Meet the man who trains caddies at Cantigny Golf
Forget renting a golf cart. The game of golf should be walked, says Mike Greene, the outside manager and caddie superintendent at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton.
By hiring a caddie, Greene says, you will get a great workout and enjoy the serenity the course has to offer.
“This is a world-class course here at Cantigny,” Greene said. “It's just not the same riding in a cart.”
Greene, 63, knows what he's talking about. He has been training caddies at Cantigny for almost 14 years.
Would-be caddies, who range from ages 13-16, take part in a free five-day program held every spring. Students take part in classroom lectures and spend three days on the course with volunteer golfers who give them some hands-on education and experience.
Once they've finished their training, the new caddies are put in the loop to vie for business with other caddies. They are randomly chosen through a virtual “caddie shack.” At Cantigny, caddies receive $20 per game, plus any tips. Cantigny receives no money from the caddie fees.
The caddie training program, which began in 1998, serves two purposes — training caddies to serve golfers and give them an edge in the game, while offering the caddie an opportunity to work on his or her social skills, business skills, and golf knowledge. Caddies learn how to be independent contractors, Greene says.
Learning to work with a variety of clientele is one of the benefits of the caddie system, Greene believes. He thinks spending a summer caddying is equal to, or better than, any traditional internship.
Caddying can also help with college expenses. To date, the Cantigny golf caddie program has produced 11 Evans Scholarship caddies. The scholarship is awarded to caddies who display a strong caddie record, good grades, financial need and outstanding character.
“The caddie program was started to give the golfers a private club experience, but it has become so much more since then.” Greene said.
Greene wants golfers to know once they've golfed with a caddie, there's no going back.
“If I can find a player here that is a little hesitant about using a caddie and talk them into it ... if they do it, they will be hooked forever.”
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