CADDY Duncan Robertson believes there is “no limit” to what he and golfer Paul Waring can achieve on the European Tour after a successful debut season.
The pair guaranteed their place on the Tour in 2009 after an eventful first year, which included a 19th place finish at the British Open at Royal Birkdale.
They have shared a love of golf since they met at Wirral Grammar School and are both members at Bromborough Golf Club. When Paul gained a place on the Tour last November Duncan decided to put his own career as a physiotherapist on hold to join him as caddy.
Robertson said: “It’s been a great first year and job done as far as we are concerned. We wanted to secure Paul’s place for 2009, that was always our main aim and we are delighted to have done it.
“There were some lows, there was a stage earlier in the season when we missed three cuts in a row, but you have to try and learn from it and move on.
“The highlight was obviously doing so well at the British Open, especially with it being on home turf. We knew a little of what to expect because we were at Carnoustie the year before but finishing in the top 20 and playing on the last day alongside Phil Mickleson was a great experience.”
Robertson qualified as a physiotherapist from Birmingham University and hopes to combine his caddying duties with physio work next year, admitting that he simply didn’t have the time to do both this time round.
He added: “I put the physio on hold because when you’re on your first year on Tour you never know where you are going to be, be it home or away, so it’s hard to plan things. I have tried to do a little bit to keep my skills up and I do a bit of work with Paul. By qualifying for the Tour again next year we can have a better schedule and we are able to plan more. I’m hoping to get more physio stuff done because I will know when I will be free to do it.”
Robertson’s role as caddy is not simply limited to carrying the clubs round the course. He needs to work closely with Waring, learning the layout of each hole and trying to make sure he plays the right shots and chooses the right clubs. He believes the pair’s close relationship is one of the reasons behind their success this year.
He explained: “We have a good relationship and we do spend a lot of time together on and off the course. People say that could cause us to fall out but it works the opposite way. We are not afraid to say things that need to be said and know when to give each other a bit of space.”
Robertson feels that while playing for a second time will offer more opportunities for success, the hard work has only just begun.
He said: “It has been plain sailing for us so far really. Next year we will be able to get to bigger tournaments with bigger purses. We just have to keep working and striving to get better and move up the list. Phil Mickleson was chatting to me at the Open and said he thinks Paul can go all the way. For me there is no limit to what we can achieve.”
