MADEIRA, Ohio – “I’ve peaked.’’
That’s how Kevin Pruis reacted when he learned he’d be carrying the bag for LPGA professional Sanna Nuutinen at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G.
Pruis said he’s been named “Caddie of the Year” three times at Kenwood Country Club, the tournament’s host site, and received numerous other accolades for his work as a caddie over the past 10 years.
But the 24-year-old University of Cincinnati graduate said carrying Nuutinen’s bag at this week’s tournament is like a dream come true.
“I never thought I’d have this opportunity,’’ he said in the Kenwood pro shop Thursday.
Pruis was one of 10 Kenwood caddies hand-picked by their manager, Dominic Parisi, to caddie for players competing in the tournament who didn’t bring their own caddies.
Thanks to her eagle-eyed caddie, former LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year and Epson Tour winner, Jillian Hollis, avoided a two-stroke penalty to start her round Thursday.
Hollis’ caddy, Luke Brennaman, grandson of retired Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Marty Brennaman, noticed his player had 15 clubs in her bag – one more than the rules of golf allow – just before she hit her opening tee shot, according to Parisi.
“She told him he saved her round,’’ Parisi said, referring to Hollis, an Ohio native.
Hollis and the younger Brennaman met for the first time during a practice round Wednesday.
“I usually caddie myself on The Epson Tour or have a friend caddy for me,’’ Hollis said before teeing off for the practice round. “I’m just super pumped to have Luke. I just wanted somebody to kind of walk with me and keep me company, and he’s been so nice.”
He also came to the first tee well prepared.
“I’ve been caddying for years but nothing at this level. I got a lot of help from the pro caddies,’’ the younger Brennaman said, referring to the regular LPGA tour caddies on site for the tournament from whom he sought advice.
He said one of the first lessons the professional caddies reinforced was to make sure he counted his player’s clubs.
That advice could yield dividends for the caddie as well as the player.
In addition to Kenwood’s standard caddie fee of $100 for 18 holes, many of the players in the Queen City tournament have agreed to share their winnings with the Kenwood caddies just as they would with a professional caddie, according to Parisi.
That could be as much as 10% of the $262,500 first-place prize money, or $26,250.