How a Florida caddie program (at a PGA of America pet project) is changing lives

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — There are lots of ways for high schoolers to make money these days. They can babysit, walk dogs, bag groceries, wait on tables, mow lawns and caddie at a public golf course.

Wait, what? Caddie at a public golf course?

More than a dozen teenagers are making good money – with an eye on a college scholarship – at The Park, the former West Palm Beach Country Club that was reimagined and rebuilt three years ago through an effort led by former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

Club officials chose The Park as the new name because they wanted it to sound inviting to the community. They hoped to attract young golfers, minorities and families who don’t normally play the sport.

When Brian Conley became The Park’s general manager in 2023, he had several “must-haves” for the facility that had been closed for five years.

“One of them was to develop a junior caddie program,” Conley said. “We were confident we could build a caddie yard that would support a junior caddies program.”

Having caddies is common for area high-end, private golf courses such as Seminole, The Bear’s Club, Medalist and McArthur. Not so much at public facilities, where golfers don’t usually have deep pockets and a desire for someone to carry their clubs. Conley realized his idea was playing into a two-club wind, in golf speak.

“There’s caddie yards all over South Florida, but not at a public golf course,” Conley said. “We kind of knew going in, we’re going to have that stigma to start. ‘What public golf course can have a caddie program? Nobody’s going to pay for it. Nobody’s going to use them.’ ”

Now imagine starting a junior caddie program. But Conley persisted, making caddie manager Dean Casello one of his first hires and telling him he wanted to introduce young loopers to the game.

“The kids are getting exposed to different types of backgrounds, types of golf, successful businessmen and women,” Casello said. “And they make good money – $70 for each round, plus they get a small salary from the club.”

Young caddies eligible for paid college education through Evans Scholars

Youth caddies pose at The Park (left to right) Matthew Krezwick, Joseph Roads, Sophia Enriquez, Coco Jimerson, Rafael Carmoega.

Plus, and this is a big plus, the young caddies are eligible to have their college education paid for through the Evans Scholars Foundation, which awards full tuition and housing scholarships to promising young caddies with financial need.

Currently, seven South Florida residents receive free education (and housing) at universities across the country as Evans Scholars. Some of them have been helped by the local First Tee-Gold Coast.

“These programs are about more than golf. They are about opening doors,” said Jupiter resident Jack Druga, vice-president of development at the ESF. “Florida is a key growth region for us, and we are excited to work alongside clubs and community partners who believe in giving young people meaningful opportunities through caddying.”

The junior caddie program also is growing among Treasure Coast golf clubs. The Western Golf Association, which oversees the ESF, recently partnered with the Indian River Golf Foundation in Vero Beach to train and place eight students at clubs, including RedStick Golf Club, Quail Valley Golf Club, John’s Island Club and The Moorings at Hawk’s Nest.

New caddies must undergo a 4-day training program at The Park

A newcomer can’t start caddying immediately. Casello utilizes a four-day training program at The Park that continues until the junior caddies show they’re capable of handling the job.

“We’ll go over many different parts of caddying, from carrying a golf bag to reading a green to caddie and player interactions,” Casello said.

Once they learn the basics, the young loopers will shadow veteran caddies on the course for two days. Then they’ll carry the bag for another caddie or employee. The final step is passing a caddie quiz.

After they start caddying, they’ll get a rating from the player. The caddie must earn a rating of four (out of five) to continue caddying. Because they are in high school, they only caddie on the weekend during school and throughout the week in the summer – and they must be at least 15.

Casello said it’s not essential a caddie plays golf or has a background in the sport, but many do. Sophia Enriquez, a 16-year-old Wellington resident, played two seasons at King’s Academy and has a 6 handicap, but now studies online.

“It’s just a joy being out with people,” Enriquez said. “I’m young, but I have a lot of knowledge about golf, so I’m able to help other people have fun and just be out on the course in the sun. The money is nice, but it’s not just about the money. It’s fun being on the golf course. I make friends through the caddie program, so that’s even better.”

What would be best is someday earning an Evans Scholarship to pay for their college. Enriquez’s goal is to go to law school and become a sports agent.

“It would mean a lot,” she said of earning a scholarship. “I’m a very determined girl, almost to a fault. I’m too hard on myself, but I want to do well at what I’m doing 100 percent of the time. I would like to get out of what I’m putting into caddying.”

Another junior caddie, Joe Roads of West Palm Beach, attends Suncoast High. Despite being relatively new to the game, he has an 11 handicap and wants to study finance or accounting.

“I’m not the best player, but I’m emerging,” Rhoads said. “I’m two years into the game and I’m happy to be out here. I love interacting with people and being able to provide a good, catchy service to those who want to play golf.”

When asked what he wants from his caddies, GM Conley gave a surprising answer.

“Have fun,” he said. “Like everything else here, just have fun. It’s a game, it’s golf. Treat it as a job. Treat it with respect, obviously. But if they have fun, you’re gonna have fun.”

If you’re interested in helping fund scholarships for junior caddies, the third annual Rosie ProAm – named in honor of former Palm Beach Post golf writer Tim Rosaforte — will be held at Old Marsh May 3-4 and has dozens of golf auction items such as foursomes to local private clubs, lessons and signed memorabilia. To bid, go to www.RosieProAm.com. The auction closes May 4. The Rosie ProAm has raised $400,000.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Junior caddies eligible for Evans Scholars college scholarships

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