Cody Stewart’s young German Shepherd mix, Caddy, is part of the grounds crew at the California facility.
Lawrence, Kan. (Nov. 8, 2016) – “Every golfer has to have a good caddie to make them better,” said Cody Stewart, the head golf course superintendent at the 36-hole PGA West facility in Bermuda Dunes, Calif. “It’s true of superintendents too.”
So, in early 2016 when Stewart and his grounds staff adopted a 10-month-old German Shepherd mix to add some pep and perspective to the hard work and long hours on the job, deciding on the name Caddy was easy.
Caddy is a natural, said Stewart, and her personality is evident on the cover of the 2017 Dog Days of Golf calendar, sponsored by LebanonTurf and distributed without cost to nearly 18,000 members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). She is also in the running for Dog of the Year through a vote of the 13,000-plus expected attendees at the February 2017 Golf Industry Show in Orlando.
“When I got the call from GCSAA to tell me Caddy was on the cover, the first thing I did was text my girlfriend Taryn. Getting a dog at the course was her idea,” said Stewart, 25, one of the youngest head superintendents in the country and already a five-year member of GCSAA. “I actually bought a GCSAA dog collar at the Golf Industry Show in early February knowing we were going to get a dog, and we found Caddy two days before Valentine’s Day.
“The course never had a dog before, but everyone has fallen in love with her. From the first day we got her, she jumped on my golf cart and she’s been there ever since. She goes with me to check out all 36 holes each morning. She chases away the geese and ducks, and then comes back to the office with me to do some paperwork.”
Caddy’s contributions at the facility go far beyond her on-course duties. She has brought joy and comfort to the crew, who shower her with toys and treats. Stewart pampers her as well, and Caddy goes home with him each night and takes the weekends off.
The lovable mascot currently weighs 60 pounds, but it’s hard to tell how much more she is going to grow. Her history is unclear since she came from a shelter and cost just a $100 adoption fee.
What is clear, however, is that Caddy is valued as an important member of the grounds team.
“This dog means a lot to the crew,” said Stewart, who oversees a 50-member staff. “Behind every good superintendent at the golf course is a good dog. Caddy was kind of scared at first, but she has the perfect temperament. She takes our stress away and helps us all live in the moment.”
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Craig Smith, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 4431 or 785-691-9197 (cell)
csmith@gcsaa.org
