Young golfers thrilled to meet legendary caddy

Three of the region’s most promising young golfers relished a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with one of the golf world’s most famous figures on Friday.

Steve Williams, who caddied for such luminaries as Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott during a hugely-successful and lengthy career, was in town for the Inspire Foundation grants evening and agreed to meet up with the youngsters at the Marlborough Golf Club.

Fifteen-year-olds Spencer Gregg and Kobe Hart, plus 14-year-old Harry MacNeill, got to play a few holes in the company of the man who has shared in 14 major championship wins. They then retired to the Fairhall clubhouse where Steve offered some advice and tips to the upcoming players and signed some memorabilia.

Spencer was instrumental in putting the meeting together. After hearing Steve was due in town he approached Inspire Foundation Marlborough chairman Mark Davis who said the offer to meet Steve was there if he could recruit a couple of fellow golfers.

Kobe and Harry jumped at the chance to join Spencer, pick the brains of the caddying legend and hear some of his tales from over three decades of top-level competition.

“It was a great day … unbelievable,” said Spencer. “We played five or six holes with him and then we went into the clubhouse for debrief and chat about his career.

“It was really windy on the course so he helped us with some tips about how to play in the wind.”

During the two hours or so the lads spent with Steve, he also imparted some training tips and talked about setting plans and goals, all really helpful tips according to Spencer, who currently plays off a handicap of three, with Kobe on zero and Harry playing off two.

The three also attended part of the Inspire evening, getting the chance to hear the night’s main feature, a Q&A session with Steve.