The hiatus is over. Called back into action for a one-off-on-the-bag experience at the prestigious Terra Cotta Invitational, my caddie career seems resurrected, now that Luke has again got the competition bug. Come this summer, he will be teeing it up in every New York area amateur tournament he can fit into his schedule. And I will be on the bag for all those tournaments, whether they fit into my schedule or not. What do they say about caddies: Show up, keep up, and shut up.? And for dads too I guess... throw in, can I have a few bucks?What can I do? Win or lose, stress or smile, there is no bigger kick in life that I've known than to caddie for my kid in competition. How many dads even get their kids attention for that much time? On a golf course, hopefully in sunshine, with your kid, surrounded by sportsman in an air of almost Utopian camaraderie (for the most part), it's an atmosphere that can barely be matched.
The Terra Cotta was his first big competition in a long time (save for the mini-tour warm-up the week before that was a nothing to lose affair), and probably the biggest of his career. Playing against the highest ranked field, on one of the most beautiful and toughest courses around, Luke was the local hero, a menial worker at the tournament venue. Featured in the local paper the night before the tournament started as the working kid that played his way into the prestigious tournament, people actually showed up just to see him, the underdog, compete. A touch of Francis Ouimet saga maybe? Snowbirds from New Jersey came out to see the kid from their home state. And then there were the members and his co-workers. The members wanted to see what this hyped kid could do in competition on their course. His co-workers were either proud or envious of his opportunity and a betting pool popped up involving how Luke would fare in the heat of battle.
Well, over three days and fifty four holes, we didn't get the Hollywood ending we were hoping for, but realistically, he acquitted himself well, at times bending, not breaking. Clearly there was a little rust in the swing and a little rust in the head for the focus and patience required. And I, as dad, caddie, and on course therapist, worked hard peppering him with positive golf cliche's to keep the doubts and demons at bay. He finished T-41 in a field of 80 against some of the best amateurs in the world. He didn't light it up, but all in all, he was satisfied. How satisfied? Three days later he texted me to sign him up for every significant tournament this summer. And I'll be on the bag, stressing for my kid, and loving it. The accidental caddie walks again!
