Caddie John (j.d.) Doherty Reports From The Masters
ED. Note: Veteran caddie John (J.D.) Doherty of Red Bank has been in on many championships in New Jersey, with Mike Stamberger, who won the State Amateur in 2013 and 2014 and Jeff Thomas, who won it in 1994, among others.He's also been with four NJSGA Mid-Amateur champions, two State four-ball championship teams,and one NJSGA Public Links champion. He's been in on more than 50 career winners, including USGA qualifying medalists.
On Sept. 15, J.D. caddied for Californian Stewart Hagestad, who won the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Stonewall in Elverson, Pa. Hagestad rallied from four holes down with five to play before winning on the 37th hole to earn the right to play in the 2017 Masters. This week, the duo are enjoying Masters week in Augusta, Ga.
Here's what "J.D." had to say about his experience so far at The Masters:
The Masters is a great experience. Augusta is golf NIRVANA! Weather has been a little crazy and is expected to get worse throughout the week. Stewart Hagestad, who I caddied for when he won the U.S. Mid-Amateur and won the right to come here, played with former Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice on Saturday and Ben Crenshaw on Sunday.
Both were great, but caddie Carl Jackson came along with Ben and that was awesome. He’s caddied in more than 40 Masters and knows Augusta National by the palm of his hand! Carl was very helpful, supportive, and a first class gentleman. He helped a lot with the greens and the influence of Rae’s Creek on the putts.
On Tuesday, we will playing with Adam Scott, and Ryder Cup European performer Thomas Pieters from Belgium. He played his college golf at Illinois.
On Wednesday, we will play nine holes in the morning with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler. On Wednesday afternoon, will be in the par 3 contest. Stewart’s dad will be on the bag for that one.
I’m interested to see who we are paired with for the tournament. It is a tough walk and the greens are everything people said they were and then some!
I’m enjoying every second of it, learning a lot, and knowing that these are the best in the world that are playing this week. Stewart is a little nervous, but is getting better every day.
