20 year PGA Tour Caddie Mark Huber

Boeing Classic – Champions Tour – Snoqualmie, WA
We were more impressed with the vistas than the golf course when the Champions Tour first stopped here six years ago. The Jack Nicklaus signature course was designed for selling high end real estate but the layout stretching over three or four distinct ridges, across a couple deep ravines, and a precipice bordering quite a few fairways has turned into one of my favorite courses. 2006 was my last trip, my how it has matured.
In 2006 my buddy Todd and I camped along the Snoqualmie River a few miles below the breathtaking falls, this year I stayed in a renovated bordello about 500 yards from our campsite. The shower was down the hall and I had the place to myself, I thought, until I stepped into the hallway partially draped in a towel and an elderly lady was trying to unlock her door. Luckily a bit of quickness came from somewhere; I ducked behind the door and waited for her to get situated.
That was about the only excitement for the week off the course in the Fall City, North Bend, and Snoqualmie area. It’s quiet and the locals spend a lot of time fishing, hiking, floating the river and sipping cold ones at the Frontier Saloon. My boss, Bob Gilder, took Tuesday off and hiked Mt. Rainier with his wife, Fred Funk, and Mike Goodes. I spent the day hiking the course, refreshing my yardage book notes, and familiarizing myself with the rambling greens. We were in both pro-ams but spent more time having fun than playing serious golf.
Bob has been playing well the last few weeks and I was looking forward to a profitable tournament. However, Wednesday’s efforts were rather disappointing, hiking injuries were to blame and he had trouble keeping his drives out of the deep rough. We weren’t overly concerned and after an extended therapy session in the tour fitness trailer things were much better Thursday afternoon. The only thing missing was our amateur partners tipping skills; all were great guys but they had rather short arms with long pants pockets.
I apologize because there should be no complaints about the Boeing Classic. The sponsors, tournament staff, and volunteers can’t do enough for us. Our hospitality tent sitting on the practice tee, complete with couches, flat screen TV, with a catered meal every day is as good as it gets anyplace on tour. The icing was $200 gift certificates from Costco and Nordstrom’s waiting for us Sunday morning. In my 22 years I can’t remember a better gift from any tournament, it was greatly appreciated.
Birdie out of the box was nice and we flirted with the top five all day before finishing two under just out of top ten. We struggled on the par fives but never missed a fairway the first two days. If a few putts would have fallen, everybody says that I think, we’d have been in great shape. Saturday we were paired with Mike Reid and Larry Mize, two great guys but rather methodical players. Bob’s a quick player, the slow pace of play destroyed his rhythm and we struggled finishing with a 71, three under for the festivities going into Sunday.
The old bordello was full for the weekend so I moved in with Storm and Jo King along the Raging River in Issaquah. A bunch of caddies hooked up with these wonderful folks fifteen years ago on Black Rock Beach in Maui. We’ve always kept in touch and they are our hosts when passing through this area. Friday night was ribs, fresh green beans and dressing, Saturday I was on my own so I spent the evening thinking about the 67 we needed Sunday for a top five finish.
There was a 67 in our group Sunday but it came from Mike Reid’s bag. His birdie putt on the last hole Saturday secured our Sunday pairing along with Dave Rummells, who eagled the first hole every day of the tournament. We chipped in for birdie on the first, knocked it close on five for a tap in birdie, and had 87 yards to the par five eighth licking our chops with sand wedge in our hand. The club head bounced off the hard fairway sculling the ball into the back bunker. We had no shot, chipped out sideways, and three putts later we had our double bogey.
Even par the rest of the round left us at three under. It could have been a lot better but it was a good week over all. Bob asked me to work a couple more tournaments but I’m off to Pebble Beach working for Jim Roy. At the moment he’s second alternate but should get in the tournament.
Take care.
Mark

P.O. Box 1252
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(c) 414-779-0429
markskaddykorner@gmail.com
www.MarksKaddyKorner.com