MICHELOB LIGHT OPEN

KINGSMILL RESORT

WILLIAMSBURG VA 

My player this week is Yu Ping Lin

Monday: I  had my first look at the course and it's outstanding. There is a good variety of holes with fast greens and deep rough. There are a few holes with 2 lines (a white line is put on the tee indicating from where we will play) so the distance will vary. If it goes down to the wire, look for the last 3 holes to decide the winner especially if the 17th is played from the back tee.

First class is the way I would describe the tournament operations. All the experience of running a PGA event has made our arrival pleasant and enjoyable. 

I worked the qualifier for Diane Irvin but failed to make the grade. She shot a 73 and missed by 3.

Tuesday: The players have breakfast prepared in the morning and enjoy a hospitality area later in the day. The caddies were treated to an impromptu all you can eat lunch of burgers and dogs.

Played our practice round with Young Kim. Her coach, Jonathan, is her caddy but twice during the day she carried her own bag for half a hole just to get a little exercise. When I pointed this out to Yu Ping she wouldn't'  follow Young Kim's lead. This course is a healthy walk even without 40 lbs on your back.

I pulled a little caddy trick on Yung Kim while she carried the bag. While walking up a hill I stayed behind her and held her bag down. You would be surprised how little resistance you can apply to make it feel much heavier. Unfortunately she caught on quickly and returned the favor five fold.! There was another man with us, maybe a relative, who carried her bag on most of the back 9 to spell Jonathan. I could only dream this would happen to me.

Keep an eye on her. She has a great swing and hits it a long way for her size.

Wednesday: Colin and Jason, Tour Caddies with wins this year, threw a party last night at a local restaurant for players and caddies. Beer and appetizers were provided. Long on beer and short on appetizers but it was well appreciated.

We are alternating for the Pro-Am at 11:30 but had to be at the course at 6:00. Yu Ping picked up a new driver after yesterday's round and wanted to try it on the course. Six drives and 2 holes later we headed back in. She determined her old and new driver were about the same and decided not to change. It's all part of the job.

Finished alternating without getting in. Thank goodness! The format was a Shamble. The pro plays her own ball and the amateurs play  a modified scramble. Part playing their own ball and part scramble. Estimated time to play was between 5 hrs 15 min and 6 hrs.

Thursday: Shot a good 3 over. Only hit 6 fairways. Played with Barb Mucha, also +3, and Kelly Booth +9.The rough is brutal so Yu Ping's short game is what saved the day.

The caddie bibs are color coded so the fans know who's hitting. A nice touch.

Playing late tomorrow. Hope we miss the rain.

Friday: Perfect weather starting out. Hardly any wind. Yu Ping hit it much better today carding a one under par round. Mooch shot +3 missing the cut by one. She hit it great but was snake bit with the putter. Kelly Booth continued struggling with a +7 for the day.

Had a slight rain delay as a thunderstorm passed through but we all finished.

Each caddy received a Michelob watch and pen after the round. What a class act this event turned out to be.  

Looks like rain most of the day tomorrow. Hope their wrong.

Joanne Carner let her caddy (Quack) go after the round today. Too bad, Quack can't work a full schedule and Big Mamma was the perfect bag.

Saturday: Cool, breezy and a little mist in the air greeted us this morning. Made the course play longer but the greens more receptive.

This time it was us that was snake bit. No birdies resulted in a 4 over par round. We played with Heather Daily-Donofrio who started out a little shaky but settled down with a respectable one over.

After the round I was interviewed by Jim Ducibella, sports writer for The Virginian Pilot. He ran across my website and might do a story.

Looking forward to tomorrow. An under par round will gain a lot of ground.

Sunday: Shut out again! No birdies. Shot 4 over again and tied for 59th. The other member of our twosome, Angela Stanford, shot a steady even par.

Wrap-up: Kudos to everyone involved with this event. This is the best I've ever caddied in. Now I know how royalty is treated. Their goal was to make sure all the top players will return in following years and I'm sure they've succeeded.