Sankaty Head's Caddie Camp In Golf World

It's not posted online, but hopefully you non-subscribers have a dentist who gets Golf World, because Jeff Silverman's feature on Sankaty Head's caddie camp is a real eye opener on so many levels. I'd love to hear what others thought, but not only was it a super read with tremendous photography from the husband-wife team of Jensen Larson Photography who were there when fire broke out at the camp.

But way beyond the fire episode, the story serves as a reminder of what kind of role caddying can play in someone's life and based on the way caddies have become such a part of the fabric of the place, highlights Sankaty Head as a club worth admiring.

The only downer? The camp has produced just two future members, though as Silverman explained in an email when I asked, this is attributable to location more than economics or socioeconomics.

Given Sankaty's location, it's not really surprising. Nantucket's not just a hike, it's a commitment -- away from everything and a ferry, too, so the only way the club makes sense is if you're actually living on the island for a good portion of the summer, and have a real interest in golf, which not all the caddie campers do.

Anyhow, it's a must read. 

Comments

[RickABQ]

I was not into golf as a youth, nor was I of the country-club set, so I had no idea of the jobs as caddies available particularly back then to kids. This article was a good read, well-photographed (you got that right, Geoff!), and clearly spoke of the long-term values of learning to caddy and learning to live with others in close quarters. There are a lot of comments on this blog on the negative effects of high-tech equipment, focusing on balls, grooves, driver heads, new materials, etc. The golf cart should also be thrown into this discussion as well. Not nearly enough people walk, particularly out here in the Southwest. To my knowledge the closest course to ABQ with caddies is Doak's CommonGround in Denver - a tad far for my son to work for the summer. After reading this, I can see where he is missing out on growth opportunities during the teen years by not working as a caddie. Too bad the clubs here in ABQ don't use them. Nice article!

[beagle]

Rick,

A good golf work opportunity for teenagers are university golf camps if you live near a school that has one. Not exactly caddying, but some good golf-related summertime work.

[Del the Funk]

"...so the only way the club makes sense is if you're actually living on the island for a good portion of the summer, and have a real interest in golf, which not all the caddie campers do."

About $10,000,000 liquid helps too.

How much do these caddies get for a loop? (apologies if that info is in the article, I have not had a chance to read it yet)

[RickABQ]

Del - IIRC (I have tossed the article) there was a statement that some caddies could make up to $10K during the "season". I am not sure if the terms season and summer are used interchangeably in this article.... I don't think it was broken down by loop. Of course, I have slept since I read the article several days ago....

[Twitchy]

I caddied at Sankaty for 7 Summers - it is quite the experience!

As for length of a "summer" or "season" it depends! Staff members/older campers arrive shortly after college gets out (Early June) where High Schoolers do not arrive to Mid/Late June. Some boys stay through labor day others leave 2/3 week in August.

As to former caddies being members - yes Nantucket is far away but after spending so much quality time on island as a youth it is a must as often as i can (haven't been in three years). Membership is out of reach for many former caddies as we come from mostly working class families and do not have frequent access to the course - however, it would be great if once a season playin opportunities, even for a fee, were offered to former caddies. Even if severly restricted such as Tuesday and Wednesday only after noon for 50 bucks.

It is a great experience! The membership is wonderful to the caddies and truly act as extended family.