Is a Caddie Important?

I’ve found it very interesting how many people think the only thing a caddie does is carry around that big heavy tour bag for the player. Tonight’s blog is going to be info about what a caddie does for a golfer…

A caddie is one of the golfer’s most important tools…and while she/he does carry the bag if necessary, there are numerous other functions they perform! I’m going to use the term “she” as I am a female 😉

1. She knows yardage…this includes yardage from tee to green and where bunkers and fairway hazards are.
2. She knows her players game as well as, if not better than, he knows it himself. She has studied his shots, seen his tendencies and knows his strengths and weaknesses.
3. She checks the weather for the scheduled day of the tournament…and takes into account what the weather variations will do to the flight of the ball.
4. She talks to the staff at the course to find out the “secrets”…does everything slope a certain way? Are the greens particularly slow or fast? What is the sand like?
5. She has to keep her player in the right frame of mind. Caddie and golfer have a history together and a caddie can break the tension her golfer may be experiencing with just a few well timed humerous words.
6. The caddie is also there to run interference. This can be crowd control, this can be stopping other players from getting in her golfer’s head, or allowing others to make suggestions during play.
7. Standard pay for a caddie is 10% of the players winnings, although the player may choose to give more for a big win.
8. Caddies practice with their players and travel with them to tournaments. Even though players have a lot of buddies on tour, the reality is every player is ultimately out for themselves and in the end, they know they can count on their caddie.
9. Caddies help read greens with their golfer and instill a level of confidence with shots.
10. Extras I do as a caddie: I clean the grooves in the golf clubs, wipe down the grips and make sure a new golf ball is ready at all times (and clean the grungy one on the green). I pack snacks and drinks to keep Ron’s energy level up during his round. I bring icy cold rags to cool him down during the hot summer nights. I hold the umbrella when it’s raining. On top of all that…yes, when playing in a tournament where no carts are allowed, I carry that big tour bag.

Being a caddy is a very rewarding experience. Sure, you occasionally get blamed for a misread green, and a caddie certainly takes the brunt of the player’s frustration…but the teamwork and trust in the partnership is what makes it an amazing experience!

An Update…due to multiple requests

When I began this blog, I had no idea the following it would create. I want to first thank everyone who takes the time to visit my site, check out linked pages and give a HUGE thank you to all of you who actually send me comments and encouragement as well! I know my blogging has been less over the past few weeks and I appreciate those of you have contacted me wanting an update…so here it goes…

Golf is a constantly evolving profession. The pressures of daily life sometimes become overwhelming and can affect everyone associated with a golfer’s career. It’s true I haven’t been on the course with Ron the past few weeks (as many of you have clearly noticed) but that doesn’t mean we aren’t still an effective team. Mini tour players don’t always need a caddie during their rounds because they often get to ride carts…and sometimes players have to step back and re-establish their confidence with their own choices on the course.

As for the marketing and fundraising I do for Ron…well that’s a portion of the package that most golfers don’t actually want to have to deal with. That’s where I still come in. So please…continue to visit his web site and consider sponsoring Ron for an upcoming tournament!

Other updates…Ron has changed clubs and is now using the PING S-56’s…and says he is hitting them better than ever!

Again, thank your continued support and interest in Ron’s career. To answer a few questions: Yes, there will be more fitness suggestions posted this upcoming week…yes, Ron does plan to try out for more PGA qualifying events…yes, Ron practices several hours daily, even in this bad AZ heat. To those of you who have requested to see pictures of us in action on the course together, I will see what I can do. 😉

Stay hydrated out there and happy golfing!

Summer Time Lessons

Looking for something fun to do this summer? 

Golf Lessons can be a wonderful way to spend your days!  Ron is an excellent teacher and really spends time with each student, observing individual golf styles and working to customize every lesson to suit individual needs.

Who would benefit from Golf Lessons?

• Current Golfers wanting to learn new techniques or work on specific parts of their game
• Anyone new to the sport of golf, needing to learn the basics
• Summer visitors who want a chance to spend some time outdoors
• Couples who want a fun date afternoon
• Kids who are out of school and interested in the sport of golf

Private lessons and buddy lessons are available and we will customize your lesson plan to exactly what works best for you…whether it’s just a one time lesson or it’s a package.  Multiple lesson discouts are given during the summer months too!

For Adults, Ron charges an hourly rate, although he always spends additional time with each student.

For Youth (17 and under), Ron generally gives 45 minute lessons.  Youth lessons can be extra fun when two or three kids come out together and take buddy lessons.

Couples lessons can be a fantastic way to spend a day out together…everyone benefits from a little healthy competition.  A fun learning environment will be created for you and your partner!

Additionally, specialty lessons focusing on skills such as chipping, putting, and course ettiquette are also offered.

For more information, check out Ron’s website at:  www.ronmontoyagolf.webs.com and click on the link called Lessons.  There you will find his posted annual rates…summer discounts may apply, so don’t hesitate to ask!  We love referrals, and you will love the benefits of referring clients too!

The Time is Now…

If you are one of the dozens of people who have said you’d like to give support to Ron’s Professional Golf career, there has never been a better time to step up and get involved! I’ve noticed that quite often, people hesitate to donate because they think they can’t make a big enough impact financially. Well guess what my friend’s, no donation is too small. Additionally, there are people who sometimes keep waiting because they are expecting a big amount of money to free up which they can in turn donate…but we aren’t greedy, lol. Little bits at a time are just fine too!

Here’s an example many of us can relate to: let’s say someone is a fast food junkie…they decide to cut ONE day per week of their unhealthy eating habit and put that money aside (and choose to eat a healthier meal also on that one day)…at the end of the month they not only save about $35 but they actually drop a few pounds! If they donated $20 of the saved food dollars to the golf fund, they could used the other $15 to go to a matinée movie with a friend or some other little treat for themselves. Sounds like a cool idea!

Just think…something so simple can make a huge difference!

Reasons to get involved now:
> Ron is playing the best golf of his life
> Ron’s mental focus and physical stamina are very refined
> This is the main part of the touring season
> You can earn money AND gain exposure by supporting Ron
> Its fun to know a professional athlete

There are many other reasons to get involved but HERE IS A BIG INCENTIVE for those of you who like a little guarantee on your investments: For those who contribute towards entry fees into a specific tournament, your contribution will be refunded if Ron wins the event or places in the top 3! Yes…you read that correctly…it’s kinda like a “loan” that gets repaid!!

So many options…and again, no amount is too small (or too large, Hehe). If you Click on the Donations link, you can make a donation via PayPal and it will be put towards tournament entry fees right away! If you’d like to fund a specific event, make a note of that as well. Thanks again and have a great day!

Life goes on after qualifying rounds

I know many of you have been anxiously waiting for an update on the US Open qualifier Ron competed in on the 12th.  While he actually had a very good round of golf, he unfortunately did not make it in the top 7 spots…which is what was needed to continue on to the Sectional Qualifier.

Disappointing…yes.  Learning experience…YES!  Motivation for the next event…YES YES YES!!!

Some really valuable lessons came out of this:

•  First, we learned that walking the courses is so much better than riding in golf carts.  There are several reasons for this including not getting stiff between holes, having ample time to discuss the next shot and strategy, and most importantly, it kept us mentally in-tune and relaxed.  I have to say that even though Ron did not qualify, his mental presence was fantastic during this round. 
• Another lesson learned was trusting the shot 100% and knowing we can count on his abilities to hit precisely where he needs to.  That may sound simple, but it’s not.  For those of us who are just hackers, striving to break 100 and just have a lot of ‘fun’ on the course, we hope we can hit our irons in the general vicinity where we need to and stay in play.  For a Professional Golfer, there is no doubt what distance each club is going, that the ball can be worked to fade, draw, cut, flop, run-out, spin back, land soft, (and many other options too)…that’s his job…and he has refined his skills to perform that job.  The kicker is the mental space and making sure that’s working in unison with the rest of his body.  Not letting a doubt or altered thought creep into his mind during a golf shot has allowed Ron to advance his game even more.
• When the pressure is on…jokes ease the tension!  We knew this…afterall, we are constantly joking and messing with each other during practice rounds, but until this tournament, we’ve stayed more rigid during events.  Well…lightbulb…staying relaxed keeps the game fun and the attitudes positive!  We had the good fortune of being paired with a very cool guy who joined in on the joking, along with his caddie, toward the end of the round.  It’s always such a pleasure to pair up with fun people on Tour!
• People quit…Ron will NEVER be one of them!  One of the guys in the pairing (it was all 3-player pairings for this event), withdrew after 9 holes…ouch.  Now granted, there is some rule about being banned from PGA events if you shoot over a certain score and maybe this guy felt he was in jeopardy going into the back 9.  Regardless, having a fellow golfer withdraw mid-round actually does impact the other people he was golfing with.  Ron managed to block that out and continue playing well.

So what’s next on the agenda?  Fundraising and mini Tour!  There is a 3-day event here in Arizona, at the end of the month that would be a great opportunity for him.  There’s decent money to be made in 3-day events and again, great experience and exposure for future touring.  As always, thanks for your continued support and stay tuned for more exciting golf news!

Lets Be on TV!

Professional Golfer...Ron Montoya

 

With the US Open Championship just around the corner, you are about to be presented with a unique opportunity to see your name on TV!  “Wow, Kim, see my own name on TV you say?  How is that possible?”  Well I will tell you…when you help support Ron, you get recognized…and its as simple as that.

 

Just think…seeing your personal name or your business name on national TV!  If you have a company, there’s nothing better than global marketing to boost your public interest…and if you are a private individual, imagine how fun it will be to see your name proudly displayed on both Ron and my golf shirts during the events!

 

Here’s how this works…

1. Contact Us.  Yeah, pretty straightforward, lol.  You can either contact me through this blog site, Ron through his website, or if you know us personally, just give one of us a call.
2. Make a donation.  Sometimes people like to do one-time donations, and sometimes people like to make ongoing contributions.  We are thankful for any type of financial support you are able to give, whether its $35 or $1000 or more.  For the shirt deal (which means your name is embroidered on the sleeves of our golf shirts), you will want to make a $150 donation by May 20th.  By doing this, you will ensure your name is placed on our shirts for the Sectional Qualifier and also worn to the actual Open when Ron *fingers crossed* qualifies!
3. Want to do more?  For just a little bit more, we will have your name or business name/logo placed on Ron’s PING Tour bag!  This is a very visual way to have your information displayed and sure to generate interest about you.  We will be happy to endorse your company when asked about it too!  This opportunity is available for a $500 donation.  In addition, there is a whole list of Sponsorship Opportunities that you can look at, directly on Ron’s website.  We offer something for everyone and every budget, whether you are a part of a large corporation, a small business owner, or even a private investor looking to help out an athlete trying to make it in the pro’s.  Check out http://www.ronmontoyagolf.webs.com/ for more information!
4. Come watch some golf!  You are always welcome to stop by on tournament day and show your support in person.  We love meeting and visiting with golf fans.

So that’s it, folks…pretty simple!  Again, every little bit helps, so whether it’s big or small, your donations will be put to very good use and who knows, you can even see your name on national television come June 16th! 

 

20 “Laws” of Golf

I came across a list of golf laws that I thought were rather humorous.  I’ve slightly modified a few of them to be more fitting to what I witness daily out there on the course and range…but for everyone who actually golfs or attempts to golf, you will most likely be able to relate to a good number of these.  This really has nothing to do with me being a Caddie or Ron being a Pro, but I wanted to share the laughter…

So here I present…The 20 Laws of Golf

1: No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come.  This law does not expire on the 18th hole…it has the supernatural tendency to extend over the duration of a tournament, a summer and eventually, a lifetime.

LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever.The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.

LAW 3: Brand new golf balls are water-magnetic. Although this cannot be proven in the lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water.

LAW 4: Golf balls refuse to bounce off of trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut down.

LAW 5: No matter what causes a golfer to blow a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant “You looked up,” OR “well you had a bad lie”, or they risk invoking the wrath of the universe.

LAW 6: The higher a golfer’s handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor.  This is especially the case when men decide to take their girlfriends out for a little practice on the range and proceed to show them “how to hit the ball” with absolutely no idea how to correctly teach.

LAW 7: Every par-three hole in the world has a secret desire to humiliate golfers. The shorter the hole, the greater its desire.

LAW 8: Topping a 3-iron is the most painful torture known to man.

LAW 9: Palm trees eat golf balls…so do tumble-weeds. (see photo below)

LAW 10: Sand is alive.  If it isn’t, how do you explain the way it works against you?

LAW 11: Golf carts always run out of juice at the farthest point from the clubhouse.

LAW 12: A golfer hitting into your group will always be bigger than anyone in your group.  Likewise, a group you accidentally hit into will consist of a football player, a professional wrestler, a convicted murderer and an IRS agent — or some similar combination.

LAW 13: All 3-woods are demon-possessed.

LAW 14: Golf balls from the same “sleeve” tend to follow one another, particularly out of bounds or into the water (Recall Law three).

LAW 15: A severe slice is a thing of awesome power and beauty.  This is at least what guys say in an attempt to play off the terrible tee-shot that landed in another fairway…”that’s how I like to fade the ball, I was just lined up a little wrong”…um, sure.

LAW 16: “Nice lag” can usually be translated to “lousy putt.”  Similarly, “tough break” can usually be translated “way to miss an easy putt, sucker.”  What usually follows is the golfer standing and staring at his ball sitting next to the hole, as if to convey the message that an invisible force field came up and surrounded the cup and intentionally deflected his putt because there’s no way the line he saw could have been wrong.

LAW 17: The person you would most hate to lose to will always be the one who beats you.  If you really hate to lose to them, they will be sure to gloat the most.

LAW 18: The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.  Never breathe a sigh of relief on the 17th hole because the golf gods hear this and toy with you.

LAW 19: Golf should be given up at least twice per month.

LAW 20: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until the sunset.

Tumbleweed devouring a golf ball at Superstition Springs...Law 9 in action!