CADDIE CORNER

MISCELLANY

* Approximate number of caddies used per year on the PGA Tour: 300 (Some golfers use different caddies at different events).

* How the average PGA Tour caddie earns money: On Thursday and Friday of each tournament, caddies earn a standard wage, usually $500. If the player makes the cut, his caddies get 5% of the winnings. A top 10 finish earns 7% and a win gets the caddie 10%.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

The caddies’ 10 commandments (completely unofficial, of course):

1. Thou shalt show up on time.

2. Thou shalt bring the clubs.

3. Thou shalt not show up loaded.

4. Thou shalt not fall asleep on the first tee.

5. Thou shalt pack an umbrella, even if it’s only partly cloudy.

6. Thou shalt make sure the player brings enough golf balls so he doesn’t run out with two holes to play.

7. Thou shalt pack an extra towel in the bag (see No. 5).

8. Thou shalt make sure there are always 14 and never 15 clubs in the bag.

9. Thou shalt not lose the yardage book.

10. Thou shalt not get involved with the keys to the courtesy car (that’s the player’s one responsibility . . . besides hitting the ball.)

TOP OF THEIR GAME

Who are the best caddies in the game. One way to determine that is to see who’s winning tournaments, since there is much more to being a caddie than hauling a players’ bag over a lot of golfing real estate.

There are some great professional caddies at work and her are the six best:

1. Jim “Bones” McKay

Works with Phil Mickelson . . . regarded as one of the brightest, best prepared and most professional caddies in the world.

2. Joe Lacava

Works with Fred Couples . . . low-key, even-tempered--a master at setting the golf bag down with the logo turned toward the television cameras.

3. Bruce Edwards

Works with Tom Watson . . .persevered and now, how many tournaments (33) and majors (8) has this guy won?

4. Andy Martinez

Works with Tom Lehman . . . extremely prepared, works as hard as anyone on the tour and offers top-notch club selection.

5. (Tie) Mike “Fluff” Cowan

Works with Tiger Woods . . . was good when he worked with Peter Jacobsen, but that was before Cowan got his own commercial.

5. (Tie) Tony Navarro

Works with Greg Norman . . . exudes confidence, is consistent and has the personality to handle any situation.