VETERAN CADDIE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

VETERAN CADDIE

OLDEST IN BRITAIN CARRYING FOR THE FAMOUS For four miles bearded James Davidson, aged 79, followed me through the pouring rain, carrying my golf clubs, states a woman reporter of the Sunday Chronicle, London. I gave him five shillings. "Thank yo," chuckled James Davidson, rather out of breath but little the worse for his long walk through the rain. And this 79-year-old man. Britain's oldest caddie, trotted away happdy. Thirty-live years ago James Davidson became a caddie at Sunningdalo golf course. He had been club carpenter, but an accident robbed him of the use of his left arm. So ho laid down his kit of tools and picked up a bag of golf clubs. Since then ho has-been "Jimmy" to the kings, princes, diplomats, film stars and famous golfers to whom ho has acted as caddie. The Crown Prince of Sweden, the Duke of Connaught, Princess Patricia. Princess Helena Victoria have all asked for "Jimmy" ns their caddie at Sunningdalo. Golf lions like Harry Vardon, Jack White, James Braid, Cienc Sarazen, Leo Deigel and J. EL Taylor have all employed Jimm/ Davidson as enddie. "Best game I've seen?" said Jimmy when wo reached tho first tee. "Ah, that was when Bobby Jones beat tho record of Sunningdalo. Never saw anything like it. Ho went round in G6 and 68 —beautiful play! Aftor a paiticularly vicious burst of raid 1 asked Jimmy whether he could manage 18 holes. "Lordeo," ho chuckled into his beard, "sometimes during matches L do 38. LCour days running. But then, Jimmy only lives for golf. He was born near the St. Andrews j course.