Colonial golf fans have enjoyed caddie races at the 13th hole for years. The premise: The first caddie to set foot on the green at the par-3 hole "wins" the race and, based on crowd reaction, earns bragging rights _ or something more tangible _ for fans who loudly cheer from behind the green at the par-3 hole.
Heading into today's final round at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, the concept of caddie races has moved across the Metroplex and the stakes have been raised signficiantly. At least, they're much higher for the caddies.
The winning golfer in today's Nelson will secure more than a winner's check in excess of $1 million. He'll also earn a free car for the person carrying his clubs in EDS' "Caddy for a caddie" promotion. The Cadillac in question _ a sporty, 2008 XLR-V convertible _ sells for $101,300 and will be given to the winning caddie free of charge, with taxes paid by the tournament's title sponsor.
Adam Scott, who leads by three strokes heading into today's final round, joked that the opportunity to win a Caddy for caddie Tony Navarro was the "secret reason" for his last minute decision to play in Irving. It wasn't, but that doesn't mean Navarro -- and other caddies -- won't be sweating more than usual down the stretch during today's final round.
Among the frontrunning caddies, colleague Troy Phillips turned up this interesting nugget about Lance TenBroeck, who carries the bag for Jesper Parnevik: Lance has no driver's licence and no real desire to get one. Although TenBroeck has indicated he would sell the car, if he receives it, it's hard to imagine that spending 30 seconds behind the wheel of a stylish sports car wouldn't be incentive enough to convince a guy to do the necessary book work/road work to pass a driving test in the state of Florida (Lance's state of residence).
_ Jimmy Burch
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