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Caddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story

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For many years the professional golfer was the guy in the limelight on golf's center stage. That was it. Think about it. Can anyone name those who carried the bag for Jones, Hagen, Sarazen, Snead, Nicklaus, Player or Palmer? Unless you are a bookish expert on the undercover aspects of golf it is likely that you can't.

And then things changed. And who changed them? Almost magically we all became acquainted with Tom Watson's caddy, Bruce Edwards. He was always there and he brought an appropriate respect to those who, day in and day out, walked the courses with the golfers we admired.

It was Edwards' focus on being a caddy--a professional part of the game--that changed things. No longer just some person brought along to tote the bag, the caddie emerged as an essential partner in the process.

Today it is not uncommon for us to know the names of the caddies of many of the top pros on tour or to keep track of their activities. For example, wasn't it interesting that, just a few years ago, Tiger Woods' decision to replace Mike "Fluff' Cowan with Steve Williams as his caddy made almost headline news in the world of golf? It was equally interesting that we all cheered when Fluff resurfaced on Jim Furyk's bag and was there when Furyk seized his first major at the 2003 US Open. I think I correctly surmise that none of this would have ever made a paragraph in the news without the pioneering influence of Bruce Edwards.

It's important to remember, as well, that Edwards gained his notoriety BEFORE his being tragically stricken with ALS. This book is not the result of someone playing solely on the tragedy but an "it's about time" story of one of the great personalities of the game of golf.

CADDY FOR LIFE: THE BRUCE EDWARDS STORY is a must read for anyone who loves the game. Filled with anecdotes, perspectives and the story of arguably golf's first recognized caddy, the book is an essential addition to the library of any serious student of the game.

I am not a golfer. I don't play golf, watch golf or even play an impressive round of putt putt. This is the third Feinstein golf book I've read and probably the best. I was amazed not only by the power of the story but once again at Feinstein's writing power. I first experienced it when I happened upon my ex-husbands "A Good Walk Spoiled" and thought I'd read a few chapters until I got to the library to pick up something I wanted to read... 544 pages later I was fired up and completely engaged in the world of golf. Since then I have suggested that book to everyone I know who even has a mild interest in golf and many who don't. I was sitting in a hotel room in California when I saw on the news that Bruce Edwards had died. I immediately ordered "Caddy for Life". Feinstein had me hooked after the first page of the introduction. He has helped share the legacy of Bruce Edwards with a non-golfer like me. He treated Edward's life with dignity and compassion while giving the special gift of letting the reader meet the remarkable man which Bruce Edwards embodied. He will be missed not only on the golf green but also on this planet. Read this book... may we all be able to live a life as intentional and giving as Bruce Edwards.

Perhaps my only mistake was choosing to start reading this book the same night I had finished John Feinstein's most recent effort, "Let Me Tell You a Story," his book about the legendary Celtics figure, Red Auerbach. For that reason and that reason only, it took me a little longer to get into this one. After all, following that one is almost impossible.

But this one does. It is at times funny and sad and as a result, there are times this book brings out a smile, but many times it brings out a tear. But through it all, Feinstien's gift for telling a story makes this book one of the best books I have read. It is a story about a caddy with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Bruce Edwards, the long-time caddy to golf great Tom Watson, was diagnosed with the fatal illness in January of 2003, a little more than two years ago. The book chronicles his life on the PGA Tour with, not only his brother-like relationship with Watson, but with everyone who ever came into his life. It is apparent that he touched a lot of lives during his 30+ year career on tour.

Through it all, until the end, Edwards was a picture of perservearance, bravery and courage. He refused to let the illness get the better of him. If memory serves, Edwards passed away shortly after this book was published. May he rest in peace.

I've read several of John Feinstein's books, and have never been disappointed. This was one of his better efforts. It's the story of Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson. Edwards was a caddy, and was lucky enough to hook up with Watson back in 1973. He spent most of the next 30 years caddying for one of the best golfers and best people in the game.

The book tells the story of these two remarkable individuals, and shows how well-liked they both were on the PGA tour. The last part of the book describes the 2003 season, and how tough it was for both of them. Edwards was diagnosed with ALS at the beginnig of the year, and struggled to make it through one final season as Watson's caddy.

Watson is portrayed in the book as a great friend and boss. He realized how lucky he was to have Edwards as his caddy and friend for all those years, and Edwards was just as aware of how lucky he had been. It's just a shame they didn't have a few more years together.

I read John Feinstein's account of Bruce Edwards life with a sense of both sadness and joy.

Sadness in knowing that a great man has left his family, friends, and those of us who admired him way too soon.

Joy in knowing ,after reading Feinstein's words, that Bruce Edwards had truly lived the life he wanted to live and had shared his love of life with countless people.

"Caddy for Life" is the best writing thus far from the pen of John Feinstein.

Even those who are not fans of the game of golf can learn about the game of life from this book.

On several occassions, I found myself getting choked up while reading this book. It is intensly personal and we're lucky to be provided with an up close view of what Bruce Edwards and those who loved and worked with him went threw. Experience is a hard thing to acquire, unless you actually have it. This book offers a rare exception to its reader.

Being an Avid Golfer, I was drawn by this story of courage under the face of the biggest adversity a person could ever face, knowing you are going to die. This story is a touching tribute to Bruce Edwards, the long time caddy to PGA tour vetran Tom Watson and a tribute to Bruce as not only a great caddy but a great person as well. It is a story of two men who forged a freindship over the years that brought them "Closer than Brothers" and a tribute to the class and dignity in which Bruce displayed in facing ALS or "Lou Gehrigs" disease.
We never know if and when something devestating will hit us or someone we love, but Bruce Edwards shows that you can have dignity in dying and that the Human Spirit prevails in the worse of conditions. A must read right there with Tuesdays with Morrie!

Do you have a long-time friend who has made a big difference in your life? I hope so.

Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson have been blessed to have one another as friends for over 30 years. Mr. Edwards was Mr. Watson's primary caddy for all but four years of that time. They've supported each other through victory, defeat, family problems, and serious illnesses. Both are graceful men who want to help others and take responsibility for their own actions. That friendship became more important to both of them in 2003 when Bruce Edwards was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and they knew their friendship would soon be over. This book features the magnificent story of how both of them responded in uncommonly valiant and wonderful ways to this new challenge.

This book will be most appealing to those who have been caddies, fans of Tom Watson, those who know someone with ALS, people who value friendship and those who appreciate the potential of the human spirit to rise above the physical world.

Although this book is a memoir about Mr. Edwards, you cannot tell a caddy's story without talking about the people he caddied for so there's lots of golf history including Mr. Watson's famous chip-in at the 17th hole at Pebble Beach, his many British Open wins and keen insights into the character of many famous golfers (including Greg Norman for whom Mr. Edwards caddied for four years).

You will learn how Mr. Edwards decided upon caddying as a career. He had caddied at his home country club in Connecticut where a tour event was held annually, and loved caddying for a pro in that tournament. Having disliked the discipline of school, he enjoyed the freedom and camaraderie of the links. Upon graduating from high school, he persuaded his parents to let him try his hand at caddying for a year. At that time, there were few caddies who worked regularly on the tour. Mr. Edwards soon got Mr. Watson's bag . . . and kept it.

Naturally optimistic and positive, Mr. Edwards has always been generous in sharing those traits with other golfers . . . even Mr. Watson's opponents. You'll find out about the many times he helped Mr. Watson get an advantage that might otherwise not have been his.

Facing a near-term death sentence, Mr. Edwards soldiered on as best he could in the 2003 season. He made the best of his rapidly diminishing physical capabilities, and was generous in helping make others feel more comfortable around him. Mr. Watson responded by playing at the top of his game for a man his age so that he could share more success with Mr. Edwards. Mr. Watson also took on a crusade to raise money for ALS research hoping to help save Mr. Edwards' life. It's a beautiful, touching and memorable story.

The book's main weakness is that it is a little too much about Mr. Watson prior to 2003 and a bit too little about Mr. Edwards in those years as well. I would have liked to know more about Mr. Edwards' views on golf and caddying . . . and his advice for the rest of us.

If you don't have that long-time friend, you need to start looking.

I suggest that you consider giving this book as a gift to young people to help them understand how to build a meaningful, satisfying and contributing life.

Bruce Edwards's parents expected their son to attend college and to enter the medical field in a worthy career. After working as a caddy, Edwards took them by surprise with the news that he would seek a career as a caddy. Author John Feinstein tells us how Edwards eventually became the caddy for golf champion Tom Watson. Together, Watson and Edwards brought home many prestigious awards and titles.

After hearing Feinstein's audio book, listeners will discover it wasn't the material things that deemed caddying worthwhile for Bruce Edwards; rather, it was his personal, as well as his professional life in the golf world. Feinstein relays Edwards' relationships, especially with Watson, to show why Edwards was held in high regard by his friends.

The abridged edition goes behind the scenes of professional golf, but not in as much as the book version. Reading the book or listening to the audio, golf fans will appreciate Bruce Edwards's passion for golf, as well as Feinstein's dedication to writing about it, especially when it gets personal.

In the days where professional golf seems to be so much about the money, it is refreshing to read a story about another aspect of golf that is not often told. The personal side of the relationship between a player and his caddy. Not just any player - Tom Watson. Not just any caddy - Bruce Edwards. They met by chance and Watson said they would try it for a week and see how it goes. It went for 30 years and ended only because Edwards contracted ALS. This is a charming and well told story that will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. It isn't all fairways and greens. It also involves a heart and a soul.