Stepping onto Sacred Ground: My Masters Caddie Gig
So, yeah, I got to do something pretty wild recently. I ended up caddying at the Masters. Not just any Masters, the 2024 one. And not just for anyone, but for my buddy Neal Shipley. It all came together kinda quick, you know how these things happen sometimes. Neal earned his spot, and then, boom, he needed someone on the bag, someone he knew. Guess who got the call? Felt unreal.
Leading up to it was a blur. You hear about Augusta National, you see it on TV, but being there, prepping for the tournament? Different level. We walked the course, tried to figure out the lines, the breaks on those crazy greens. It’s one thing to watch golf, another thing entirely to be inside the ropes, planning shots on that hallowed ground. Felt the weight of it, for sure. Not just the bag, which, let me tell you, isn’t light after a few hours, but the whole atmosphere.
Walking the Walk
Then came tournament week. Man, the crowds. Never seen anything like it. My job? Pretty straightforward on paper: carry the bag, hand him the club, keep the clubs clean, give him the yardages. But it’s more than that, right? You gotta be there for your guy. Keep him steady. Offer a word here or there, but mostly just be a presence. A supportive one.
- Carried that heavy tour bag, day in, day out.
- Cleaned mud off clubs constantly.
- Tried to read putts, but man, those greens are something else.
- Mostly just tried to stay calm myself so he could stay calm.
Walking down those fairways, especially Amen Corner, felt like walking through history. You just try to soak it in, but you also have a job to do. Neal was playing great, fighting hard. Seeing him compete there, and being right there with him, step for step? That was the real deal. Forget just watching; I was part of it. Helped him navigate the course, the pressure. It wasn’t easy. Long days. Lots of walking. Lots of focus needed.
What It Was Really Like
Honestly? It was exhausting but incredible. You’re running on adrenaline most of the time. It’s not just strolling in a park. You’re calculating, you’re watching, you’re anticipating. Being a caddie, especially there, is work. Hard work. But getting that inside look, sharing that experience with Neal, seeing him perform on that stage… yeah, wouldn’t trade it. It’s more than just carrying clubs; it’s partnership, it’s pressure, it’s an unforgettable ride. Just a regular guy from Pittsburgh, walking Augusta National during the Masters. Pretty cool when you stop and think about it.
