CADDIEMASTER Cares
A Personal Letter from Dan
Team,
Over the next few weeks, you’ll be hearing from me about a number of topics. But before anything else, I want to start with something simple: why CADDIEMASTER exists in the first place.
More than 30 years ago, our founder was working as a caddie at a high-end club near Washington D.C. when he saw something that didn’t sit right with him. At many clubs, caddies were treated like outsiders despite being the people who spent more time with members and guests than anyone else at the property.
That led to the idea of creating a caddie program ran the right way – created by a caddie, for caddies.
Starting with a single contract on the East Coast, he created CADDIEMASTER to improve the environment for caddies and to improve the golf experience for players. Since its launch, CM has created thousands of caddie jobs that otherwise would not exist. That’s an undisputable fact that he and all of us in the company take immense pride in.
We believed caddies deserved better, with more respect, more opportunity, and a stronger voice in the game of golf. CADDIEMASTER was built around a simple idea: if clubs invested in great caddie programs and treated caddies as professionals, the entire profession could grow and thrive for generations.
That’s what we’ve done at Pebble Beach.
When we arrived in 2003, the number of caddied rounds was a fraction of what it became. Together, with you, Pebble Beach, and our team working side by side, we helped grow one of the most respected caddie programs in the world. Those opportunities did not happen by accident. They happened because we all invested in the profession and believed caddies matter.
We know this transition to employees has created uncertainty and strong opinions. We respect that. But I want you to understand something clearly. Every decision we make is based on the same goal: strengthening the future of caddying and creating the best environment for all caddies to succeed.
There are a lot of exceptional caddies at Pebble Beach. Over these past several months, I’ve had the chance to spend real time with many of you, and it has only reinforced what makes this place special.
We are proud to be part of this program. Proud of what has been built here. And proud to continue advocating for the profession of caddying — the same way we have for more than three decades.
Dan
The New Standard of Caddie Excellence
- Identical Take-Home Pay with Massive Upside: While base “cash in pocket” per loop remains virtually identical to the contractor model, employees receive over $9,000 in additional annual value through benefits and savings.
- Immediate Tax Savings: As an employee, the company now pays the employer’s 7.65% share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which saves an active caddie approximately $3,300 per year compared to being self-employed.
- Retirement Security with “Free Money”: Employees are eligible for a 401(k) match where the company contributes 25% on the first 5% of your savings, providing a guaranteed boost to long-term financial security.
- Paid Sick and Safe Time: Unlike independent contractors who only earn when they walk, employees now accrue paid sick leave (up to 80 hours per year, with up to 40 hours carried over annually), providing essential income protection during illness.
- Comprehensive Injury Protection: Caddies are now fully covered by CADDIEMASTER’s Employee Workers’ Compensation, ensuring professional support and financial coverage if an injury occurs on the job.
- Guaranteed Reporting Time Pay: If you report for a scheduled shift and your loop is cancelled or you are not assigned work, you are now guaranteed “show-up pay” for your time.
- Legal Overtime Earnings: Employees are eligible for overtime pay at 1.5x or 2x their regular rate for long workdays or working seven consecutive days, as mandated by California law.
- Elimination of Work Expenses: The company provides a $30 monthly cell phone allowance and supplies all required uniforms and tools free of charge, removing costs that were previously paid out-of-pocket.
- Access to Protected Leaves: Employment provides a safety net for life events through California Paid Family Leave, Bereavement Leave, and Personal Leave, allowing caddies to prioritize family without losing their position.
- No Monthly Union Dues or Fees: Under the new model, caddies maintain a direct and collaborative partnership with management through an “Open Door Policy,” ensuring that 100% of your earnings and bonuses stay in your pocket.
- With You, Not Just For You: Continue our Phase Meetings, started in February, where all who want to attend can share thoughts, suggestions, and feedback directly with CADDIEMASTER. Together, we can Be Better.
TESTIMONIALS
Working at our club has been a life-changing experience. From creating strong bonds with the members and golf staff, to observing a championship golf course built from scratch, CADDIEMASTER has gone above and beyond to make a transformational caddie program with other passionate caddies who are devoted to the game of golf. There was skepticism about what the new management would look like, and all of our caddies who stayed thru the transition have no regrets and we now have an outstanding caddie manager who individualizes everyone’s outside life needs while balancing what feels like unrealistic expectations on a day to day basis. This will be my 30th year as a caddie, 10th season at the club, and by far the best caddy experience I have ever been a part of, that is only getting better and more legendary. I am grateful to CADDIEMASTER for protecting the community that was here before they arrived, and how the management has embraced us, and helped us become more successful.
John M.
Working as a caddie can be tough due to the uncertainty that comes with each day. Traditional caddie rooms are often handicapped by seniority and reputation, which makes it harder for new caddies to gel. Sometimes, you wait around all day for work that isn’t even guaranteed, while other caddies continue to get their daily loops. Other times, things outside of your control happen, and you get bumped to the back of the list for work that day. In my experience, working for CADDIEMASTER has made these issues nearly nonexistent. Rather than feeling like a lone animal fighting for a spot at the watering hole, you feel like you’re part of the pack. There is a sense of structure that is felt from the new hires all the way up to the managing staff. A standard is created and echoed throughout the caddie yard, and while it has taken time to build, I have seen what a group of good caddies can become — even beyond the golf course. It all stems back to the culture being curated by the ones running the show.
Brayden N.
As a caddie who was there before and after CADDIEMASTER, I wanted to say a few quick things. First of all change can be scary, I definitely get that. Especially when you’ve been somewhere for an extended period and are used to doing things a certain way. I wasn’t sure how this new company would treat someone who wasn’t recruited through their process. I’m glad I decided to stay the course. Not only were they supportive but extremely encouraging as well. The work was and has remained steady and being a familiar face to the membership in a time of transition can go a long way. Requests have increased and our management team works hard on every aspect of our behalf daily. If you’re on the fence about sticking around, my advice would be to give it a try. I’m glad I did.
Tom B.
Switching from an independent contractor model to an employment based model has been a substantial improvement. Clear and consistent policies along with a structured schedule have improved every aspect of our program. We’ve been able to further integrate our caddie program with the club and it has led to a mutually beneficial partnership.