Caledonia Argus

McCarthy golfs with pro

Posted: 8/13/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus Sports Writer

Maggie McCarthy, a sophomore this year at Caledonia High School, couldnít have picked a better day to play good golf.

She was still on cloud nine last week a few days after spending the day at the Wells Fargo Junior Pro-Am in Blaine at the TPC (Tournament Players Golf Course). She was one of 30 students chosen out of 1,000 who applied to be coached by professional golfers for a day.

The event is held a few days before the 3M Championship, which is a golf competition with professional senior golfers.

Her high school golf coach, Ken Van Den Boom, has been entering the names of area kids for years, and McCarthy is the first person to have her name drawn for a spot on the tour. She couldnít believe it when she heard the message on the answering machine after returning home from a family vacation in July. She said, ìI was like this is a mistake. I donít win anything, is this for real?î

On Tuesday, August 6, the day in Blaine began with a 10:30 brunch. MaCarthy was able to bring as many people as she wanted. So she brought her parents, Bob and Joyce, her two sisters, Clare, 12, and Katie, 8, her cousin, grandma and grandpa and an aunt. Everyone was treated liked royalty. Throughout the day, free food and drink and hats were available to friends and family of the guests.

After brunch Maggie received a lesson from Chuck ìThe Hitmanî Hiter, a former professional baseball player turned professional trick golfer.

Hiter demonstrated hitting two balls in midair. ìMost people can barely drive 200 yards and he was driving them 300 to 350 yards,î she said.

Bob commented, ìWe thought it would be educational, but it was more entertaining.î

He also performed a unique balancing act on a unicycle and had students become the tee while he drove the ball another 300 yards. Maggie recalls, ìHe was so funny. He should have been in a circus. He was an amazing sight to see. I would have just been satisfied to go and see him.î

Golfing with pro is highlight

But the best part of the day included golfing nine holes with senior professional golfer John Schroeder. Maggie was one of four students who were coached by Schroeder.

Maggieís dad, Bob, got to be her caddy for the session, which is a first for Maggie who normally carries her own golf clubs. She said, ìIt felt so free,î then added, ìI emptied it out cause I didnít want to kill my dad.î

Bob didnít mind being caddy, ìIf I couldnít play, caddying for my daughter was the next best thing,î he said.

Golfing with Schroeder became the highlight for Maggie because of how he treated everyone. ìEven if we had a bad shot, he said, ëKeep smiling, Weíre here to have fun,íî said Maggie.

Bob commented, ìMy goodness was he nice, showing the kids how the game could be played. He had an eagle (two under par) on the 18th hole,î

The McCarthyís described the 18th hole, though, as wide expanse of water, or, jokingly, a small lake.

When Maggie was having trouble on one particular hole, Schroeder would joke that it was par. ìHe was just so nice, funny, he winked and made jokes,î she said.

As Maggie golfed with Schroeder, her family was able to watch in a cart on a nearby golf path.

Schroeder picks Maggie to putt

Each of the nine professional golfers who golfed with the four students, could pick one student on their team to putt to win $1,000 for their school.

Schroeder picked Maggie because she was golfing well that day and even parred a couple holes. She said, ìI was like, ëOh, I hope I donít embarrass him.íî

McCarthy laughs when thinking about the pressure of putting in front of nine professional golfers, but noted that they all put her at ease with jokes and friendly banter.

A student from Winona Cotter won the putt-off.

The last event involved a fun skills test between the nine professional golfers to raise money for charity. Some of the events included a skip across the water, best flop shot and closest to the pin. Bob and Maggie liked how the professional golfers acted like regular people.

In the end, each student golfer received a 17''x17'' memorabilia plaque with a picture, medal and score card recognizing them for their participation with the golfers.

Maggie said she hopes other Caledonia golfers are able to go next year.

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