Raleigh, NC – February 12, 2025 – A landmark moment in professional golf is set to unfold next Sunday as the first-ever university-certified Professional Caddie Certification Program debuts at Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University. This groundbreaking initiative is convened by Tour Caddie Collective and NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education, with support from the Association of Professional Tour Caddies (APTC) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
Designed to elevate professional caddying to new heights, this program establishes the gold standard for entry-level caddies seeking careers at the tournament, country club, and resort levels. Participants will receive elite instruction in essential disciplines, including rules, statistics, psychology, physiotherapy, advanced course management, green reading, and the latest in golf technology.
In an industry first, attendees will gain hands-on experience working alongside the NC State University Golf Team, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world, on-course scenarios—an invaluable component of the program.
World-Class Instructor Lineup:
- Todd Satterfield – USGA & PGA TOUR Rules Official, with officiating experience at The Masters, U.S. Open, and other top championships
- Austin Powell – PGA TOUR Statistician
- Josh Nichols – Golf/Sports Psychologist
- Justin Blazer – AimPoint and Green Reading Expert
- Digby Watt, MPT, MTC, CSCS, CGFI – Tour Physiotherapist
- Grant Berry, Mike Hicks and Heath Holt – Veteran Tour Caddies with multiple Major, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and Championship credentials
Participants will also receive specialized training in AimPoint, green reading, GC Quad and TrackMan systems, course, and player management strategies, and even CPR training, equipping them with the tools needed to succeed at the highest levels of the game.
A Game-Changer for the Caddie Profession
“This program is a game-changer for professional caddies,” said Grant Berry, Principal of Tour Caddie Collective and a professional golf caddie for over 40 years. “By combining expert-led instruction with university certification and on-course training with the NCSU Golf Team, we’re setting a new industry benchmark for caddie education and career development.”
Mike Hicks, program instructor and co-founder, added:
“Graduates of this program will be fully prepared to step onto the tournament stage with the skills and knowledge required to thrive at the highest levels.” Hicks is best known for caddying Payne Stewart to his iconic 1999 U.S. Open victory, and he sees this program as a way to elevate the profession for future generations.
As the first university-certified professional caddie program, this initiative raises the bar for caddie education and formalizes a direct pathway into professional golf.
“This program represents a major step forward in workforce development for the golf industry,” said Dan Gerger, Director of Continuing and Professional Education at NC State University. “We are proud to help create a program that will shape the future of professional caddying and open new doors for those looking to establish a career in golf.”
For more information and program details: Professional Caddie Certification Program | Continuing and Lifelong Education
Watch Video promo: https://youtu.be/TM-DKvnhrAs
Program and Instructor Links:
| Sunday 16 – Introduction and Fundamentals | |
| Morning: Classroom Session | |
| Meet the Instructors | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Introduction to the Program | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Overview of Professional Caddying Fundamentals | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Understanding a Week on the PGA Tour | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Fundamentals of Yardage Book Usage | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Afternoon: On-Course Session | |
| Walking the Course with Yardage Book Instruction | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Monday 17 – On-Course Training, Green Reading | |
| Morning: On-Course Session | |
| Aim Point and Green Reading Techniques | Justin Blazer |
| Afternoon: On-Course Session | |
| Enhanced Yardage Book Usage with a Player (9 Holes) | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Tues 18 – Rules, Course Setup, Agronomy & Environmental Impact | |
| Morning: Classroom Session | |
| Understanding Golf Rules & Tour Course Setup Insights | Todd Satterfield |
| Grass Types and Geographical Playing Conditions | Brian Green |
| Environmental Impact on Course and Ball Distances | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Afternoon: On-Course Session | |
| Application of Morning Learnings | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Wed 19 – Technology and Data | |
| Morning: Classroom Session | |
| Analytics and Data in Caddying | Austin Powell |
| Observing Player Teaching Methods | Will Lewis |
| Afternoon: Classroom Session | |
| CPR Training | NCSU Health & Safety |
| Thurs 20 – Professional Opportunities, Team Comms & Management | |
| Morning: Driving Range/Classroom Session | |
| Usage of Trackman & GC Quad Technology | Jacob Hicks |
| Discussion on Professional Opportunities | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks/Heath Holt |
| Effective Communication within the Team | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks/Heath Holt |
| Crowd Management Strategies | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks/Heath Holt |
| Afternoon: On-Course Session | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks/Heath Holt |
| Practical Application of Morning Learnings, caddying 9 holes/ player | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks/Heath Holt |
| Frid 21 – Theoretical Breakdown and TPC Ponte Vedra Play | |
| Morning: Classroom Session | |
| Hole-by-Hole Overview of TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Afternoon: On-Course Session | |
| Practical Implementation of Morning Learnings | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Sat 22 – Wellness, Summary, Certificate Presentation | |
| Morning: Classroom Session | |
| Managing Pressure and Personal Wellness | Josh Nichols |
| Physical Training and Stretching Techniques | Digby Watt |
| Program Summary | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
| Certificate Presentation & Group Photograph | Grant Berry/Mike Hicks |
