Meet the caddie: Jeff Johnson
By Susanna Baker · December 29, 2019
How long have you caddied?
5 years
Players I’ve caddied for…
Tyrone Van Aswegen, Paul Stankowski, Mathias Gronberg, Aaron Goldberg, Dawie Van der Walt, Mark Anderson
Childhood hometown…
Waukesha, Wisconsin
High school attended…
Waukesha North H.S. – Class of 1993
Did you play college golf?
Yes
Where did you play?
Millikin University
What is your greatest golf memory?
Stepping onto the first tee at my first event as a PGA Tour caddie. It had always been a dream of mine to play the PGA Tour, but my game was never quite that good. Despite not playing, the feeling of knowing I would be inside the ropes in the thick of the action was incredible.
What is your greatest memory as a caddie?
The moment my current player (Tyrone Van Aswegen) reached his lifelong dream of securing a card to play on the PGA Tour. Being a part of the team for three years on the Web.com Tour up to that point made the moment very special.
What is the best part about being a caddie?
Feeling the energy from the crowd when you’re in contention. The feeling you get when you make a suggestion on the course and seeing your player hit the perfect shot. The travel and meeting people from all over the world… it’s so hard to narrow it down to one or two things. What’s the best part about being a caddie? Being a caddie.
Favorite professional golfer growing up?
Phil Mickelson
Favorite city to visit?
Phoenix
Favorite course to caddie?
Pebble Beach
Favorite course to play?
The Legend at Merrill Hills
Favorite food?
Pizza
Favorite beverage?
Dr. Pepper
Favorite restaurant?
Culver’s
Favorite bar?
Master Z’s Cue Club – Waukesha, WI
Favorite sports team?
Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Manchester United F.C.
Favorite movie?
Shawshank Redemption
Who would be in your dream golf foursome, as a player?
My dad, Jack Nicklaus, and Frank Sinatra
Hobbies outside of golf?
Huge baseball fan. Off weeks are spent making a slow drive to the next event taking in baseball games of all levels (MLB, MiLB, Independent Leagues) along the way. Have currently visited 106 different stadiums.
Any other information you would like for us to know that we may have not previously known?
I’m one of the few caddies who drives from event to event. I fly a few times a year, but only to those events where driving is impractical (they haven’t built bridges to Hawaii and Puerto Rico yet). I have converted my Dodge Grand Caravan into a mini camper for those nights when a few hours sleep is required in order to continue the longer drives. The conversion also comes in handy for those weeks when camping is possible and practical (Greenbrier).
What is your golf handicap?
13
Who is your inspirational role model?
My parents
Alternate career choice and why?
Professional poker player, love reading people to see what makes them tick.
Do you have a nickname and what is the story behind how it was given to you?
Jihadi Jeff, I lived and worked in the Middle East (Dubai) before caddying
What has been the biggest highlight of your caddying career?
Winning my first tournament as a caddy, having it be a senior major was especially nice.
What is your favorite stop on Tour and why?
Pebble Beach, love the history and the views
Where do you reside during off season?
Waukesha, WI
What is one thing about you that most people would be surprised to learn? b
I was a competitive springboard diver in high school, qualified for the state tournament in my junior and senior years.
Greatest golf shot you have personally witnessed on Tour?
Phil Mickelson from the trees through a 2 square foot hole about 80 yards ahead of him to 8 feet, and he made the putt for birdie.
