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To be a Professional Caddie is not on the list of
jobs that small children dream of... Which were Steve’s interests
when he was a kid in New Zealand? When did you decide to dedicate
your time being a professional Caddie?
As a teenager in New Zealand I wanted to be an All
Black a Stock Car Driver and a Professional Caddy, fortunately I
have been able to do two of these things.
Your job has you travelling around the world many
months per year. How is it for you being so long away from home?
Have you decided until when you will do this job?
There is no doubt that all the travel makes the job
very difficult, especially living in New Zealand, I see myself
caddying for Tiger until he breaks Jack’s record of 18 majors and
that will be it for me.
Golf fans
only see the Caddie carrying the clubs’ bag on TV and they don’t see
that beforehand a very important work has been done. Give us an
overview about how you prepare an important Competition, from the
moment that it appears on the calendar until you arrive to Tee 1.
Prior to the tournament starting I always check the
course and at all majors walk the course early in the morning to
note pin placements and course conditions.
The Caddie and his Player spend long hours together.
For how many players have you worked? How would you define them
professionally speaking? Could you explain us the most important
virtue of each of them?
I have worked full time for three players Greg Norman, Ray Floyd and
Tiger. I have been very fortunate that all three players I would
describe as great competitors and extremely dedicated professionals.
Your present situation (your work for Tiger Woods,
who is possibly the biggest of all times) must be envied by most
Caddies of the Circuit. How’s your relationship with the rest of
Caddies? And with the rest of Players? Have you received important
offers to change?
Caddies are envious of Tiger’s schedule as he plays
the minimal amount of tournaments and still holds the number one
ranking, other players do ask me to Caddy on my off weeks but this
does not interest me.
Professionally speaking, which are your next
objectives? Is there any which you haven’t reached and which you
would like a lot?
Our year is always based around Tiger’s play in the
four majors so every year it is a goal to win one of these which in
turn makes it a successful year.
You have created the “Steve Williams Foundation”. Can
you explain which are the main objectives and to whom is it
directed?
The Steve Williams Foundation assists junior golfers
in New Zealand mainly who come from the smaller provinces that lack
financial support.
Let’s talk about Pitch&Putt, a sport very similar to
Golf, original from Ireland and that has a great success in
Catalonia. Have you heard of it? Have you been able to play it?
I have heard of pitch and putt but have not had the
opportunity to play...
Can you explain us any fun anecdote that has happened
to you? For example, arriving at tee 1st and noticing you have
forgotten the putter...!!!
2000 US
Open third round after a fog delay returned the next day with only
three balls in the bag, firstly Tiger uses one and gives it to a
spectator and then on the eighteenth hits one into the Ocean and now
we have just one ball left, had that ball gone in the Ocean or out
of bounds I would’nt be e-mailing you right now...
To
finish, a few short questions:
- The best
course you’ve played on:
Royal Melbourne.
- A golf day you’ll never forget:
Sunday 2000 British
Open.
- An impossible golf stroke:
40-60 yard bunker shot.
- If golf hadn’t crossed Steve’s life...:
I would have liked to have
been an All Black.
-
Three wishes:
Continued good health, a good family life and New Zealand win the
2007 Rugby World Cup.
Thanks a lot Steve!
Abril'07. Narcís Sureda, President
del Comitè d'Arbitres de la FCPP.
Octubre'06. Marc
Lloret, Jugador de Pitch&Putt.
Març'06. Xavier Ponsdomen
