I was not on the bag today but did time doing what you do when your junior golfer moves beyond US Kids and begins tournaments that don’t allow caddies.
I watched and smiled and ambled along beside or behind or behind trees ahead of Bear on Day 1 of the first Hurricanes tournament of the season. Rob had the benefit of Max’s experience on his bag today at a US Kids tournament, much to his relief I imagine. It was a freezing morning and a shaky start that in the old days would have set the tone for the rest of the round – but Bear’s mind is at ease these days – helped I suspect by the good people he works with and general “growing up”. His game just wasn’t quite ‘on’ today, except for his driving which was tremendous – straight and pure. Short game, short game, short game …….. that is what wins tournaments and that was rather lack luster.
On a personal note the most gratifying thing about the day was my realization that I can do this. Caddying for and watching Bear from a distance has always been Max’s domain from which I have shrunk under the assumption that I would somehow bring bad luck ……… Although judging from the day the jury might still be out on that one ………
Zen-like I understand there is not one thing I can say or do during a tournament that I am not on the bag (and truth be told not much even when I am) that will make him play better – and probably a lot that would make him play worse ! I believe that caddies should really say as little as possible. At this age the child should be working most of it out on their own. This is where Rob shines. He listens at lessons, is faithful to his routine and during a tournament wants quiet to play as best he can on his own. Texts from Max at the US Kids tournament reflect a frustration with an hour frost delay, the usual waiting on every hole and sometimes every agonizing shot …… but Rob swinging well and enjoying himself, but not the greens, resulting in way too many putts ……….. A middle of the pack finish with 7 over par and 20 shots better over the 9 holes that was his debut tournament exactly a year ago.
I can’t say anything effective out there but I can be proud – that even though it was a tough round and Bear really had to grind it out, bounces didn’t go his way, putts didn’t fall ……. he kept calm and relaxed. At least that’s what it looked like whenever I stuck my head out from behind the trees! Tomorrow is another day …..
Max watched and walked on Day 2. It started off well: par par par …….(text updates). I started suspecting I was probably the problem after all ….. then the Bad News Bear text : 2 balls OB on hole 5 ……. then par (stabilizing) then another OB ! I swear he’s aiming for the trees on every side of the fairway where there’s a chance of bouncing OB . At least its an easy fix, every single drop except one on front 9 was due to course management.
Birdie, Par, Birdie – strong finish. Attitude excellent.
In the old days 4 OBs in 3 holes would have sent Bear irretrievably over the edge.
I look forward to the day it sends him immediately back to the driving range!