Indiana Golf Journal December

contribution is providing mental and emotional support. “I tend to think I’m pretty calm and that’s one positive trait for any caddie to have -- calmness in stressful situations. Kempy (Sarah Kemp) has been on Tour for a long time so she’s been in many different situations, but I want to be able to support her in good and hard moments.” Being a caddie is a perfect job for Butler, since her experiences as a child were so sports-centric. “I loved playing all sports growing up, especially baseball. We played football, or baseball every day during recess, depending on the time of year. I also enjoyed playing basketball, but tore my ACL my freshman year of high school and stuck to golf after that.” Since the LPGA Tour conducts events throughout the U.S., in western Europe, in Canada, and throughout Asia, Butler has been to more countries than many international diplomats. She, of course, has a list of her favorite golf destinations in this country. “A few of my favorites are Wilshire CC in Los Angeles; Upper Montclair CC in New Jersey; Congressional CC in Bethesda, Maryland; Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania; and, of course, the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California.” Two tournaments that change venues every year are the ones which Butler doesn’t want to miss. “The Canadian Open and the U.S. Open are the two best events for caddies. They treat us really well. There are many options for recovery including a massage therapist.” When Butler is not working as a caddie at a golf tournament, she likes to relax and ‘recharge her batteries’ at home. “In my time away from the Tour, I like to recover. When I’m home during an off week, I like to caddie at a course called Spring Hill in Minnesota. It’s walking-only and I carry two bags so it’s a great workout. If I’m not on the course, I’m probably watching sports.” Wherever Butler goes in golf, she knows that the keys to surviving and thriving on the golf course as a caddie remain having the ability ‘to show up, keep up, and shut up.’ She has clearly mastered all three skill sets.

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