Page 43 - Western Amateur 120th Championship Program 2022, Exmoor Country Club

Meet Eddie Gonzalez: Exmoor Caddie Manager

Should players in the Western average six to nine years with us,
Amateur wish to use an Exmoor caddie, typically from seventh grade and
they can be assured of a well-trained, often into college.”
top-flight caddie.
Approximately 110–120 caddies
This is due in large measure to Eddie participate in the Exmoor caddie
Gonzalez, who has managed the caddie program each year. The number of
program since 2010. Eddie has played a caddie rounds increased from 8,000
key role in the development of caddies in 2019 to 12,000 in both 2020 and
who express a wish to qualify for an 2021, representing 55 percent of all
Evans Scholarship, and he has prepared rounds played.
many of them for the all-important Member Cyndi Millspaugh served on
Evans Scholarship application process. the Golf Committee for several years:
“Eddie cares deeply for each and every
Eddie says his philosophy is “to help Abraham Ancer chose Exmoor caddie Mauricio Medina to
caddie in his program and has been an
the caddies to take advantage of the help him reach the semifinals of the 2012 Western Amateur.
exemplary leader and mentor. He has
opportunities of being around golf,
the ability to connect with the wide and find the player’s ball. Caddies take
meeting successful people, learning
range of ages and personalities of our advantage of 12 hours of training, watch
from their stories, heeding their
caddies. Eddie does a beautiful job a video, and need to pass a written
advice, and planting the seed for
supporting so many programs such standard examination to become
their future success.
as Daniel Murphy, Evans Scholars, eligible to caddie.
“I teach the kids to be honest, Exmoor Foundation, and College Michael Combs, an Exmoor caddie for
responsible, self-aware, to have Bound Opportunities.” nine years and a senior at the University
discipline, to work hard, and above
Working with members, Gonzalez of Wisconsin, reflects the sentiments of
all, have a good attitude so they realize
developed a comprehensive guide that his fellow caddies: “Eddie (yes, the boys
they can do anything they want in life.
spells out caddie responsibilities, the call him Eddie) instills two major values
“I take pride in seeing the caddies grow, need to understand the golf course, in the caddies — timeliness and hard-
from when they are 13 or 14, and then by suggestions on what clothes to wear, work. If you did not want to be rele-
age 18, they are professionals. I like to and, among other subjects, a vital topic gated to the bottom of the list you had
get to know their families. Caddies for aspiring caddies — how to follow to show up for the lottery on-time.”

Each year Exmoor honors and thanks its caddies with a giant buffet lunch, all the cola they can drink, and ample prizes for all. Here in 2016 (left to right): Josue Gonzalez,
Golf Shop staff; Daniel Mendez, caddie; Eduardo Gonzalez, caddie manager; and Aron Mendez, caddie

2022 Western Amateur Championship Chick, the Caddies and the Scholars 41