Page 74 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

WGA_Program_2018_V5__ 6/28/2018 3:43 PM Page 72

SUNSET RIDGE CADDIE PROGRAM

weren’t following Tony’s rules, you played in the rain were “mudders”; special destination for both players and
would be sent ‘down the road’ to Green and when a caddie carried a bag on the caddies for over four decades.”
Acres to make your future wages.” each shoulder for two big tippers, the
John Sasaki caddied from the late-1970s
lucky looper had hit the “daily double.”
Bobby Phillips served as Battistello’s until 1985 throughout both his high
Any time a member would request an
top caddie and assistant in the mid- school years at Glenbrook North
experienced caddie, Battistello would
1960s. He remembers that Tony “taught and also while attending college at
reassure the golfer that he would have
all of his caddies the meaning of hard Marquette University. He was awarded
an “ace” on his bag.
work, discipline and good grooming.” the final Evans Scholarship out of a
He also recalls the three fundamental In summer of 1980, the movie total of 19 scholarships during
axioms taught to all caddies every year: “Caddyshack” debuted and featured Battistello’s 41-year career.
“Watch the ball, keep up with your Brian Doyle-Murray as caddie manager
Sasaki is now the CEO of Victoria
player and never bet the grey horse at Lou Loomis. This character was based
Consulting based in Chicago. He
the racetrack!” on Indian Hill Club caddie manager
remembers Tony being an early riser,
Lou Janis, who was a Sunset Ridge
Phillips noted that Battistello had a opening the caddie house at 6 a.m. If
Evans Scholar and a 1956 graduate of
sharp and blunt sense of humor that you weren’t there as early as Tony, you
Northwestern University. Janis recalls
always seemed to revolve around horse would be stuck sitting on the bench
Battistello as being a “giant in the
racing and card-playing analogies. waiting to get out for a 10 a.m. or later
business who set the standard for all
Some of the famous Tonyisms: Caddies loop. “To this day I am in my office
Chicago caddie programs.” Janis also
who went 36 holes in one day were around 6:30 a.m. as Tony instilled that
added, “Tony made Sunset Ridge a
called “thoroughbreds”; members who trait in me to get up and show up to be

72 History of Sunset Ridge Country Club SUNSET RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB