THE PAYMENT OF GOLF CADDIES [To the Editor of -the
SPECTATOR.]
Sur,—In 1912, on a well-known Surrey golf course, I started an allotment garden close to the club house. The members paid five shillings contribution towards the expense of making a good start. The professional gave a whistle when a caddie or caddies were required. Although there was some oppo- sition on the part of two or three boys, the caddies very soon came into line ; they, of course, earned regular pay for the work. I hoped to get the matter on a self-paying basis when the War brought things to a close. I can give further particulars should any of your readers be interested.—I am, Sir, &c., NORMAN GRAHAM.
Prior's Wood, Compton, near Guildford.
Caddies on seaside links in the south of England may be classified as follows : 1. Schoolboys, at week-ends and during holidays. 2. Sunday caddies—men and boys employed in other occupations who wish to add to their weekly earnings. 3. Boys who have just left school waiting till they can find better occupations. 4. Retired fishermen, ex-Service men, &c., incapable of doing heavy work. It is obvious that 1 and 2 cannot be paid a weekly wage. 3 and 4. would not consent to it, as in good times they may make up to 35s. per week including tips for five to six hours work per diem, and in bad weather can go on the dole.—F. S. REEVES (Major), Secretary, Rye Golf Club.
As a measure of relief to bridge over as far as possible dull periods —such, for instance, as we have lately experienced—the committee of this club, some time ago, added an extra 2d. per round to the normal charge. This goes into a fund from which payments are made at the secretary's discretion to the regular caddies. This, though a help, is only in the nature of a palliative. I fully endorse Mr. J. H. Taylor's views.—THE SECRETARY, Home Park Golf Club, Hampton Wick, Middlesex.
Payment of weekly wages to caddies impracticable here. In holiday season 100 a day may turn up. In winter none. Suggest limiting the age of those permitted to carry clubs to sixteen. Owing to spread of game caddies nowadays of very little help beyond teeing ball and carrying clubs.—H. I. Srascmaw, Secretary, The Nairn Golf Club, Nairn, N.B.
Reference copy of letter on the subject of payment of golf caddies I am directed to say that this club has a fund which deals with any hard cases which may arise.—C. E. PEMBERTON (Major), Secretary, Fulwell Golf Club, Hampton Hill, Middlesex.
Both the courses in Bournemouth are the property of the Bourne- mouth Corporation, who engage the caddies. During the recent spell of bad weather, the clubs helped the caddies, by giving them financial aid, old and discarded clothing, food, &c., and a supper and entertainment. I do not know if the municipality has power to grant payment to caddies, at present they control them and allocate their services—but do not pay them a weekly wage. Some provision should certainly be made for spells of unemployment, although it is doubtful if the caddies would agree to a small weekly wage, when some weeks they earn 35s. to 40s.—A. J. F., Meyrick and Queen's Park Golf Club, Bournemouth.
In reply to your letter I beg to state tliat all caddies employed on this course leave for employment in the mines when old enough.— LIIXE G. DrizoM, Chairman, Seaham, Co. Durham.
We have on several occasions carefully considered the caddie problem, and our conclusions could not be better expressed than in the statement made by Mr. J. H. Taylor. It is always difficult to help people who cannot help themselves and the caddie's own peculiar ways of helping himself render co-operation impossible.— J. M. SAMPSON, Hon. Secretary, Eaton Golf Club, Norwich.
I quite agree with Mr. J. H. Taylor's views as to the hopelessness of trying to train the younger caddies for other jobs. I don't suppose anyone would even think of training the older ones. I much prefer playing with a caddie myself, but I am not sure that such play is going to harmonize with the spirit of the future. I am rather inclined to believe that golf will be played with fewer clubs, and that courses will be so designed that it will not be easy to lose a ball. At Chorley Wood we have a heathland course with much gorse, but we clear the gorse bushes nearest the fairway.— R. E. BLAKE Sara, Hon. Secretary, Chorley Wood Golf Club.
I agree with your contributor, Mr. J. H. Taylor, that the question is not one for the clubs. It is more a question for the individual who engages the caddie to make the remuneration adequate. The clubs could not shoulder the burden.—Wm. ANDREW, Hon. Sec., Colville Park Golf Club.
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