Dennis Hendricks began caddying during his school holidays, grew fond of the game, and quickly became one of the best caddies at the club. When his school days were finished, it was time to venture out to make a living for himself and his family. Originally from the Free State, Dennis moved to Johannesburg to look for work, and it was there that he presented himself to a local caddie master. After impressing him with his knowledge, Dennis became a caddie master himself after just one year, an impressive feat in any field.
A caddie master’s primary job is to distribute rounds to the caddies under him, ensuring that each gets a slice of the pie. Dennis has caddied himself on the prestigious Sunshine Tour for the last four years, solidifying his position at the top of his trade. His personal love for the game has never gone away. After being gifted three sticks at a young age, he surprised everyone with the quality of his swing and overall game. ‘I wanted to be a professional player, but I knew to learn this game I needed to be a caddie to know the distances, winds, slopes of the greens’, he recalls. That’s exactly what he did, and although he never got the chance to try out at the pro level due to limited finances and time, his love for the game remains.
Having started caddying in 2009, Dennis has seen the life of a caddie improve in many ways. ‘For the next generation, there are changes. It won’t be like before,’ he insists. However, a vital factor that has never been addressed is the clubhouse’s attitude to ensuring support and security to its caddies. They’re the ones who are lugging heavy bags for hours on end whilst catering to the needs and wants of the players. ‘As a caddie, you’ve got no voice on the golf course. They will listen to the player.’ Golf clubs must treat caddies as employees, and train, trust, and empower those who bring benefit to their businesses.
