Coach's Corner: Glenbrook North grad delays career caddie full-time
When 2014 Glenbrook North grad Eric Markus filled out his career goals form back in his high school years, becoming a full-time golf caddie was probably not on the top of the list. In fact, it probably wasn't even on the list.
But life as we know takes strange turns, so at an age when most recent college graduates are beginning the long road in their corporate careers, Markus took a different path - a path leading down green fairways, slightly less green roughs and beautiful, pristine putting greens. He is making the ultimate sacrifice, and working with longtime friend Nick Hardy, also a GBN grad, as they attempt to wander their way into the big time - the PGA pro golf tour.
Eric is his full-time caddie.
"It was not exactly part of my plan for the future," he said, even though he did caddie at a Lake Forest Country Club as teen. "But I started caddying for Nick in summer tournaments in high school, and It continued into college and I really enjoyed it. We are best of friends, and I also saw Nick's potential, so I decided to give this a shot full time."
A gamble no doubt. No financial guarantees, no weekly salary etc. You only make money if you make it to the big show. But Markus has confidence in his good friend and fellow GBN grad Hardy, and decided to commit full time.
Caddying is serious stuff at this level. Not your typical recreational trip along the 18 holes on a leisurely Saturday.
He goes out on tournament weeks and will walk the course Monday through Wednesday. "I do this while taking notes, looking for spots to stay away, proper sight lines from the tee, distances, best spots to play from, and just in general giving any extra edge I can for Nick," Eric explains.
After all this prep, the two will then meet before Thursday's tournament play and go over the plan of attack for the course.
Thursday through Sunday, it's competition time. And while Markus and Hardy are good friends and can have a good time off the course, when it comes to game day on the circuit, Hardy is all business.
"Oh yeah," says Eric, "Nick takes this job really serious. No nonsense at all. He is completely focused, and if he happens to have a bad hole or a bad day, I think the advantage I have being his longtime friend is I know him so well, I usually know what to say to get him back on track."
Markus is pretty much self-taught as a caddie. "Never really went to any school or training program," he says, "just kind of picked up things along the way. I watch some of the top professional caddies and learn from how they do things."
The highlight so far? He got to caddie in the 2019 U.S. Open at famed Pebble Beach, Florida. With all the top professionals.
"That was pretty cool," Eric said. "I really got to observe and see what a championship tournament at the highest level was all about."
He hopes to see many more in the future.
Markus and Hardy, a team if there ever was one, are currently competing on what is called the Korn Ferry circuit. Just one step below the PGA tour. The competition to move to the next level is intense, but Hardy has had success here and is near the top and on the cusp of joining the top 150 golfers in the world on the PGA Tour - their ultimate goal.
"His success is my success, and his failure is my failure. That's kind of the way we look at it." Eric explains.
Everyone should have such a dedicated friend as Eric Markus. One who gives up other life aspirations to go all out to help. Who knows where the road may lead, but for now, Markus is all in and going to see how far they can get in the pro golfing world.
One final thought. Marcus was a talented volleyball player and starting setter for coach Chris Cooper's Spartan teams during his high school career. His job was to work hard and get to the ball, then set up his teammates for the big kill.
In a sense, that is exactly what he is doing now. Markus the caddie, setting up the star, his good friend Nick Hardy. Watching Hardy's brilliant high school career, his two Big Ten championships in college and his complete dedication to making it as a pro golfer, nobody in this area would be surprised if he makes it - and makes it big. The Glenbrook community is behind him and rooting hard.
And right beside him will be his lifelong friend and full-time caddie, giving him the ultimate assist.
• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and just an all-around local sports fan. Any topics you'd like to see him tackle? Email glenbrooknews@dailyherald.com and include "Coach's Corner" in the subject line.