Mac, If I may call you that? Great cause supporting the National Amputee Golf Association! If you wish to IM me your contact details I'd be happy to discuss further thoughts on caddie golf and would also like to support that organiztion you just mentioned.
In fact, wouldn't it be cool to have some interested caddies partner, to assist amputees, enjoy a round on a caddie course now and again...complimentary of course..both the game AND the caddies would waive any fee! How cool and deeply rewarding would that be?!
See Mac, it is these very moments, when we are stimulated by other's thoughts, to contribute to betterment of the game, through shared experiences, that really stoke what I feel this wonderful site can deliver. If we constantly put the game FIRST, and what we can gain by sharing, the other benefits just seem to tumble from that. I've gotten so much from the game, and know I will NEVER be able to repay it to my total satisfaction...but I will die trying!
To your questions. I'll try to be brief, but it's hard because there are a lot of layers.The reality is, only a smaller number of total facilities, worldwide, will ever be able to support caddie golf. That said, is is no coincidence in my view, that nearly ALL of the truely, great golf courses, that have stood the test of time, have at some time in their history or evolution, caddie golf to thank in some way!
In my view, what the game stands to lose, by countinuing to be indifferent to properly "re-investing" in supporting caddie golf, are the
opportunities for those of modest means to earn while they learn about this awesome game AND the rich vein of differencemakers and champions that golf has mined for centuries from the caddie ranks.
No pullcart, GPS, skycaddy or buggie ever took a lesson, brought a friend into the game, joined a club, bought equipment, won a title, etc. You get the picture. Now, NONE of these things are the enemy of caddie golf...though many think they are. Rather, it is the greed of some in the industry, who see the game merely as a profit center AND the administrative bodies of the sport, that often derive revenue streams from sponsor arrangements with these entities...that have, in the main, turned their back on caddie golf.
Sadly, though many of these top American executives have caddie golf to thank for their lavish lifestyles and bloated salaries, because they don't see direct "benefits" to them or their organizations, choose to look the other way. Think about it, who brought the game to America? It was the Scottish, caddie-turned-professional, brought over in the hundreds during the late 1800s- early 1900 hundreds, that taught the game to us. The first true professionals were mainly caddies. Those at the top have forgotten their own sport's history!
Organizations such as: the Midwest and beyond-Evans Scholars, Golf Association of Philadelphia- J. Wood Platt Scholarship Trust (of which I am a grateful and proud alum) and Massachusetts- Francis Ouimet ScholarshipFund are the three most robust. There are others that operate well on a smaller level. All do a wonderful job....on a REGIONAL level. What I believe is needed, to get caddie golf stabilized, sustained and ultimately strengthened, is something more cohesive...integrating a better support structure for caddie golf, while having the partners retain their individual control. Is that so difficult? I think not. There just hasn't been a "coalition of the willing"...YET!
FirstTee has done a lot of good in many areas. It better have produced at least some significant results, as it has been showered with tens of millions of dollars, from a lot of corporate and others folks, both inside and outside of the game. There have been serious concerns about the sustained level of participation by the youngsters that enter the program. Data is thin and results mixed. Strong facility leadership, both adult and older youth, is key to consistent retention.
Interestingly, they have begun partnering First Tee programs with some private, Midwest caddie clubs on a small scale. Early reports are promising, though the adjustment for some of these inner-city youngsters, to the totally different world in which they are expected to perform well, is profound.
My thoughts always go to the fact that at some point, every kid that wants to stay in the game, or do much of anything in life for that matter...sooner, hopefully than later....NEEDS A JOB! I've never found a better job for a youngster that: let's them "learn while they earn," in a healthy setting, learning so many of the life lessons they will need to be successful...than caddie golf!
I remember the pride and satisfaction leaving the caddie yard after a long day, often going twice, with a bunch of money in my pocket...I felt like a KING. Yet I appreciated how hard I had worked for it... and gained other priceless lessons many will never experience if we allow selfish industry greed to triumph over that humblest titan of the game... caddie golf!
How then Mac, can the game, from the top down, not embrace caddie golf and nurture it whever possible?
I've given you plenty to chew on. IM me and we'll chat!
Cheers, Kris
