DOUBLE 30 Years Since I Caddied for Bob in His Win in Switzerland
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November 2006 Inside Social Golf www.insidesocialgolf.com.au November 2006 winter as the learner slopes for the (likely prompted by a bet with a finished twelve feet from the hole to London to spend time with first 36 holes he led by one over Bruce Young adjacent ski resort. mate) and stood there naked in all and his two putt par saw him take his then girlfriend and now wife Swaelens with Dale Hayes third. his glory while others carried on the title by one. Kathie, leaving me without a bag The most interesting memory of inside SocialGolf Teeing Off After 36 holes Charles lay in a drinking around him. Eventually for the German Open. The win round two was when Simon hit Editor: Rod Morri share of 7th five shots behind the the manager approached to ask “On the par four last with Charles had given me a few his ball onto the back of a green [email protected] regular brilliant South African Dale Hayes. Hobday if he would mind putting and after hitting it in the extra British pounds to ease the early in the round after which we P: (02) 4377 1337 increasing financial strain and the He shared that place with fellow something on. He obliged by middle of the fairway proceeded to help his playing contributor New Zealander Simon Owen and, promptly placing his underpants thought of having the week off to partner look for his ball. When we Senior Writer: Rob Willis among others, Rhodesian golfer on his head. Perhaps you had to from the tee, Simon visit a German girl I had met was [email protected] emerged from the trees Simon’s appealing. Just as I was planning Simon Hobday. Hobday did little be there and the impact may be asked me if I could ball had disappeared and in the Contributing Editors: else in the tournament but off somewhat lost in the translation establish exactly what how I was going to make that distance two kids were seen happen, though, I saw yet another Daniel Murphy, Glenn Whittle, Michael course he was causing quite a stir. but believe me, it was a very scurrying away. A ruling was Mosher, Mat Howe, Kristy Murphy, An unlikely funny moment for those of us he needed to do. New Zealander, Simon Owen, called for and Simon was able to David Granville, Greg Dowling packing up his gear after finishing Hobday could often be described who were there. I told him a birdie would drop a ball, where it was deemed and Bruce Young rd as eccentric but was one of the 33 that week. [email protected] win outright and a par his original had come to rest, finest ball strikers on the European The next day Hobber’s 7 told without penalty. In 2004 I got to interview Bob Charles in my role as on-course commentator as would tie. He parred and Graphic Design: Lucinda Shelley Tour. Twenty years later he would the story of the night while my I asked Simon if he had anybody he played his last New Zealand Open 50 years after winning his first. It was also working for him in Germany but [email protected] DOUBLE 30 years since I caddied for Bob in his win in Switzerland. win the US Senior Open at boss, Charles, made his move was now in a playoff Simon was round in 70 in round Pinehurst (another occasion with with a third round 67 to move into he replied that he was unsure if with Oosterhuis.” three and took a one shot lead into which I had first hand experience) a share of the lead with Hayes he wanted a tour caddy as he was National/NSW/ACT/QLD the final day. Three shots behind espite such a good result at During the course of Open Championship Copenhagen and then the final leg but I would have the opportunity and Belgiums’ Donald Swaelens. As a fellow New Zealander this a little money strapped himself. Sales Manager: was the prolific Englishman Peter Sam Arthur the World Match Play in late week I was approached by Bob Charles, of our journey to Malmo via yet that week to witness one of However, it would be the previous was a great thrill for me. To caddy In his rookie season in Europe, Oosterhuis who was, to a large P: (02) 9527 6691 F: (02) 9527 6691 1973 (where I made it all the the great left handed New Zealander, another ferry. Hobday’s larrikin exhibitions on week’s winner, Tony Jacklin, who on the other side of the world for Simon had made plenty of cuts D extent, the Colin Montgomerie of M: 0410 575 303 way to the final against Gary Player who asked whether I might be the Friday night in Crans Sur would emerge as Charles’ biggest one of my golfing heroes, and the but there was little money in those [email protected] that era. He won several Order of carrying Graham Marsh’s bag; see available to work for him in both th Sierre. threat over the closing holes of days for midfield finishes and he At the end of it all Charles finished 6 man who encouraged me and Inside Social Golf September issue), was contemplating heading back Merit titles and on Sunday of that VIC/TAS Sales Manager: the Scandinavian Enterprise Open behind Tony Jacklin (who won by an the final round. By the time we many other New Zealanders to th to New Zealand if a big finish was week produced a final round 66 Grant Manson things were beginning to tighten up in Malmo, Sweden, the next week amazing eleven shots) but the New The George and Dragon was reached the 18 , Charles had take up the game, as he won a not soon forthcoming. that had Simon under the gun. Ph: 03 9530 9990 financially for me by the time the and the Swiss Open in Crans Sur Zealander would exact his revenge an English pub in the middle of a one shot lead and I distinctly coveted European title was very [email protected] Open Championship at Lytham St Sierre the following week. I talked it on the Englishman seven days later. the ski resort town and was the remember standing in the middle special. After disappearing for a few On the par four last, after hitting it Annes came around in July of 197. over with Bob Shearer and we both Before that, however, we had another gathering place for many of the of the fairway from where he had Publisher: minutes he returned and a deal in the middle of the fairway, decided it would be an opportunity adventurous trip ahead. To get to golfers and their caddies during 130 yards to the hole. Jacklin had Now I had a decision to make. Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd Based on that result at Wentworth was struck for me to caddy for Simon asked me if I could to earn some guaranteed money and Switzerland we overnighted on the tournament week. After a few already finished his round and so Bob Shearer, who I was scheduled Director: Sam Arthur I had returned to Europe to caddy him. I felt at the time this would at establish exactly what he needed that I would return to work for him in ferry from Malmo to Puttgarden in the drinks on the Friday night, Hobday the tournament was Charles’ to to caddy for in Germany the next PO BOX 1050 for Bob Shearer in those events he least cover my expenses for the to do. I told him a birdie would Germany two weeks later. north of Germany and began the 12 decided to undress in the bar win or lose. His 9-iron approach week, had decided to head back Cronulla NSW 2230 was playing but there was now week and so we packed up the win outright and a par would tie. P: (02) 9527 6691 F: (02) 9527 6691 hour drive to the south west corner also an arrangement in place that Simon Owen won the German Open in a playoff against Peter Oosterhuis. car and headed back through the He parred and was now in a playoff [email protected] of that country. There, we put the car This photo shows him teeing off at first the playoff hole where he won the event. I would caddy for Marsh whenever “After a few drinks on tunnel into Germany with Krefeld, with Oosterhuis. (On a sidenote, on a train in order to take us through he played in Europe. That would in the very west of the country, our an English journalist took a little Subscriptions are available for $49 per year. the Friday night, the tunnel into Switzerland. While this Go to www.insidesocialgolf.com.au to register involve just three events in 197; destination. My Fraulein would bit of license with how Simon Hobday decided to may have seemed an extravagant the Open in July and later in the have to wait. got that news when writing in NSW/ACT, QLD, VIC and TAS circulation is undress in the bar, likely way of doing things, airfares in those year the Dunlop Masters and the Mark McCormack’s 197 World of guaranteed at a minimum of 35,000 copies per Piccadilly World Match Play, should days were relatively expensive and My first memory of the golf month. ISG is distributed to over 1,500 social clubs, prompted by a bet with Professional Golf.