Caddie Master at US Senior Amateur

[WUTiger]

I once caddied with Mike Smith

As a 14-year-old, Mike Smith got assigned to caddie for Jack Nicklaus in the 1971 Ryder Cup at Old Warson CC. Now, some 45 years later, Mike is capping his career in golf as caddie master for the club that just hosted another major tournament, the U.S. Senior Amateur. Mike had various other golf industry stops before returning to Warson in 1993.

Mike still caddies sometimes. During the just-completed Senior Amateur, he caddied for Randal Lewis who shot a 3-under 68 in the first stroke-play round. Here's the USGA story on Mike: Veteran Caddie

Mike was there when I caddied at Old Warson from 1968-74. I was starting college when he was starting high school. Unlike Mike, I missed the September-slated Ryder Cup because I had transferred that fall from junior college to University of Missouri. But, I had gotten a taste of the big-time the previous June when I served as fore-caddie for a National Golf Day exhibition match in which Jack Nicklaus edged English star Tony Jacklin.

Of note, both Mike and I played on the Meramec Community College golf team, although several years apart. And, Mike developed into a much better player than me.

Mike and I first reconnected in 2009 when I volunteered for the U.S. Women's Amateur at Old Warson.