The Barclays Pro Am Story

Wednesday of tournament week means one thing: pro-am day. Unless you are Jim Furyk and miss your 7.30am tee tine because your alarm clock didn’t work. That earned Furyk a DQ from the tournament, too. You snooze, you lose.

The Barclays pro-am had a twist this year. Military Appreciation Day meant 54 members representing all branches of the military became caddies for the day. Well, for one hole, anyway. They took over from the players’ regular loopers to carry the tour bag up the 18th.

The galleries around the 18th tee were swelling as Justin Rose played through. The Englishman is a popular player but the crowds were there not for him but for Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson coming up behind him. Rose, ever the gentleman, signed autographs and posed for photographs with members of the military. His caddie was Petty Officer Bernard Dandridge, serving as a cook at Earle Naval Weapons Base, N.J. He had never even been on a golf course before, let alone thought about playing. But he knew a bit about Rose. Sorta. “He’s one of the up-and-comers,” Dandridge said. “He’s won a major hasn’t he?” Well, not yet but he has won twice on the PGA Tour this season and is 5th in FedExCup points. “We’re saving the majors for next year,” Rose’s proper caddie, Mark Fulcher, interjected. Dandridge has been cooking in the military for 19 years. He leaves next year to go back to school then hopefully get a job as a chef. “You guys are
awesome,” Dandridge said to Rose. “Hope you win. I’m definitely gonna give golf a try now.”

So who got to caddie for Woods and Mickelson? Who got to be Stevie Williams and Jim (Bones) Mackay for one hole? US Coast Guard Petty Officer Bob Chmielewksi got to take Tiger up the final hole of his first round as a new single man following the announcement on Tuesday of the divorce settlement between Tiger and Elin. Lieutenant Colonel Brian Bosworth, based at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. caddied for Mickelson. Bosworth is a 14 handicapper who claims he doesn’t play as much as he would like because military matters keep him way to busy. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

Chmielewski got swallowed up in Team Tiger and the wall of security guards and Nike employees that keep the public away from the World No.1. The only hats that were signed on the tee were by his caddie. It’s the next best thing. But Tiger did stop to sign autographs behind the 18th green – a scenario so rare it almost set off a stampede as fans surged forward for his signature. Maybe this really is a new start for the divorced Woods. Maybe he will continue to make more of an effort to interact with his fans. That’s a promise he made in November.

Mickelson is a different animal. He is more comfortable than Woods at stopping, signing and chatting. He got a round of applause at the 18th tee for inviting a group of military inside the ropes for a team photograph. “Thanks for all you do,” Mickelson shouted to the servicemen and women around the tee. “That’s a gentleman, right there,” said one military voice in the crowd. “That’s why he’s Phil Mickelson.” The World No.2 was late for his press conference after his round. No rule to say this is a DQ. Especially as he was signing autographs for 30 minutes behind the 18th green – a scenario so regular that pretty much anyone who wants an autograph gets one. Sheer class.

Watching in awe were his pro-am playing partners, Bob Diamond, president of Barclays, Samuel Palmisano, president of IBM, and New York Mayor, Mike Bloomberg. Team Mickelson’s 10 under par was not good enough to win but there is no truth to rumours that Mayor Bloomberg is demanding a recount. No babies were hugged or kissed by Mickelson but Bloomberg better hope the World No.2 never decides to run for office. Forget Raymond, Everybody Loves Lefty.