Castle Rock – Talk about earning your keep.
During most weeks, it isn’t half bad being a PGA Tour caddie and having a chance at earning up to 10 percent of a huge paycheck.
But Sunday was different at Castle Pines Golf Club. Thirty-six holes on one of the tour’s most demanding layouts in the 90-degree-plus heat. There weren’t enough bananas, apples, Gatorade and bottled water to keep all the loopers happy for what amounts to nearly a 14-mile hike up and down the hills at more than 6,000 feet.
“I think I drank enough bottles of water to fill that pond on No. 9,” said Mark Miller, who was on the bag for Jeff Maggert.
If there was any doubt Sunday was going to be a difficult day, the daily caddies at Castle Pines can provide a reminder that the elements can turn tragic. They can point to the 18th hole, where a plaque sits in the ground just in front of the women’s tee. That’s where local caddie Chuck Tackaberry died last year near the end of a 36-hole day. Tackaberry, physically fit and in his mid-30s, collapsed on the 18th fairway and could not be revived.
“It’s a tough walk around here, and obviously at altitude, where the air is thinner, doesn’t help,” said David Clark, who is a regular on the bag for Englishman Justin Rose. “I was very surprised and shocked to hear a fit guy like Chuck died here.”
On top of being their players’ right-hand men, the usually thankless job includes being a walking billboard for their player’s sponsors. At least two companies, Ping and Taylor Made, recognizing the challenge that Castle Pine presents to caddies, allowed them to tote a lighter stand bag this weekend. Companies such as Callaway and Titleist stayed with the normal bag for the week.
“The big bag probably weighs 45-55 pounds with umbrella, etc.,” said Clark, who had a Taylor Made bag. “The smaller bags are probably 20-25 pounds maximum, so I’m very grateful for that, and Justin has been very good to me this week, (putting) as little as possible in the bag.”
Said Bill Heim, who totes 2002 champion Rich Beem’s Callaway bag: “This is what we are supposed to do. This is the bag they give us, and this is what they want us to show when we walk around the golf course.”
Working in favor of players and caddies Sunday was the quick turnaround from the morning to the afternoon round. The longest wait anyone had to get back on the course was an hour, which gave most just enough time to reload with lunch and plenty of fluids.
“I’m sure if we had time to relax and our muscles contracted again, then it would be tough to get going, but with only the 45 minutes we had, it was OK,” Clark said. “And, starting at No. 1, you get a good 15 minutes down the hill.
“It also helps if the guy you’re working for plays better. Obviously the adrenaline gets going and you get some more energy in you and you’re off and going.”
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
