SINGAPORE – When a medical issue caused by a parasite halted Michelle Simpson’s career as a professional golfer nearly two decades ago, she was handed a lifeline by LPGA Tour player Meredith Duncan, who asked if she was keen to be her caddie.
Simpson, who played on the second-tier Epson Tour from 2000 to 2006, agreed, initially seeing it as a way to stay in the game and mount a comeback.
That did not materialise as money was tight amid the 2008 financial crisis, and the American found a passion for caddying.
“I really enjoyed caddying because I knew what the girls’ dreams were, I had the same dream so I could relate to it and I felt that I could be of service,” Simpson told The Straits Times on the sidelines of the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Nearly 20 years on, she has stayed the course, carrying the bags of players such as two-time Major champion Brittany Lincicome and now Angel Yin, who has won twice on the Tour.
Although she no longer fights to climb the leaderboard, the 45-year-old plays a crucial role in helping her players do so.
Caddying can also be competitive, with pressure coming in a different form – making the right call and to provide the support that a player needs.
On what she likes about being a caddie, Simpson said: “It’s just that – being a chameleon, being able to switch your colours and be what they need in that moment.
“Even though I’m not playing and hitting the ball, there’s still that competitive edge of making the right decision that could help or hurt the player.”
Understanding the golfer she is caddying for is important, with Simpson noting that some prefer to consult her about their play, while others are more independent and would rather talk about things unrelated to golf.
Regardless, she is always making observations and analysing things.
She said: “She may only ask one time about a putt but I better be ready for it.
“You don’t really have time to just go to sleep because if you do and they need you in that moment, then you’ve failed.”
So during a tournament week, she walks the course before the event starts to get familiar with it.
By the time it begins, she has her notes ready. Even then, she is looking out for things, such as whether there is a hole others are struggling with and how to play it differently.
It is a physically demanding job that can take a toll on the body – bags can weigh upwards of 18kg and hilly courses like Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course make it harder.
While Simpson has grown used to it, she feels that the misconception that women would not be able to carry the bag is one reason why there are significantly fewer female caddies than males.
She is just one of two full-time female caddies supporting the field of 66 players at the US$2.4 million (S$3.2 million) tournament in Singapore. The other is Brittany Henderson, who is on her younger sister Brooke’s bag.
Simpson said: “There should be more women. If you play and you know the game at all, you have a huge asset.
“You’re also female and understand the female things in life like periods and the emotional roller coasters, and that’s something that can be hugely brought to a player.
“More women need not be scared to do it because I think they would be very good at it.”
- Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing.
