersedes my ability to play the game, making me the ideal coach, or in this case – caddie.
Over the next few weeks; I’ll be spilling some trade secrets and explaining what goes on in the 4-5 hours you spend with the golfer (or golfers) when caddying. In the interest of discretion, names will not be used.
At the end of each entry – I’ll share three memorable statistics in a random summer week – taken from my notes gathered while caddying.
Week Ending 4th June 2023
· Distance walked: 55 miles
· Putts into a bunker: 4 times (3 different guys)
· ‘So, are you from London?’: 6 times
Stay tuned, see you next Sunday.
Patrick Brennan
7th January 2024
P.S. The great Cindy Morgan passed away today. A fitting tribute to commence the CaddyShack entries. May her character give hope to caddies and golfers everywhere, and may she rest in peace.
Great idea Pat. Looking forward to more of these.
a brilliant idea...chronicle the humanity that ensues over the world's most diabolical game. I can't wait to read the future articles! Cutter