Top Caddie to Drive Away a Winner at EDS Byron Nelson Championship
11 Apr 2008
As part of his 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship prize package, Scott Verplank took home a custom motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers.
Bathed in chrome and bulging with unique features, the bike was one of three identical cycles commissioned by EDS to commemorate the tournament. One was awarded to the winning golfer, another was auctioned for charity and the third was retained by EDS.
But this time around, the cool set of wheels won't be going to the guy who swings the clubs. This year's new ride will be going to the guy who carries them.
With a nod to the professional golfer's closest ally, EDS will award a shiny new Cadillac XLR-V to the tournament champion's caddie.
The EDS “Caddy for a Caddie” program is the first of its kind in professional golf. While some competitions have provided top caddies with limited use of a loaned luxury car during the week of play, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship will be the first to hand over the keys and the title.
“A caddie is a great example of an ally,” said Maureen McCaffrey, vice president of Global Marketing for EDS. “Just as EDS is the world's business ally working behind the scenes to ensure our clients' success, we recognize that behind the triumph of every golf champion there is a dedicated caddie.”
Though their contributions are often overlooked, today's professional caddies play a key supporting role to the golfers they serve. In addition to toting up to 50 pounds in equipment and assisting with club selections, caddies are expected to provide the golfer with a wealth of intelligence on the golf course. From yardage and green conditions to pin placements, they advise the golfer on the best approach to every stroke.
Caddies also assist their golfers with the mental aspects of the game, helping them talk through their challenges and steady their nerves. At times, they may even serve as enforcers, quieting an unruly gallery that may be causing distractions.
“Before he became a golfing legend, Byron Nelson worked as a caddie,” said McCaffrey. “This is a way for us to honor Byron's roots and the achievements of so many unsung heroes of the links.”
The XLR-V is a high-performance convertible featuring a world-class list of interior amenities as well as a supercharged V8 engine that produces 443 horsepower. With the capability to jump from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, the car boasts top track speeds over 155 mph – more than enough to guarantee the winning caddie will never miss a tee time.