Several years ago I attended a golf tournament sponsored by the P.G.A. I was the guest of a friend who interestingly works as an on site announcer for ESPN. He shared with me his media credentials which allowed me access to any area of the course and almost any building on the course property.
I decided to follow my favorite golfer of all time, Payne Stewart, for the entire 18 holes that he was to play that day. (Golf hasn’t been the same for me since his death) Payne Stewart was paired with two other professionals whose names I will withhold.
I noticed on about the third tee that one of the other golfers in the group seemed to be having a slight problem with his caddie. Or I could say that the caddie was having a slight problem with his employer. It really doesn’t matter to me who was right or wrong. Fact is the tension grew between them with each hole they played.
By the time the group had reached the end of the round the golfer and his caddie were acting like two angry drunks at closing time. They just couldn’t wait to get off the course and go at it. Remember the media credentials I had? Take a guess where I went. I went behind those closed doors that Charlie Rich said that nobody knows what goes on behind. It was quite an exchange to say it mildly. I really don’t mean to sound snooty here, but personally I felt the news was a tad stale the next morning when I read in the USA Today that the golfer had fired his caddie.
If you happen to watch any of the U.S. Open this weekend be sure to notice how the golfer and the caddie interact. The relationship between a golfer and his caddie (or caddy) is a sport within itself.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing relationships was the unique relationship between golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and the man who spent two decades carrying his bag, Angelo Argea.
In 1963 Angelo Argea went to the Palm Springs Classic in 1963 to caddie for a Las Vegas hotel executive. Upon his arrival he was told that there was a desperate shortage of caddies for the pros. Desiring a short day of labor, he signed up with Nicklaus because he thought the reigning U.S. Open champion would not show up because of a hip injury. Nicklaus showed up and won the tournament. He won in Las Vegas later in the year with Argea again at his side.
“Angelo lived in Las Vegas and was driving a taxi at the time,” Nicklaus said. “I asked him if he wanted to caddie for me in the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas, and we ended up winning that one, too. In fact, we won five of the first six tournaments Angelo caddied for me. It was the start of a long partnership and relationship that lasted over 20 years.” They went on to win over 40 tournaments together, including the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.
“Angelo was known for his gray afro, but he should also be known for being an excellent caddie,” Nicklaus said. “Angelo always went out early in the morning and got the pins, and knew enough of the golf course and my golf game that any information I needed he generally had.”
Shortly before he died of liver cancer in the fall of 2005, someone asked Angelo Argea what it was like to carry the bag for one of the greatest golfers of all time. His response was insightful. He said that, for the most part, his job was very complex and intense. Golf, especially at that level, is a game of brain throbbing details and intense pressure. But Argea went on to say that…. when it got tough….his job became very easy.
Normally, like all good caddies, Argea would offer input concerning pin placement, club selection, wind direction, tempo of the golfer’s swing, etc. But, when it got tough. When Nicklaus was fighting to catch the leader or keep the lead, he told Argea that he wanted him to shift his mission. From that point on, Nicklaus would make all decisions. Club selection would be made by only Nicklaus. Pin placements, reading the wind, reading the breaks…..all on Nicklaus.
When it got tough…..Nicklaus made only two requests of Argea. They were simple requests. When it gets tough…(1) Constantly remind me that I am the greatest golfer in the world and (2) frequently remind me that we still have a chance to win it.
Figuratively speaking, I don’t know exactly whose “golf bag” you are helping someone carry, but never underestimate the power of your encouragement. Whoever it is and whatever course they play there is a great chance they know their “swing and game” better than you do. I know it may sound humbling and may even look kinda’ like a demotion, but perhaps your sole mission, at least at this time, is to simply carry the bag and constantly remind them that they are….and they can.
