Breaking par by overcoming her apprehension

Breaking par by overcoming her apprehension

I never belonged to a country club, so when the coach of the all boys varsity Hewlett High School golf team that I was on announced that caddie training was the following night, March 16, 2016, I was not quite sure what to think.

I eventually learned that this job is far different than portrayed by Hollywood caddies. Frankly, the job is quite demanding.”

Renee Nakkab, caddie

I never belonged to a country club, so when the coach of the all boys varsity Hewlett High School golf team that I was on announced that caddie training was the following night, March 16, 2016, I was not quite sure what to think.

My knowledge of a caddie’s job was primarily learned through movies like “Caddyshack” and “Happy Gilmore,” in retrospect, not the best teachers. However, these movies portrayed caddies as people who knew the ins and outs of the golf course, in addition to the ins and outs of their golfer.

My thoughts began to race: Why not? What is the worst thing that can happen? I am always ready to try something new. With these thoughts in mind, I decided to attend.

Upon walking into the Rockaway Hunting Club in Lawrence for the training seminar, imagine my surprise when the 30 people sitting in the chairs preparing to listen to the instructor were all male.

In my pink sweater and long brown hair, I stood out like a sore thumb. Not letting this deter me, I sat front row and listened intently throughout the entirety of the session. At the end, I saw a group of guys surrounding a man who I later found out to be the Caddie Master, the manger of the caddies.

I was always taught that if you want something in life, you have the be the one to make it happen. Once they dispersed, I walked over to him and introduced myself. “When do I start?” I asked with all the strength and determination I could muster.

After some minor hesitation on his part, our conversation began to flow and before I knew it, I landed my first job. A wave of excitement washed over me, and the following Sunday, around 6:45 a.m., I walked back into the Rockaway Hunting Club.

“I am surprised you showed up,” the Caddie Master greeted me. Wanting to suppress any uncertainty, I squared my shoulders, looked him in the eyes and said: “Well don’t be, I am here and ready to work.”

Two years later, I have spent every Sunday from April to September caddying at the club. I eventually learned that this job is far different than portrayed by Hollywood caddies. Frankly, the job is quite demanding.

A caddie carries either one or two bags a loop that weigh up to 30 pounds each. After four hours in the grueling sun, climbing up hills, and consistently having to be positioned in front of the golfer, caddies always have to be on their “A game.”

What’s more, a caddie could wait 10 minutes to several hours before he or she is assigned to a golfer, which tends to lead to overwhelming boredom. This boredom, although categorically a nightmare, creates an opportunity for the caddies to bond.

This summer, while waiting for our assignments, we spent hours playing Trivial Pursuit, talking, listening to music and playing cards. At first, this job was intimidating: being the youngest, one of only two females, and me, having then never before being in a country club setting.

Yet, the nerves fled as soon as the young and older men ranging in ages from 15 to 65 started to accept me as one of their own. The family-like atmosphere and genuine thoughtfulness is a work environment that I am honored to be a part of.

I look back on the decision I made and cannot help but recognize how much I have changed for the better because of it.