How To Go From Average Joe To Professional Caddie On A National Golf Circuit

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Have you ever wondered what it would be like to carry the bag of a professional golfer? What advice would you share? How would you react when things went poorly? How could you impact their finishing place?

Jake Woodward lives in Utah County and enjoys the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. He works in commercial real estate and is fixated on developing as a business leader and man.

He is in his early 40’s, is married, and has a number of children. Lives in a lovely house and loves spending time with his family creating memories that will last a lifetime.

We have found Kendra Dalton on the 7th hole. This is her approach. She made bogey to return to even on the day and +1 overall. pic.twitter.com/9QhW3hCP1c

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 23, 2021

But as Woodward has grown with age, his curiosity has also sparked an interest in caddying.

After speaking to a long-time friend and readying and watching anything he could get his hands on as it relates to caddying, he decided he was going to make something happen.

Woodward heard that the Symetra Tour, the pathway to the LPGA Tour, was going to be in Hurricane, Utah earlier this year. Normally, caddies can wait in the parking lot and speak to the golfers as they arrive earlier in the week to see if they needed any help. But, given that the world had changed drastically due to COVID-19, Woodward was told by the LPGA that he would not be allowed to do that this year.

So, he took a different approach.

He found his inner millennial and went to social media and simply began private messaging golfers who would be in town that week. After messaging roughly 50 players, he received responses from 25 and ultimately found his player.

Kendra Dalton, best known for her remarkable career at Bringham Young University a few years prior.

Woodward could not believe that Dalton didn’t have anybody on the bag considering how close she was to where she excelled as a college player.

But nonetheless, he jumped at the opportunity. Then, for three consecutive days, he walked inside the ropes alongside Dalton, helping guide her to a T45 finish.

It was eye-opening, awe-inspiring, and everything that he had hoped for.

“It ended up being a fantastic experience for both Kendra and I,” Woodward said. “She is an outstanding player, so it was great.”

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