This past Tuesday and Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of working with PGA TOUR player Brian Gay at the PODS Championshiip at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. Tuesday was spent on the range with a few dozen of the best players in the world and on Copperhead, site of the Championship. Wednesday was spent on the Island course, with both Brian and his caddy, Kip Henley ripping shots from tee and fairway.
Now, if playing golf with your caddy seems a bit out of the ordinary for a PGA TOUR player, consider the following dossier of one Kip Henley, III:
-- Born in Crossville, Tennessee, and raised in Chattanooga.
-- Member, PGA of America, since 1988.
-- Tennessee State Open Champion, 1982 and 1987.
-- PGA Section Player of the Year, five times.
-- PGA Section Championship, three times.
-- Winner of "zillions" of other tournaments (including the self-professed runner-up in the Grassy Cove Invitational (Hint: there is no Grassy Cove Invitational and there is barely a 'Grassy Cove').
-- The Golf Channel Big Break II, winner.
Now, just what do you get when you're a Big Break II winner?
-- 4 Nationwide Tour Exemptions (best finish: -2, Missed Cut).
-- Car (Ford 500)
-- $10,000 cash.
-- Total 'take' with various endorsements -- "about $150,000."
And yes, he declared it all!
Trust me: Kip is one-of-a-kind and an all-'round good guy. He and Brian are a great team. Expect to hear more about these two...
Much more.
Meanwhile, I shot a brief video at the PODS Championship...Kip and me 'just talkin' about gettin' the job done on TOUR. We will get it up soon in the LBG Gallery.
The professional caddie is now an integral part of the PGA TOUR. Having the right person on the bag can mean the difference between winning and losing, making the cut or just another short week.
The relationship between player and caddie -- always professional and often personal -- is unique in sport. The most successful 'partnerships' are built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect.
Kip Henley gets the job done, and he gets it done right.
Just downloaded the two videos. This is great stuff my friend, thanks for sharing it with all of us. Its nice to see the other side of the ropes on the PGA Tour.
Alex
Well Lynn .... I've been pulling for "Team Blake", "Team Noel", and "Team Blackburn" week to week. Looks like I need to add "Team Blach" (consisting of Matt Blach and a player-to-be-named) to the mix now.
You have to love a guy that has a dream and is willing to do something about it.
I taped this video of Heath Slocum and his instructor, Mark Blackburn, on Tuesday of tournament week. Five days later, Heath finished T2 (by one stroke) in a starting field of 144 of the best players in the world. He shot 68-69-67-71 (275, 9-under par) and earned $466,400.
Thanks, Heath and Mark, for inviting us into your world. And thanks also to our own Bagger Lance, for bringing this video to you!
Thanks for the 'inside the ropes' view Lynn, Heath, Mark and Bagger.
I love that right forearm Heath, looks great!
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Here's a short video of Lynn's time spent with Brian Gay and others during this year's PGA Tour swing in Florida...kudos to Mr. Yoda for his fine work with both Tour Players and amateurs ....Homer would be proud.
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