My First and Probably Most Exceptional Caddying Loop of the Spring

It might be hard to believe, but the first email I sent after deciding to take a gap year way back in December of 2011 was to my uncle Harry, saying, among other things, that it would be so cool if I could caddy at the New Haven Country Club in the spring of my year between high school and college. Many emails were composed since then, and so many ideas turned into reality even before I had the chance to come to Hamden. Still, I always had the prospect of caddying in the back of my mind.

When I learned earlier this week that I could begin looping at the New Haven Country Club, I was excited to say the least. I spent Wednesday out on the course, pacing off yardages, sizing up greens, and jotting down numbers in a pocket notebook. I already knew the course well, but I wanted to be prepared for my first loop. 

NHCC's classic clubhouse at sunset

Fast-forward a day. I'm digging through the trunk of my car for extra layers to battle the bitter April wind. I've been told my group will tee off between noon and one, so naturally, it's one-thirty and I've already been in my caddy bib for two hours. The peanut butter crackers I brought as a snack for the turn are already gone. It's been fun talking with Alex, a new assistant pro at the club, but we're both bored. 

Finally, our group arrives. First it's Doc and Chris--two young members sporting wind jackets tough enough to handle Scotland's heaviest gales. Then Don shows up, who is Doc's father and today's host. Last it's our guests. Rounding out the five-some are Israel and Oliver Horovitz. The name Oliver Horovitz probably doesn't click with too many people, but after a brief second, I realize I've seen that name somewhere recently. Then it registers. Oliver is the author of a recently published book about his personal experiences caddying in St. Andrews, Scotland--home of the Old Course. It's titled An American Caddy in St. Andrews, and I considered buying it a few weeks ago before I had any idea I would be caddying for the author. 

I can't believe it. First, I realize that this best-selling memoir probably makes Oliver one of the most famous caddies in the world at the moment. He's been featured on Golf.com and he's been a guest on CBS's morning news show. Seeing as I can't name any caddy besides Joey LaCava, who carries Tiger's bag, I figure he's probably had more publicity than almost any looper on the PGA Tour. Second, I can't wait to pick his brain for inside information about golf in Scotland, and especially at St. Andrews. I was incredibly fortunate to spend almost a week in Scotland during the fall, and as I detailed in this blogpost, I had the chance to spend a day in St. Andrews--exploring the town and walking the Old Course. I felt like I already had a small connection to Oliver. And St. Andrews aside, he and I share the fact that we both took gap years. I believe that only those who take a gap year themselves truly understand how transformative the experience can be. Third, I think of my friend Dylan Dethier and his coming-of-age golf journey, which also inspired him to write a book, titled 18 in America. I wonder in Oliver has even heard of Dylan's book. Lastly, it clicks that I have a stern task ahead of me. Even though he's never played at New Haven before, his caddying skills are lightyears ahead of mine. I know I'll be able to fake my way around the course, but not on the greens. If he can read the greens on the Old Course, these will be no problem.

We tee off, and soon I'm having just as much fun as I did when I walked the Old Course back in October. As I steer Oliver around the course (he also had three members offering tips and hints), I start to ask questions and share my own story. The minute I explain that I'm still fully engulfed in my gap year, I sense a closer interest in Oliver. Soon, I barely notice I'm caddying. I'm having a blast showing Oliver around my newest home course. From experience, I know to avoid the impossible questions (What's being a caddy at St. Andrews like?). I always struggled to answer the "How was Germany?" question. I was often tempted to say, "Just go read my blog!" I knew I would have to go read Oliver's book to find all of my answers. I soon discover that Oliver went to Williams Golf Camp at Taconic, that his dad has had work featured in the Williamstown Theater Festival, and that professional golfers who try to hit lob wedges from seventy yards on the Old Course suddenly start to score like a ten-handicap. Oh, I also find out that he's already heard a lot about my friend Dylan and his book, and he thinks it's an awesome story.

I'm a little thankful that Oliver's golf game is a bit rusty. It's early in the season, so many of his draws come out more like hooks and the majority of putts end up short. Still, I can tell he has a serious game--one especially fit for links golf in Scotland. I give him my best yardage estimates and green reads, and we manage to make it around the course without losing a golf ball. I feel I've done enough to call this loop a success.

I've known for a long time that golf is an incredible way to connect with people, and that extends to caddying. Still, I had no idea that making such a noteworthy connection as a caddy would happen so quickly! After our round ends, Oliver disappears for a minute and returns with a signed copy of his book. I thank him and promise that I will get him a copy of 18 in America. Golf is more than just a game, and I think that both Dylan's and Oliver's stories prove that experiences out on the course are ones you keep for a lifetime.

I found myself awake at 2:00 AM that night, still reading. And now, I've finished. I can honestly say that I didn't want Oliver's stories to end. Not because they were funny or riveting or powerful; not because they painted a picture of St. Andrews so vivid that I found myself longing to return; not because they taught me so many things about the game of golf and the role of a caddy. They were all of these and more. But the biggest reason I loved the book and didn't want it to end was because I could relate to Oliver's experiences in their most fundamental state. At its core, Oliver's story is about a high school graduate uprooting for a year to have an adventure and discover something more. As spring dawns upon us, I'm getting closer to the the end of my gap year. Still, I'm very much engulfed in all of these new experiences that have made my year so transformative. It's so cool when I hear the stories of a "gap year alum," especially when they take some part of their year off and translate it into something bigger down the road. I found so many places in Oliver's book where I wholeheartedly agreed with his thoughts and feelings. I can relate to falling in love with a place thousands of miles from home. Oliver made it a point to return to St. Andrews year after year, and I know that it won't be long until I return to Germany. And you never know. Maybe I'll spend a semester abroad in Scotland, perhaps at the University of St. Andrews. I may not devote myself to caddying like Oliver, but being in Scotland sounds like a pretty cool way to spend a few months abroad.

An American Caddy in St. Andrews is an awesome book written by a really cool guy. Oliver captures a lot more than just golf in his pages. I'd certainly suggest reading it.