Why Not Us?
I have spent the last couple years plotting a course for the GK GC while trying to validate the notion that Greenkeepers and golf can make for a viable brand that can do good for the golf industry. I won’t list the incredibly long list of reasons and opportunities for why I have arrived at this conclusion but contrary to some opinions I have plenty of data and examples to back up this theory. In the May issue of Golf Digest you may have noticed an article by Oliver Horovitz titled Kings for a Day: At America’s greatest caddie tournaments, the stakes keep getting higher. I had often thought why caddies seemed to be able to experience such events unique to their profession and how such events had seemed to grow to mythical status and quite frankly; why not us? I know there are plenty of turfies out there who can golf their ball with the best of them. Nothing against caddies, hell, I named my dog looper, but if you read the article there are many places throughout where you can just replace the term caddie with greenkeeper.
Let me also be clear, before you send that angry email, there are some differences between keepers and caddies. I would assume the ratio of caddies to near scratch or better golfers is much higher in the caddy yard versus the maintenance shop. Our industry, so often overworked and married the course the thought of having any fun on a golf course other than work may seem unfathomable to many. But throughout maintenance shops everywhere there are golfers, of all abilities. Some still put the time in to keep their game sharp while others let their passion & skills fade often due to the stress and commitment required to keep the course tight and families happy. But I personally believe that encouraging golf amongst the ranks would have a net positive result throughout the industry. Heaven forbid a reason to enjoy some friendly golf competition, experience the course from the golfer’s perspective. Having an event to look forward to may provide an extra reason to take a wedge or putter on your daily set up lap. And showcasing the top talent throughout the industry would provide another platform for industry recruitment, retention and pride. If you have the time or interest read the full Golf Digest article on its own and ask yourself, why not us? But if you want the cliff notes version with some mildly biased greenkeeper input by all means just keep reading. Hopefully you will feel the need to get your game sharp for the Greenkeeper exclusive golf events that are coming soon. Because here at the Greenkeepers Golf Club we believe more golf for greenkeepers is good for golf and for the greenkeepers themselves.
Below quotes have been pulled from Kings for a Day: At America’s greatest caddie tournaments, the stakes keep getting higher By Oliver Horovitz with my own anecdotal thoughts following.
“These competitions possess a purity surpassing just about all else in golf. Pros play for money, members play as often as they want, but for caddies, this is a once-a-year chance to invert their role on beloved ground. These are deeply meaningful tournaments played at a high level with a circuit of majors few know about.”
Why not us?
“The level is extra impressive considering how seldom most caddies play. “In the season, once a week would be lucky,” says Armstrong, who caddied 180 rounds in 2023, nearly all doublebag loops. “The more you work, the less you play, just because of how tired you are. Lately, a lot of caddies here have been averaging 220 to 250 loops a year.”
A greenkeeper who has not logged long hours is likely more greenhorn than greenkeeper.
“As much as the Caddie Cup is a thank you to loopers for a season of hard work, it’s also a celebration of the immense talent within the yards.”
On the record, The Cutter’s Cup was in the works long before I came across this article. My concept was born more out of price than Thanks, but any partner/sponsor who wished to say thanks to our industry is welcome to come onboard. Turnkey opportunities are available.
There is a whole section on Bandon I won’t even touch because, well, it’s Bandon and it’s hard to have a bad day at Bandon. Especially when you are treated to a world class experience at Bandon. I’ll just say this again: why not us?
“Loopers with third-degree suntans and machete-sharp short-games are everywhere.”
We have second degree sunburns and use real machetes. I’ve even seen greenkeepers who swing a machete smoother than their wedges.
“The format is 18 holes of stroke play, eight caddies per club, best six scores for each team’s total. The winning club keeps the cup for a year, and each caddie on the winning team gets a $2,000 scholarship from the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation (the money can be directed to a family member in school or used for continued education).”
The trophy for the Cutters Cup will be one of a kind and will live in the shop of its winner until returned for the following competition. Prizes are TBD at time of writing, but the goal is to make the stakes and entire experience better than anything else already out there.
“Appreciation from members and senior staff is the raison d’être for caddie tournaments like the Berkeley Cup.”
That sounds nice….
“In the too-early December sunset, a pack heads to the putting green for one last skins game, men from vastly different worlds, united by a shared kinship in the game of golf. A few more trot over to join, not wanting the week to be over. They squeeze the last magical moments of golf out of the lavender light until it is dark—but the caddies keep putting, one more hole, one last chance to hit their own putts.”
Swap the word Caddies for greenkeeper and yet again I ask; why not us?
For more context read the full article here, but I think I made my point. If the reason this is not happening for greenkeepers is a lack of a vision, or an organizer, please allow me to introduce myself…. And feel free to reach out if you want to be a part of the Cutter’s Cup Competition because one day sooner than you think, it will be us.