A caddie wife’s motivating note, an empty Waffle House, tweeting for a cause and more
By T.J. Auclair · September 24, 2019
“Caddying ain’t easy, baby!”
That’s a common refrain from longtime caddie Kip Henley, who began the 2019-20 season this week at the Sanderson Farms Championship with new boss, Stewart Cink.
While Kip usually passes that off as a joke — something he’s a master at — there’s a lot of truth to it. Is it incredible to be inside the ropes alongside the best players in the world week in and week out at some of the most beautiful venues on Earth? Of course it is. But there’s some serious sacrifice — especially for caddies — that comes along with it.
The biggest sacrifice? Time away from home. It doesn’t just impact the caddie, but also the family.
Need proof? Check out this heartfelt post by Kip’s wife, Sissi — a note of encouragement and support of her husband for the year that lies ahead (you’ll want to click on the tweet to get the full text):
@KipHenley pic.twitter.com/mDpWksaNih
— sissi henley (@skhenley) September 15, 2019
Well put.
And, of course, Kip appreciated the support.
My baby gets it. Boomage. https://t.co/obWDGDJfZm
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) September 16, 2019
Another touching (?) post came via caddie Geno Bonnalie — Joel Dahmen’s righthand man. It was a poem to his wife acknowledging their 12th anniversary.
Happy anniversary, wife. pic.twitter.com/gOGZs30tVR
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) September 22, 2019
Life on the road can be lonely. Kip captured just that with an early-morning trip to a Waffle House on his way to the Country Club of Jackson.
Pregame meal of Champions ! Gona make the Guinness Book of World Records twice this week. This has never happened to anyone before. I’m the only person in a Waffle Hose !! pic.twitter.com/PEuWP2rVxN
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) September 19, 2019
If you’re visiting this site, you already know we think caddies are just the best. Another example of that this week? A tweet from Bubba Watson’s caddie, Ted Scott. You may not know this, but Ted is one heck of a player and coach. He also loves giving back. Check this out:
ATTENTION Coaches. I am interested in giving back/helping more people this season. If you would like me to meet with your team briefly during an upcoming event that Bubba is playing, send me a DM. Maybe I can inspire someone out there in this 🌎 🤷🏻♂️ Vegas is next pic.twitter.com/Dt2GVIwHCC
— ted scott (@jtedscott) September 16, 2019
Imagine how cool that would be a for a high school golf team to have a two-time, major-winning caddie stop by to share a few words. Awesome stuff.
Not all the caddies are back to work just yet. Tim Mickelson was enjoying his final days of R&R in Maui before brother Phil’s season tees off this week in Napa with the Safeway Open.
Here’s a picture Tim posted on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kSaKjFxKI/?igshid=z74zzfjz0v5j
The photo caught the attention of his five-time, major winning brother. Phil commented: “Nice to see you training and now looking like me. Well done little bro!”
You’ve got to love big brothers.
During Thursday’s opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship, J.T. Poston — making his season debut after a spectacular 2018-19 season that saw him win the regular-season ending Wyndham Championship in August — had a sweet bunker hole-out. Post-round, his caddie Aaron Flener was kind enough to open up — in a way only he could — about what a caddie can do for his or her player to have the same sort of success out of the bunker:
There’s a 2 step process to helping your pro hole out a bunker shot. Because I like you all I’ll give it to you free of charge.
Step 1: Take the clubs to a spot near the bunker where you think your pro would like to enter.
Step 2: Don’t say a word. https://t.co/730nQXjZFT
— Aaron Flener (@AaronFlener) September 19, 2019
Also from Flener… It was HOT in Jackson. Via this tweet, he gave you a reason to watch other than the golf…
Tune in to see how many towels we use. https://t.co/UCBHLi8mI5
— Aaron Flener (@AaronFlener) September 19, 2019
In case you missed it, cancer survivor Joel Dahmen has a hat he’s wearing for a special cause this season. It’s part of Imperial Headwear’s “End Cancer Collection.”
Here’s how Imperial explained it: “Imperial is proud to team up with PGA TOUR player Joel Dahmen and MD Anderson for the #endcancer collection, featuring Joel’s favorite bucket hat. A portion of all proceeds from the #endcancer Collection, featuring sun protection hats, rope hats, bucket hats and performance adjustable hats will go to MD Anderson Cancer Center and their pursuit of cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.”
Bonnalie sent out a tweet to help the cause:
If you want to look a fraction as good as my man @Joel_Dahmen and help strike out cancer, go buy yourself one of these bad boys.
Your peeling ears will thank you too.https://t.co/51GqEIcSOy pic.twitter.com/jU1y72NdtY— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) September 18, 2019
Caddie Todd Montoya (Brian Stuard) captured a great moment in a convenience store that’s sure to put a smile on your face.
If everyone was as happy as this wonderful lady behind the counter the world would be a better place. She is NONSTOP singing and talking and just damn HAPPY. #Happy pic.twitter.com/CYZpeo0ufB
— Todd Montoya™ (@ToddCaddie) September 16, 2019
Caddie Damon Green put out a tweet this week looking for a little help for his son’s high school golf team:
My sons varsity golf team receives no funding and is need of donations. Every penny goes towards equipment, uniforms, bags, greens & tournament fees plus a scholarship. The donation must be designated to the Kowboys golf program. https://t.co/8rj3c7aZEe #CoachGreen #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/fFzPgEp7Uj
— Damon Green (@protourcaddy) September 17, 2019
