Jack has always said many pleasant and funny things about Willie. They were a perfect fit. Because Jack is his own swing mechanic, Willie could read Jack better than any other caddie. He mostly played the role of cheerleader, according to Jack. Allowing his boss to focus exclusively in the office on the tee and the green.
It’s really a shame it not only took 23 years for Jack Nicholas to find out but how other golfers that had caddies there that helped them win a major in golf haven’t helped these families with headstones for their fathers. Most if not all these guys are multi millionaires a head stone is literally nothing to them. I used to be a caddie at hose this story certainly hits home. Glad Jack is doing his part. I hope he raises more awareness and makes this his cause. These men deserve to not be forgotten!😢
Can you imagine sitting in the rain watching the water flow of the greens so you could give such accurate reads of the greens to the players. These guys should all have headstones on their graves as they were as much a part of the Masters as the players were.
These Men Caddies The Greatest Game in the world. You men have inspired so many other people like myself. Thank You! This is why I love playing the game of golf.
I think the coolest thing would be to give the surviving caddies (if they want) a tee time on the first day when Augusta National opens its playing season in the late summer/early fall (I read somewhere the course is closed during the summer for maintenance and repairs).
There was a doc on TH-cam for a long time that went deep into this, interviews with people from the neighborhood. But of course, its been taken down at this point. I miss the old days of TH-cam before censorship
People so quick to label it racist..and it was. But at the same time that would've been the coolest job ever and you can tell how fondly they speak of the experience and the course.
These Amazing Black Men were obviously very intelligent professional caddies. Not just any caddie. To be a caddie is very difficult and mathematical. No easy feat to figure distance against a 12 mph wind uphill...lol Pro Golfers have very high expectations. Trust me, Jack kept the same caddie because of his knowledge. The sad part is, the city of Augusta never considered honoring their legacy which was worth millions. Racism sucks!
@KT Racism? LOL. Tiger Woods has white caddies. I am white and started caddying at age 14, and caddied for golfers from a range of demographics, women, men, young, old, White, Black, Asian
If you viewed the Masters on TV you could maybe count African Americans on one hand. I had a difficult time. How about you? They did let one hold Shefflers jacket for a minute. I think racism is alive and well at the Masters.
And as far as caddy fees for the members go if you tee of on 1 you're paying for 9 and on 10 you're paying for 18 regardless of what you actually play. We call #8 misery and #18 agony. Lots of the members and guests call us sherpas. Some amateurs that qualify will still use our caddies for the tournament and in the caddy house we got a personal chef named Joe. My dude is an Asian and whips that shit up right!!
I am sure, I hope, that all the winners of the Masters, have the dignity to remember, that the caddies told them the line of the putt, that put the dollars in the winners pockets. Without those caddies, would the golfers be remembered?
It’s just absurd to think our great country was this divided at one point over a simple game and for a long period of time. “We lived in Augusta but we had no where to play golf…” Incredibly sad and folks should understand why this resonates even to this day.
Somewhere out there, there are a couple books about the caddies of Augusta. One is called "Men on the Bag." I would love to have a copy of this book. Imagine the stories these guys have! Watching this reminded me of when I was a kid. Late 1960's and we were members of Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK. Of course, at 10 yrs old, I had no idea about the prestige of this course, did not know doodly squat, really, about the history of Negroes in America, but that's one of the places where I learned how to play golf in 1968 and 1969 - MLK, RFK, the riots and the protests, Charlie Manson, whew! All of it. And there at Southern Hills, all the staff were black and in the men's locker room were all these elderly gentlemen who were so kind and patient to this particular white kid. What I wouldn't give to be able to talk to some of those men now. Damn.
@@marcosvilla9178 They are for the Members buddy. Remember, a lot of the Members are actually Old. so they are allowed to use carts. Pros are not allowed to use carts unless they have a med exemption. Even when I played Club Golf, we had to walk, or have a Med exemption to use a cart.
Humans do what humans do. Don’t believe yourself a victim because others in the past have suffered. They suffer for you to have room and time to heal the pain they might have passed down.
Pro players became insistent that their regular caddies loop for them and Augusta's insistence on their method became antiquated. It as part of the growing financial evolution and professionalism of golf, sadly.
@Tetanusprik I understand your point, but a many years passed, I am sure they could have saved or find the way to afford one, even reach to this men, he would have been happy to help without a doubt. I personally would starve for a month of I needed to , but my father would have a headstone on his grave.
So basically Augusta National was a plantation until the late 1980s... it's almost too shocking to believe... 5 of Jack Nicklaus six Masters he had a random black caddy on the bag who was simply assigned to him... it's a total embarrassment.
Idk if I would call it a plantation, but maybe not far from it. They did have a couple black golfers play there in the 70's and 80's but no black members until much later. I give the club credit, they have evolved and evolved a lot.
@@washredskin887 it was just the dynamic then people mostly accepted where they were and opportunities they had. You would be surprised how well a lot of mixed races got along back then. I see where you are coming from but also look only 75 years before 60s this was close to so many southern plantations etc. It was people like Jack and Willie that closed racial gaps through greatness.
According to a March 23, 1999 CBS news story, and I quote... "Willie Peterson, who caddied for Jack Nicklaus during five of his six Masters Tournament championships, is dead of lung cancer. Peterson died at his home in New York City on Saturday, according to his daughter, Vanessa Peterson-Fox of Augusta. He was 66." When asked, Nicklaus said..."Willie caddied for me at Augusta for many years and did a great job. I enjoyed Willie. He was a great character." The story goes on to say that Peterson's five victories are tied for the most in tournament history. Their relationship continued with Nicklaus' victories in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972 and 1975, and Peterson was his caddie through 1982. Jack Nicklaus II, Nicklaus' oldest son, caddied in the 1986 Masters. Before 1983, Augusta National caddies were required at the tournament. So, while it is correct to say that traditionally these caddies were assigned by a draw, in the case of Nicklaus and Peterson, it was by request.
Who cares it should be a trade that’s gone long ago! Golf carts and GPS work better and they don’t cost a 10% fee every week! Just another form of slavery back in the day.
Damn I wish this was a much longer video. Great Job
Wasn’t expecting to cry. This was so beautiful.
I had exactly the same response.
I have a tear too
Beautiful video and that photo of those 2 on sports illustrated was so badass although I wished they had his name on it too but still great
Jack has always said many pleasant and funny things about Willie. They were a perfect fit. Because Jack is his own swing mechanic, Willie could read Jack better than any other caddie. He mostly played the role of cheerleader, according to Jack. Allowing his boss to focus exclusively in the office on the tee and the green.
Those were probably some amazingly knowledgeable caddies
It’s really a shame it not only took 23 years for Jack Nicholas to find out but how other golfers that had caddies there that helped them win a major in golf haven’t helped these families with headstones for their fathers. Most if not all these guys are multi millionaires a head stone is literally nothing to them. I used to be a caddie at hose this story certainly hits home. Glad Jack is doing his part. I hope he raises more awareness and makes this his cause. These men deserve to not be forgotten!😢
Nicklaus…….
Can you imagine sitting in the rain watching the water flow of the greens so you could give such accurate reads of the greens to the players. These guys should all have headstones on their graves as they were as much a part of the Masters as the players were.
Arguably could have been the reason some players won
You’re 100% right. That takes a lot of work, dedication, and perseverance
to watch water flow off of a green.
Wow. Just wow.
These Men Caddies The Greatest Game in the world. You men have inspired so many other people like myself. Thank You! This is why I love playing the game of golf.
Man this one hit hard !
That’s awesome,I for one are so glad the caddies finally got the recognition they truly deserve,I’m going to watch again Lol ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Damn this was a tear jerker
Wow man , I have a huge respect for golf now … beautiful video
What an incredible video, very well done
I think the coolest thing would be to give the surviving caddies (if they want) a tee time on the first day when Augusta National opens its playing season in the late summer/early fall (I read somewhere the course is closed during the summer for maintenance and repairs).
Awesome video
Thank you Augusta National and all the past masters champions who contributed to those caddies head stones who passed on. That was class. God bless.
Nicklaus is a good man, to do that. This is a great story about the local caddies.
It's wild to see the caddies laying down around the greens. They won't let anyone lie down at Augusta anymore.
WOW this video was phenomenal
Thank you for an excellent post ❤revisted May 8 2024 ❤❤❤❤Dobie Wan Kanobie ❤❤❤❤❤ they were making them Ends ❤
So pleased they got their deserved recognition,as professional caddies.they are now part of golf history.
There was a doc on TH-cam for a long time that went deep into this, interviews with people from the neighborhood. But of course, its been taken down at this point. I miss the old days of TH-cam before censorship
Great story thx
I really hope those men were tipped well by the players.....particularly the guys who won.
Why did it take 20 years for Jack Nicklaus to find out his caddie didn’t have a headstone?
Maybe he had a life to live himself and didn't stay in touch. It happens
Wow nice video 💜👊
#1 club in the bag ❤️⛳🙏
People so quick to label it racist..and it was. But at the same time that would've been the coolest job ever and you can tell how fondly they speak of the experience and the course.
These Amazing Black Men were obviously very intelligent professional caddies. Not just any caddie. To be a caddie is very difficult and mathematical. No easy feat to figure distance against a 12 mph wind uphill...lol Pro Golfers have very high expectations. Trust me, Jack kept the same caddie because of his knowledge. The sad part is, the city of Augusta never considered honoring their legacy which was worth millions. Racism sucks!
@KT Racism? LOL. Tiger Woods has white caddies. I am white and started caddying at age 14, and caddied for golfers from a range of demographics, women, men, young, old, White, Black, Asian
If you viewed the Masters on TV you could maybe count African Americans on one hand. I had a difficult time. How about you? They did let one hold Shefflers jacket for a minute. I think racism is alive and well at the Masters.
I remember when this aired
this is honestly crazy to see
Good on you guys
The “blind man…” comment. Holy cow
THANK YOU!!!
And as far as caddy fees for the members go if you tee of on 1 you're paying for 9 and on 10 you're paying for 18 regardless of what you actually play. We call #8 misery and #18 agony. Lots of the members and guests call us sherpas. Some amateurs that qualify will still use our caddies for the tournament and in the caddy house we got a personal chef named Joe. My dude is an Asian and whips that shit up right!!
I am sure, I hope, that all the winners of the Masters, have the dignity to remember, that the caddies told them the line of the putt, that put the dollars in the winners pockets. Without those caddies, would the golfers be remembered?
Respect
I see a movie script with "The Help" vibes in here somewhere
Black jockeys were the 1st sports heros in America. Caddies were much, much, appreciated.
It’s just absurd to think our great country was this divided at one point over a simple game and for a long period of time. “We lived in Augusta but we had no where to play golf…” Incredibly sad and folks should understand why this resonates even to this day.
Real sad part is they are too old to play now when they actually have the right to play there
There was this one really racist board member that said "As long as I'm alive, players will be white and caddies will be black."
He wasn't just a board member he was
co-founder and board chair, Clifford Roberts.
Kinda sick how once the big money came in no more black caddies even get the opportunity to loop anymore.
Somewhere out there, there are a couple books about the caddies of Augusta. One is called "Men on the Bag." I would love to have a copy of this book.
Imagine the stories these guys have!
Watching this reminded me of when I was a kid. Late 1960's and we were members of Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK. Of course, at 10 yrs old, I had no idea about the prestige of this course, did not know doodly squat, really, about the history of Negroes in America, but that's one of the places where I learned how to play golf in 1968 and 1969 - MLK, RFK, the riots and the protests, Charlie Manson, whew! All of it. And there at Southern Hills, all the staff were black and in the men's locker room were all these elderly gentlemen who were so kind and patient to this particular white kid. What I wouldn't give to be able to talk to some of those men now. Damn.
I like how it showed them playing a round but not on august National lol
It was Augusta. The course has changed since 1982, physically and visually. Augusta was the only course that used Black Caddies solely.
@@BatMan-xr8gg no it’s not there’s a clear cart path in the background carts aren’t allowed at Augusta national
@@marcosvilla9178 They are for the Members buddy. Remember, a lot of the Members are actually Old. so they are allowed to use carts. Pros are not allowed to use carts unless they have a med exemption. Even when I played Club Golf, we had to walk, or have a Med exemption to use a cart.
@@marcosvilla9178 dude theres a lot of cart paths at augusta
Humans do what humans do. Don’t believe yourself a victim because others in the past have suffered. They suffer for you to have room and time to heal the pain they might have passed down.
Nice to get the. Recognition now but its little to late in my view they were as great as the golfers
Yeah u got a good caddie u best treat him right
The black caddies lost out when they stopped using them. They made good money they could count on, every year. Too bad
Why was that tradition of the caddies changed?
Pro players became insistent that their regular caddies loop for them and Augusta's insistence on their method became antiquated. It as part of the growing financial evolution and professionalism of golf, sadly.
No money then but money for head stone
With all of Jack’s money you think he would have bought the man a better headstone.
We don't know what else he has done for Willie's family. Jack has ALWAYS had great things to say about Willie.
How you gonna let your relatives not have a headstone?
@jc dova Well be glad u have the means to do so mate... wouldnt want to think about having to choose food or rent above honouring relatives
@Tetanusprik I understand your point, but a many years passed, I am sure they could have saved or find the way to afford one, even reach to this men, he would have been happy to help without a doubt. I personally would starve for a month of I needed to , but my father would have a headstone on his grave.
So basically Augusta National was a plantation until the late 1980s... it's almost too shocking to believe... 5 of Jack Nicklaus six Masters he had a random black caddy on the bag who was simply assigned to him... it's a total embarrassment.
Idk if I would call it a plantation, but maybe not far from it. They did have a couple black golfers play there in the 70's and 80's but no black members until much later. I give the club credit, they have evolved and evolved a lot.
@@washredskin887 it was just the dynamic then people mostly accepted where they were and opportunities they had. You would be surprised how well a lot of mixed races got along back then. I see where you are coming from but also look only 75 years before 60s this was close to so many southern plantations etc. It was people like Jack and Willie that closed racial gaps through greatness.
I would say it was more of a skill and probably bobby jones wanted to help people and be inclusive..not everything is a racist motive
According to a March 23, 1999 CBS news story, and I quote... "Willie Peterson, who caddied for Jack Nicklaus during five of his six Masters Tournament championships, is dead of lung cancer. Peterson died at his home in New York City on Saturday, according to his daughter, Vanessa Peterson-Fox of Augusta. He was 66." When asked, Nicklaus said..."Willie caddied for me at Augusta for many years and did a great job. I enjoyed Willie. He was a great character." The story goes on to say that Peterson's five victories are tied for the most in tournament history. Their relationship continued with Nicklaus' victories in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972 and 1975, and Peterson was his caddie through 1982. Jack Nicklaus II, Nicklaus' oldest son, caddied in the 1986 Masters. Before 1983, Augusta National caddies were required at the tournament. So, while it is correct to say that traditionally these caddies were assigned by a draw, in the case of Nicklaus and Peterson, it was by request.
Those caddies appreciated those caddy jobs. They made good money. When they stopped hiring the black caddies, the black caddies lost out. Too bad
D boys
I wonder what the pros paid them
Why does it matter?
Seriously at the time a white man couldnt get a job as a caddie,tough times.
Out of good jobs, life of being poor was life again. But it can't be called a modern day plantation...
Who cares it should be a trade that’s gone long ago! Golf carts and GPS work better and they don’t cost a 10% fee every week! Just another form of slavery back in the day.
Now that the price of caddies is high of course blacks can no longer caddy too much money for nerves to have 10% of the purse
This piece is so far off base. These caddies were given an opportunity that was far beyond anything they deserved in life. They aren’t victims
"Far beyond anything they deserved." Holy shit dude. I forget how 2nd nature racism is for some people. Wow
That's nasty and offensive. If a man wins a Masters through the significant contribution of his caddie, that's very important.