For a few hours on Masters Sunday, the excitement was back. Righty and lefty. Red and black. #1 and #2.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Shaking hands at the first tee. Both at 4-under par and seven strokes off the lead.
It was a supercharged duel that was pure theater.
The galleries were immense. The roar was back at Augusta. For those who feared Augusta National had become too tough, too dull and far too quiet, the roars returned in a big way.
Mickelson and Woods played together in a final round of a major for the first time in eight years, and they proved to be the best undercard in golf.
Mickelson tied a Masters record with a 30 on the front nine to get into contention. Woods chased him around Amen Corner, then caught him with three birdies in a four-hole stretch that captured the imagination of thousands of fans who stood a dozen deep in spots for a view.
But it ended with a thud.
Mickelson lost his momentum with a 9-iron into Rae's Creek on the par-3 12th, and when he missed a 4-foot eagle putt and a 5-foot birdie putt down the stretch. He had to settle for a 67 that left him three shots behind.
Woods bogeyed the last two holes for a 68 to finish another shot back.
The final hour was almost enough to make a dizzy gallery forget about the Woods-Mickelson fireworks hours earlier.
And the most magical thing of all happened just as the sun began to set.
Perry, a 48-year-old on the verge of becoming golf's oldest champion, had gone 22 consecutive holes without a bogey until he dropped shots on each of the last two holes for a 71 to force a three-man playoff that included Chad Campbell and Angel Cabrera.
Campbell was eliminated on the first extra hole when he found a bunker from the middle of the 18th fairway, then watched his 6-foot par putt lip out of the hole.
When luck turned against Perry on the second extra hole -- a splotch of mud on his ball in the fairway that led to a bogey -- Cabrera made a routine par to become the first Argentine in a green jacket.
At No. 69 in the world, he became the lowest-ranked player to win the Masters since the world ranking began in 1986.
Two years after winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont, Cabrera became the sixth player this decade to win multiple majors.
And he finally gave Argentines some happy memories of the Masters.
It was 41 years ago when Roberto de Vicenzo made one of golf's most famous gaffes, signing for the wrong score that denied him a spot in a Masters playoff.
When Cabrera returned home as the U.S. Open champion two years ago, de Vicenzo gave him a special gift.
"He gave me a frame where he has in his hand a green jacket, and he says, 'I hope this gives you luck, so someday you can bring back a green jacket for yourself,'" Cabrera said.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tiger is Back/the Recession is Over
Golf's recession is about to end.
The stimulus package golf fans have been waiting for has arrived. The recession in golf will soon be over.
Tiger Woods is back.
Woods' return figures to spike golf interest, television ratings and the gate.
He announced yesterday on his web site that he will defend his title next week in the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, his first competition since he underwent knee surgery a couple of days after winning the U.S. Open on a broken leg. He also said that he believes his reconstructed left knee and game are good enough to win the Feb. 25-March 1 tournament at the new Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus design at Dove Mountain in suburban Tucson.
"I'm now ready to play again," Woods said.
The last shot Woods hit for real was a short par putt on the 91st hole of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where he defeated Rocco Mediate in a playoff to capture his 14th major, which Woods described as "probably the best ever" under the circumstances.
He had surgery after the Masters last year to repair cartilage damage in his left knee and suffered a double stress fracture in his left leg while preparing for his return.
He limped badly over the final few days of the U.S. Open, later saying the swelling was so bad at night that he couldn't see his knee cap. A week after winning, he had reconstructive surgery. What to expect?
"He's human," swing coach Hank Haney said. "He has played one tournament in 10 months. I would think he would be a little rusty, but I really don't know what to expect. Nothing with Tiger ever surprises me."
Haney said the swing hasn't changed, but there might be one difference."He's working on the same stuff that he's always been working on, but he'll be able to do it with a strong leg now," Haney said. "It will be a little different in the finish because his knee doesn't give way."
"He came out five years ago and said he had 20 percent of his ACL, and then none of it," Haney said., "Now he has 100 percent of his ACL and his legs have never been strong, and somehow people want to think, 'Will he be OK?' They're not following logic. The only thing he has to deal with his being away for a long time. How long it takes him, I don't know. But he is Tiger Woods."
If none of the 64 players in the field pull out, No. 1 seed Woods would draw Australian Brendan Jones in the first round. Jones, 33, played a full PGA Tour season in 2005, finishing 144th in earnings, and won three times on the 2007 Japan Golf Tour, where he was second in earnings. He has won eight times in Japan, playing there full-time every year since 2000 except for '05. Jones made four cuts in five 2008 PGA Tour starts, with a best finish of T-33 at the Match Play.
The stimulus package golf fans have been waiting for has arrived. The recession in golf will soon be over.
Tiger Woods is back.
Woods' return figures to spike golf interest, television ratings and the gate.
He announced yesterday on his web site that he will defend his title next week in the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, his first competition since he underwent knee surgery a couple of days after winning the U.S. Open on a broken leg. He also said that he believes his reconstructed left knee and game are good enough to win the Feb. 25-March 1 tournament at the new Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus design at Dove Mountain in suburban Tucson.
"I'm now ready to play again," Woods said.
The last shot Woods hit for real was a short par putt on the 91st hole of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where he defeated Rocco Mediate in a playoff to capture his 14th major, which Woods described as "probably the best ever" under the circumstances.
He had surgery after the Masters last year to repair cartilage damage in his left knee and suffered a double stress fracture in his left leg while preparing for his return.
He limped badly over the final few days of the U.S. Open, later saying the swelling was so bad at night that he couldn't see his knee cap. A week after winning, he had reconstructive surgery. What to expect?
"He's human," swing coach Hank Haney said. "He has played one tournament in 10 months. I would think he would be a little rusty, but I really don't know what to expect. Nothing with Tiger ever surprises me."
Haney said the swing hasn't changed, but there might be one difference."He's working on the same stuff that he's always been working on, but he'll be able to do it with a strong leg now," Haney said. "It will be a little different in the finish because his knee doesn't give way."
"He came out five years ago and said he had 20 percent of his ACL, and then none of it," Haney said., "Now he has 100 percent of his ACL and his legs have never been strong, and somehow people want to think, 'Will he be OK?' They're not following logic. The only thing he has to deal with his being away for a long time. How long it takes him, I don't know. But he is Tiger Woods."
If none of the 64 players in the field pull out, No. 1 seed Woods would draw Australian Brendan Jones in the first round. Jones, 33, played a full PGA Tour season in 2005, finishing 144th in earnings, and won three times on the 2007 Japan Golf Tour, where he was second in earnings. He has won eight times in Japan, playing there full-time every year since 2000 except for '05. Jones made four cuts in five 2008 PGA Tour starts, with a best finish of T-33 at the Match Play.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Annika Retires and Michelle Reemerges
Two noteworthy events took place recently in women’s golf---one far more important than the other.
Annika Sorenstam has retired from golf and Michelle Wie has earned her LPGA card.
The 38-year old woman ended her career with 90 international tournament wins, 78 LPGA victories, ten majors titles, eight Player of the Year awards and more than $20 million in winnings.
I have read that when Annika was on the junior golf tour, she would deliberately three-putt the 18th to avoid having to give a victory speech because she was terrified of public speaking.
At her last tournament in Dubai, she birdied the last hole of her professional golf career, and was applauded off the green by every player at the tournament.
"It means a lot," she told reporters. "When you get that kind of respect from players it breaks your heart."
"I felt at peace. I really felt very content," Sorenstam said after her final birdie. "I walked up to hit my third shot on the 18th, and I felt the breeze coming in, and it was just a really comfortable feeling. I saw my parents and my family and that give me a tear."
Annika Sorenstam increased the visibility of women athletes, and women's sports everywhere benefited. In 2001, she shot a 59, the lowest score in LPGA history. The following year, she won 11 titles and set an all-time LPGA low-scoring record.
After her round in Dubai on Sunday, Sorenstam said, "I'm both happy and sad. The motivation is no longer there but I'm very proud of what I've achieved in the last 15years. I feel very good about women's golf in general. It's on the rise and it will continue to grow."
The legacy of Annika Sorenstam will live on. She is a class act.
Meanwhile, there remains a fascination about the 19-year old from Hawaii. When Michelle Wie completed Q-school, there was a crowd of nearly 500 persons surrounding the 18th green. Typically, there are a handful of people to witness the final day of Q-school.
When she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links at 13 years old, it would have been hard to imagine her going six years without another trophy to call her own.
“I have a clean slate,” she said. “I took the long way to get here, but I feel really good about it.”
No other teenage girl came within three matches of qualifying for the Masters and nine holes of qualifying for the men’s U.S. Open. No other female showed enough potential to bring in $15 million in endorsements during her junior year in high school.
She said what brought her the most satisfaction about her LPGA card is that she earned it.
It was a big step for her go to Q-school just like so many great players before her—Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak, all in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Wie still hasn’t won a tournament since turning pro in 2005.
Her future?
She might be better than ever.
Or it could be that her best golf already is behind her.
Annika Sorenstam has retired from golf and Michelle Wie has earned her LPGA card.
The 38-year old woman ended her career with 90 international tournament wins, 78 LPGA victories, ten majors titles, eight Player of the Year awards and more than $20 million in winnings.
I have read that when Annika was on the junior golf tour, she would deliberately three-putt the 18th to avoid having to give a victory speech because she was terrified of public speaking.
At her last tournament in Dubai, she birdied the last hole of her professional golf career, and was applauded off the green by every player at the tournament.
"It means a lot," she told reporters. "When you get that kind of respect from players it breaks your heart."
"I felt at peace. I really felt very content," Sorenstam said after her final birdie. "I walked up to hit my third shot on the 18th, and I felt the breeze coming in, and it was just a really comfortable feeling. I saw my parents and my family and that give me a tear."
Annika Sorenstam increased the visibility of women athletes, and women's sports everywhere benefited. In 2001, she shot a 59, the lowest score in LPGA history. The following year, she won 11 titles and set an all-time LPGA low-scoring record.
After her round in Dubai on Sunday, Sorenstam said, "I'm both happy and sad. The motivation is no longer there but I'm very proud of what I've achieved in the last 15years. I feel very good about women's golf in general. It's on the rise and it will continue to grow."
The legacy of Annika Sorenstam will live on. She is a class act.
Meanwhile, there remains a fascination about the 19-year old from Hawaii. When Michelle Wie completed Q-school, there was a crowd of nearly 500 persons surrounding the 18th green. Typically, there are a handful of people to witness the final day of Q-school.
When she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links at 13 years old, it would have been hard to imagine her going six years without another trophy to call her own.
“I have a clean slate,” she said. “I took the long way to get here, but I feel really good about it.”
No other teenage girl came within three matches of qualifying for the Masters and nine holes of qualifying for the men’s U.S. Open. No other female showed enough potential to bring in $15 million in endorsements during her junior year in high school.
She said what brought her the most satisfaction about her LPGA card is that she earned it.
It was a big step for her go to Q-school just like so many great players before her—Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak, all in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Wie still hasn’t won a tournament since turning pro in 2005.
Her future?
She might be better than ever.
Or it could be that her best golf already is behind her.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Giving Thanks
It has been a while since my last post. And this post has nothing to do with golf or Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy. It has to do with tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.
It is one of the least commercial but most important holidays in the United States. Giving thanks for all our blessings. Despite the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounds us, we need to take pause and reflect on the joys of life.
It's far too easy to be cynical these days and think we have little to be thankful for. Let me share with you one of my favorite poems. This says it far better than I could. You might know it - it became popular in the 1960's. Wrongly attributed for a long time to an anonymous writer, it is now established it was written in the 1920's by Max Ehrmann.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.
It is one of the least commercial but most important holidays in the United States. Giving thanks for all our blessings. Despite the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounds us, we need to take pause and reflect on the joys of life.
It's far too easy to be cynical these days and think we have little to be thankful for. Let me share with you one of my favorite poems. This says it far better than I could. You might know it - it became popular in the 1960's. Wrongly attributed for a long time to an anonymous writer, it is now established it was written in the 1920's by Max Ehrmann.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Politics and Golf
Since I have yet to decide for whom to cast my vote in November, I have devised a foolproof way of choosing the best candidate. Play 18 holes of golf with Senator Barack Obama and then play golf with Senator John McCain.
Think about it. You play golf with someone, in particular, someone you never played with before, and you learn a lot about that person.
And I mean a lot.
Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports provide life lessons as well but golf is my favorite sport and the one I understand the best. It is a mystical experience, a test of character, a source of rare joy and excruciating pain. No psychological test will tell you as much about a person’s character as a round of golf.
Back in the early 1990’s, I was playing golf in the Sea Pines Resort here on Hilton Head Island and was teamed up with two strangers, a husband and wife. By the third hole, we were exchanging the usual banter concerning the weather, our home states, what we did for a living, etc.
From his answers, I sensed that the man was in politics and proceeded to ask him who he worked for. His response was the state of Indiana. And I then asked him if he was in the State Legislature. Matter of factly, he said, “No, I’m the Governor.”
His name was Evan Bayh
We proceeded to play our round and it turns out he was one of the nicest “strangers” I have ever played golf with. No false pretenses….just a nice guy that you would never guess was a Governor. At the end of our round, his wife Susan asked me what my plans were for the following day. When I told her golf, she invited me to play with them again since her husband was being joined by a political friend and we would have a foursome.
I accepted the invitation and we had another delightful day on the course.
It appears that the voters of Indiana had a similar impression.
By the end of his second term in 1996, Governor Bayh, who is now the Junior Senator from Indiana, had an approval rating of nearly 80 percent.
So while it is unlikely that I’ll get to play golf with the presidential candidates and will have to resort to more traditional ways to reach my decision, keep this concept in mind next time you really need to learn more about a person.
Invite him or her to play 18 holes of golf.
Think about it. You play golf with someone, in particular, someone you never played with before, and you learn a lot about that person.
And I mean a lot.
Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports provide life lessons as well but golf is my favorite sport and the one I understand the best. It is a mystical experience, a test of character, a source of rare joy and excruciating pain. No psychological test will tell you as much about a person’s character as a round of golf.
Back in the early 1990’s, I was playing golf in the Sea Pines Resort here on Hilton Head Island and was teamed up with two strangers, a husband and wife. By the third hole, we were exchanging the usual banter concerning the weather, our home states, what we did for a living, etc.
From his answers, I sensed that the man was in politics and proceeded to ask him who he worked for. His response was the state of Indiana. And I then asked him if he was in the State Legislature. Matter of factly, he said, “No, I’m the Governor.”
His name was Evan Bayh
We proceeded to play our round and it turns out he was one of the nicest “strangers” I have ever played golf with. No false pretenses….just a nice guy that you would never guess was a Governor. At the end of our round, his wife Susan asked me what my plans were for the following day. When I told her golf, she invited me to play with them again since her husband was being joined by a political friend and we would have a foursome.
I accepted the invitation and we had another delightful day on the course.
It appears that the voters of Indiana had a similar impression.
By the end of his second term in 1996, Governor Bayh, who is now the Junior Senator from Indiana, had an approval rating of nearly 80 percent.
So while it is unlikely that I’ll get to play golf with the presidential candidates and will have to resort to more traditional ways to reach my decision, keep this concept in mind next time you really need to learn more about a person.
Invite him or her to play 18 holes of golf.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Playoffs are in the Rough
There has to be a better way. How can you have a winner decided before the playoffs are done? You couldn’t do that in any other sport.
And yet, all Vijay Singh has to do is show up, play four rounds of golf, sign for the correct scores and doesn't get disqualified or hurt and he will walk away with a $10 million bonus check. That's an exciting finish.
Understandably, the PGA is trying to paint a happy face on all of this. They have to.
A few years ago, the golf industry decided that playoffs were needed at the end of the season to generate more interest. Conceptually, that part is fine. But how could the powers-to-be expect that fan interest would be maintained if you took a three-week break between the third and the final playoff event?
Those in charge perhaps should have spent more time getting it right. The points system is a system which most golfers could never explain. Few people understand it.
One of the other issues is timing. It’s bad timing. Here we are with the NFL and college football in full swing, along with baseball heading into the final stretch with four of the six division titles yet to be decided.
And yet the FedEx Cup will be decided this weekend. Will anyone care? Will anyone watch?
The lesson here----what the golf industry is trying to do is commendable. And yes, the PGA did tweak the format but it needs more than tweaking. It needs an overhaul. The PGA needs to take a long, hard look at how the playoffs are structured as well as the timing. And they should be talking to their counterparts in both football and baseball to find the right formula. There has to be a better way.
Richard Bisi
Director of Communications
Hank Haney IJGA
And yet, all Vijay Singh has to do is show up, play four rounds of golf, sign for the correct scores and doesn't get disqualified or hurt and he will walk away with a $10 million bonus check. That's an exciting finish.
Understandably, the PGA is trying to paint a happy face on all of this. They have to.
A few years ago, the golf industry decided that playoffs were needed at the end of the season to generate more interest. Conceptually, that part is fine. But how could the powers-to-be expect that fan interest would be maintained if you took a three-week break between the third and the final playoff event?
Those in charge perhaps should have spent more time getting it right. The points system is a system which most golfers could never explain. Few people understand it.
One of the other issues is timing. It’s bad timing. Here we are with the NFL and college football in full swing, along with baseball heading into the final stretch with four of the six division titles yet to be decided.
And yet the FedEx Cup will be decided this weekend. Will anyone care? Will anyone watch?
The lesson here----what the golf industry is trying to do is commendable. And yes, the PGA did tweak the format but it needs more than tweaking. It needs an overhaul. The PGA needs to take a long, hard look at how the playoffs are structured as well as the timing. And they should be talking to their counterparts in both football and baseball to find the right formula. There has to be a better way.
Richard Bisi
Director of Communications
Hank Haney IJGA
Friday, August 22, 2008
My Very First Job in Golf
I was 13 years old and headed for my first job interview at a very exclusive country club in Western Massachusetts a few years back.
I was very nervous. But I did have one advantage. My older brother worked at the Country Club as a caddie, the very job that I was applying for.
Initially, I was told that the minimum age to caddy was 14 years old. But the caddy master liked my brother and suggested a compromise. He said, “We can hire you on a trial basis but you’ll have to carry singles (one bag).”
That didn’t bother me. I readily accepted the job offer, not fully comprehending that I would make half of what my brother made since he carried doubles.
That summer turned out to be one of my best summers I experienced. Not only did I learn a lot about golf, I got to play at the country club for free on Mondays which was caddies day. And I did play every single Monday.
By the time the summer ended, I felt like a veteran caddy. I knew just about every nook and cranny of that golf course. I couldn’t wait for the following summer.
By the following spring, I had turned 14 and was ready to carry doubles. Now, I had big-time competition at the Caddy Shack---16 and 17 year olds who had been caddying for a few years and many of the members had their favorite caddy. I figured out that the best way to stand out in the crowd was to work hard, gain more knowledge of the course itself and be able to give good advice to the members when asked.
I did all of that and felt pretty confident by the time the summer ended. There was no doubt in my mind that I would return for a third year. While some of my friends at the country club including my older brother began to think about other work for the following summer, I knew I had picked the right job.
I turned 15 the following spring and all of the hard work the previous summer was now beginning to pay off. More members were asking for me and I ended up working six days a week that summer. On the seventh day (Monday) I played golf at the country club.
What was really gratifying and fun was to caddy for members at tournaments, in particular, those tournaments where club pros participated as part of the field. There we would be, on the par-5 fifth hole and one of the guests (sometimes a club pro) would ask me what they should use for their second shot. To be able to hand that guest the right club and have the player hit the green was just an unbelievable feeling
When I think back to those glory days, I recall that I made a lot of money as a young kid, but more importantly, it was the friendships and the camaraderie that gave me the most satisfaction.
So, here I am at Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, serving as Director of Communications, many years later. I have come full cycle, sort of speak. And the lessons I learned as a teenager apply today….hard work always pays off.
Richard Bisi
Director of Communications
Hank Haney IJGA
I was very nervous. But I did have one advantage. My older brother worked at the Country Club as a caddie, the very job that I was applying for.
Initially, I was told that the minimum age to caddy was 14 years old. But the caddy master liked my brother and suggested a compromise. He said, “We can hire you on a trial basis but you’ll have to carry singles (one bag).”
That didn’t bother me. I readily accepted the job offer, not fully comprehending that I would make half of what my brother made since he carried doubles.
That summer turned out to be one of my best summers I experienced. Not only did I learn a lot about golf, I got to play at the country club for free on Mondays which was caddies day. And I did play every single Monday.
By the time the summer ended, I felt like a veteran caddy. I knew just about every nook and cranny of that golf course. I couldn’t wait for the following summer.
By the following spring, I had turned 14 and was ready to carry doubles. Now, I had big-time competition at the Caddy Shack---16 and 17 year olds who had been caddying for a few years and many of the members had their favorite caddy. I figured out that the best way to stand out in the crowd was to work hard, gain more knowledge of the course itself and be able to give good advice to the members when asked.
I did all of that and felt pretty confident by the time the summer ended. There was no doubt in my mind that I would return for a third year. While some of my friends at the country club including my older brother began to think about other work for the following summer, I knew I had picked the right job.
I turned 15 the following spring and all of the hard work the previous summer was now beginning to pay off. More members were asking for me and I ended up working six days a week that summer. On the seventh day (Monday) I played golf at the country club.
What was really gratifying and fun was to caddy for members at tournaments, in particular, those tournaments where club pros participated as part of the field. There we would be, on the par-5 fifth hole and one of the guests (sometimes a club pro) would ask me what they should use for their second shot. To be able to hand that guest the right club and have the player hit the green was just an unbelievable feeling
When I think back to those glory days, I recall that I made a lot of money as a young kid, but more importantly, it was the friendships and the camaraderie that gave me the most satisfaction.
So, here I am at Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, serving as Director of Communications, many years later. I have come full cycle, sort of speak. And the lessons I learned as a teenager apply today….hard work always pays off.
Richard Bisi
Director of Communications
Hank Haney IJGA
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