- Jun 10, 2014
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Matt Kuchar gives in, pays $50k to Caddie
- Thread starter NVGator
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2014
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- Jun 10, 2014
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- Jul 23, 2014
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Since65
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- Oct 5, 2014
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I clearly did not say it was his responsibility. I said it was an opportunity and the issue is generosity, not compulsion or coercion. Life is full of examples of people sharing their good fortune.
- Jun 10, 2014
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Should he make it rain at “Go Fund Me”, too? If you’re feeling generous, there’s a link in the dungeon seeking help. Maybe a Kuchar will kick in, as well.
Since65
Senior Member
- Oct 5, 2014
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This is a valid point. The dollar amount of any bonus is obviously up to Kuchar. In hindsight it just seems that 4/10 of 1% of his winnings is a little on the short side. It certainly wouldn't be viewed as being generous.
As opposed to being extorted I'd like to think Kuchar gave the matter some more thought and realized he had not been generous in victory. There have been lots of times in my life I've gotten input from people after I made a bad decision and been motivated to change my mind.
- Aug 25, 2014
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- Jan 2, 2018
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What are we comparing this to? Anyone know what other golfers typically pay their non-typical caddies? Unfair to Kuchar to compare this to what he normally pays his caddy. Would be interesting to see what other golfers paid.
Since65
Senior Member
- Oct 5, 2014
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Believe me, I am as selfish and miserly as anyone in Gator Nation. I struggle to be generous under any circumstances. It is not my natural instinct at all.
On the other hand, I have had some people be very generous with me in the past in situations where I didn't earn it or "deserve" it. That has had a profound impact on me and changed the way I look at some of these issues. I'm sure that is why I see the Kuchar thing the way I do. I certainly understand why others would see if differently.
- Jun 13, 2014
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From my vantage point:
1. The 10% has been an industry standard agreement, but usually reserved for full time agreements -- beyond the agreed upon T and E base. This started changing in the 90s as Tiger-fueled purses took this compensation to amazing heights, leading to Ernie Els paying a flat salary for his caddie -- no more 10%. More of the top players followed, including Tiger.
2. It was common for some pros, in events that his regular jock couldn't be on the bag for a weekend, to use a local for assistance. It would be standard practice to agree on a rate for the weekend and an agreed upon bonus if a winner.
So what Kuchar did was not out of the norm for anyone. It was not a great deal in terms of a win bonus -- and it looks like his brethren thought Kuch was being cheap and should have offered more. I do not know the background of the guy he chose, but if we was like most international locals, he doesn't know the going rate and it probably sounded great.
Bottom line: Guy made a bad agreement and Kuch was probably short-sighted when it came to playing out what might happen if he did win. It has been settled now and that will be that.
1. The 10% has been an industry standard agreement, but usually reserved for full time agreements -- beyond the agreed upon T and E base. This started changing in the 90s as Tiger-fueled purses took this compensation to amazing heights, leading to Ernie Els paying a flat salary for his caddie -- no more 10%. More of the top players followed, including Tiger.
2. It was common for some pros, in events that his regular jock couldn't be on the bag for a weekend, to use a local for assistance. It would be standard practice to agree on a rate for the weekend and an agreed upon bonus if a winner.
So what Kuchar did was not out of the norm for anyone. It was not a great deal in terms of a win bonus -- and it looks like his brethren thought Kuch was being cheap and should have offered more. I do not know the background of the guy he chose, but if we was like most international locals, he doesn't know the going rate and it probably sounded great.
Bottom line: Guy made a bad agreement and Kuch was probably short-sighted when it came to playing out what might happen if he did win. It has been settled now and that will be that.
- Oct 15, 2018
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Some of yall dont know jack and poop about this. The guy is a club caddy. He isn't a tour caddy. The deal Kuchar and him made was industry standard for a club caddy. No other tour pros are really standing up for Kuchar via the media because its obviously a huge PR move because they understand that most of you morons don't understand what a club caddy normally gets. With that said, promise you dollars to doughnuts that this year's tournament all the big name players will be bringing their normal caddies with them to 'support' Kuchar. Ortiz swindled himself some $ but I am sure he won't be popular when the tour comes back in town and all his buddies are on the wrong side of the ropes not making any money.
- Jun 5, 2014
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By the way, Jason here failed to mention his father has been (and still is) a pro caddy for decades, having carried the bags for Kenny Perry, Jeff Sluman, Steve Stricker and a number of others.
- Jul 23, 2014
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/end thread
