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In the summer of 2003 I was working at a small Italian restaurant, this was the second year in a
row that I had worked in an Italian restaruant and the 4th year that I had been in the food industry. One day my friend
Matt asked me if I wanted to go to this golf club called Burning Tree Club and try to become a caddy. I was skeptical,
but I wasn't making that much money and I had about had it with the food industry. Burning Tree Club is in Bethesda,
Maryland and it has a long and storied history. Burning Tree opened in 1923 when members at Chevy Chase Club in
Chevy Chase, Maryland were fed up with waiting to get on the course. They decided to open their own club down the street.
Presidents, Senators, Congressman have all been members. President Dwight Eisenhower had a direct line from the
oval office to the Burning Tree clubhouse. It is not easy becoming a caddy at Burning Tree. Most of the caddies
have been there for decades. When you begin going up there, the caddy master will not call your name to caddy to try
to discourage you from ever coming again, I kept going back. Eventually, I was getting loops (term for caddying 18-holes)
and making lots of money. At the end of the day it's all about making money, but I have found this to be a great learning
experience for me. In the beginning I was nervous being around corporate executives and politicians, but with time it
just becomes normal. You get to see a side of these gentleman that not too many people see. They seem to let down
their guard, they leave all of their worries at home or at work, it's like a getaway for these fellas. At this club
you have to check your ego at the door, everybody is rolling in money, you don't need to flaunt that fact. Hearing them
tell jokes, having small talk, seeing multi-millionaires act like children, it's all apart of being a caddy. I have
learned to always act like a professional even when caddying for Maryland Head Basketball Coach Gary Williams. I want
to jump an scream and tell the guy how much I love him, but I can't, I'm at work. More walking and less talking is my
motto, the senior caddies motto is don't speak unless spoken too. I work hard and efficent, but these people for the
most part don't want a caddy up in their face bothering them. If they talk to me, I talk back, otherwise I'm there to
make sure their round goes as smoothly as possible. Being young, being outside, walking, talking, getting exercise,
meeting the upper-upper class and I get paid for this? I also caddied at Paradise Valley Country Club, in Paradise Valley,
Arizona; same idea, different location, the pay was not as good, but what a view that place has. What can I say, I love
being a caddy and I learned a lot from it. To my fellow caddies at Burning Tree and to the members and guests,
I am glad I was given the opportunity to be a part of your club and I thank you
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