Niall,
Old Tom certainly wasn't a career caddie. Who said he was?
Where did he....and tens of thousands of others....find the game....thank you sir.....CADDIE GOLF!!!!
You, along with other folks unfamiliar with the reality of what caddie golf has, and continues to contribute to golf, can try mightily to ignore or marginalize that titanic avenue of the game's difference makers and champions. I'll happily note the irrefutable ...whenever necessary, to ensure that the record remains clear so it isn't overlooked or forgotten.
Old Tom certainly cast a profound and positive influence on numerous facets of the game; his course design work being central to that lasting legacy.
If we look at today's golf architects, who are those mentioned as doing some of best work?
I would submit Coore and Crenshaw, Gil Hanse and Tom Doak are in the top clutch for sure. Guess what is a common thread among all four men? All were touched by some aspect of caddie golf.
Mr. Coore caddied at Pinehurst in his youth. Mr. Crenshaw was taught and mentored by Harvey Penick, who found the game as...imagine that...a caddie.
Mr. Hanse and Mr. Doak both caddied for short stints at St . Andrews when they were overseas on their wonderful Fredrick Dreer golf award trips while students at Cornell . Mr. Doak has mentioned that time as a caddie spent guiding and observing all types of players over the Old was helpful and insightful in his understanding of how to craft golf for all to enjoy.
NONE were career caddies or ANYTHING close to it!!
That is irrelevant to the fact....they each were touched by caddie golf. No trolley, power cart or just walking alone EVER provided what that avenue did.
If you've had the experience of doing the job and EMBRACING what a wonderful time helping others around a course and learning the game from that perspective can be... you can appreciate it.
Even if you never have, the game itself provides ample evidence of how much caddie golf has, AND continues to deliver everywhere you look.
Cheers,
Kris