Doc Middlecoff....from dentist to golf pro...won 40 PGA tourneys....3 majors..
Golfers didn’t have millionaire caddies back then...hired a kid from t he pro shop for a
tournament... on the Sunday, Doc is leading by one on the 18th... the third guy in his group
hit Doc’s bag on his approach...kid was hard luck, not really out of position.....
...two stroke penalty for Doc...came second by one stroke.
Doc couldn’t find his caddy after the ceremonies, asked at the pro shop...the kid had gone
home....hitchhiking 200 miles the opposite direction that Doc to go for next event.
Doc got the kid’s address and drove to his home...the kid cried because he felt he cost him
the tournament...Doc paid him well and had dinner with the family before he set out on his
400 mile trip.
I worked at a pro shop when I was young...always remembered that story...that was back
when golf pros weren’t much better off than pool players...they deserved their success.