Hitting The Range

Before I go down memory lane, or immerse myself in the emotions of the game, I'll give you something more pragmatic. This is junior golf competition 101 but if you're a novice accidental caddie, this may well save you a lot of aggravation. For starters, the only thing more stressful than watching your kid four putt or hit to an island green, is getting to the driving range late when all the tees are occupied and nobody is looking to give up their space. And then your kid turns to you and expects you to do a Moses-At-The-Red Sea thing and split two tees and make a new one appear, with a pyramid of shiny new Titleists waiting to be whacked, of course. That aint happening. So first, get to the range first and early, no matter what the tournament. Once your junior golfer has loosened up, they can go putt, chip, talk, eat, whatever, but at least you got the tough one out of the way. When you get to the range, unless you had an early tee time and got to the range an hour and a half before, the tees are probably already full. (most of these parents and kids are on junior golf 301 or 401). What to do? Pick out a golfer who is hitting his or her driver and plant yourself behind them. Driver comes last for most warmups, so logic dictates they're almost done. Not foolproof, but pretty close. Then be patient. And polite. Everyone needs some time to go through their routines and your kid will want their time when it's their time. When you checked in for the tournament, it's a good idea to check on the driving range ball situation. Most tournaments provide pre-competition golf balls, but not always. You may need tokens, or need to bring a basket from the pro shop. Find out early, not 15 minutes before tee time when you're kid is having an anxiety attack or giving you one. Depending on the maintenance requirement level of your kid, you can use this time to clean clubs their clubs, buy water and bananas, or work at that second part-time job you'll need to afford your kid pursuing this golf dream in the first place. After negotiating the driving range and getting to the tee 10 minutes ahead with time to chip around, you can breathe a sigh of relief and relax... for a minute or two.

Point Counterpoint

Before we go any further, in the interest of full disclosure, and a balanced report, I need to address some of potential shortcomings of an accidental caddie's journey. I once read an interview with actor/comedian/writer Larry David of Seinfeld and then HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm fame. A golf obsessive, he lamented (I paraphrase) that if he had used the time that he spends on the golf course and driving range, he'd probably be a virtuoso violinist and speak fluent Chinese. Alas it's true, the time we follow our sons and daughters from tournament to tournament, with trips to the golf instructor and driving range, might be spent painting a picture, seeing family, kicking back on Memorial Day weekend, visiting a museum, well, you know, living a life outside of golf. Sunny days are swallowed up, not on the beach or flying a kite, but watching 165 yard approach shots check up on greens and applauding politely. It could be so much worse. We might be dragged to tractor pull competitions or god knows what. And after all, this is the life we've chosen... well, accidentally at least.

Quick Recap

I've got a lot of blog ground to make up and I'll elaborate further in future blogs, but I think a quick recap of my initial journey (oh yeah, and my son's too!) might be helpful... Following his "graduation" from the local junior golf clinic, we took our son to play his first 18 holes, at the age of 8, at the Pines Course at the Seaview Marriott in Galloway, New Jersey. Site of the US Open in Galloway, New Jersey. Unbeknownst to us, Seaview was hosting the LPGA Shoprite Classic that weekend, and the coming out party for Michelle Wie, who at the age of 13 was the center of attention. So the indoctrination was complete: wonderful, storied golf course, the Bay Course designed by Donald Ross in 1915 or so, the Pines Course coming later in 1929; the LPGA; the media; and the sensation of 13 year old Michelle Wie hitting 285 yard drives while we watched on the range. That afternoon, he shot about 140 for his first 18, but that was okay, he was on his way to PGA fame. Fast forward to the Pioneer Tour run by the Bergen County Parks Department; the NJJGC, now Junior Golf America , run by Chuck DiLeo and his wife, Ginny; then US Kids; then the IJGT (International Junior Golf Tour). And there's more to come. Lot's more...

Genesis

I became an accidental caddie about four years ago, shortly after my 8 year old son participated in his first junior golf clinic, outhit his contemporaries on the first day, and decided this was the sport for him. Shortly thereafter it became the way of life for him, and by default, I have been traveling down that road with him ever since. Officially I have been his "accidental" caddie many times, but now he is required to carry his own bag, so I have been relegated to unofficial status, ie. all the work, but alas, no 10% of his winnings, but a good percentage of the satisfaction of helping your child chase their dream while being immersed in the traditions and excitement of the game of golf. I hope this blog will become a source for other dads and moms whose children become similarly infatuated with this game, as well as a forum for discussion about the future of junior golf, and where the dream may lead.