Caddie Tales - Kade Mathner
From our high school golf days to looping the fairways of Montana and California.
This story features an inside look at a professional caddy. For me, this one starts back in high school — walking fairways with my teammate and friend Kade Mathner. We grew up competing together, chasing matches after class and talking about where the game might take us. Years later, Kade has turned that passion into a life spent walking some of the most scenic and exclusive courses in America.
Each summer (May–October), he caddies at Ironhorse Golf Club in Whitefish, Montana, a private Tom Fazio design tucked into the mountain valleys near Glacier National Park. Read about my time visiting Ironhorse Golf Club here! When the seasons shift, he heads west to The Quarry in La Quinta, California, where crisp desert air and world-class golf take over for the winter months. The Quarry is as a Tom Fazio designed masterpiece.
It’s a rhythm that blends work and adventure. Sunrise loops, new stories every day, and a lifestyle defined by the walk. We caught up recently to talk about how he got started, what he’s learned on the bag, and whether the road ahead might one day lead to the PGA Tour.
Pictured Left to Right:
Matthew caddying for Kade in the Alabama State Amateur Championship- 2022
Winning Sub-State for the Enterprise High School Wildcats - 2015
A few of the golf bags for our High School Team before a match at Wynlakes Country Club in Montgomery, AL.
The three seniors for the Class of 2015, pictured with Coach Joe Thornton. Trevor Pricket, Kade Mathner, and Matthew Campbell
Background & Beginnings
WGC:
Let’s start back at home — when did you first fall in love with golf, and what moments from our high school team still stick with you?
Kade Mathner:
First off, I want to thank you for our friendship and all the great memories we’ve made together on and off the golf course. And another thank you for putting together this very cool Q&A for your followers. I fell in love with the game one evening while on a beach vacation when I was 15 years old. Dad and I waltzed our way onto a golf hole late into the day and it was perfect scenery, peace, and a bonding moment for us. I was instantly hooked after a well executed chip and putt. So many memories from high school stand out. Our meals at Cutts before every home match, Coach Thornton saying “putt till you puke” among other things. Bus rides with a lot of powdered donuts and too many fun rounds with the guys. I’m most proud of our last year when we had a solid season with some wins and then I ended up making the state tournament as an individual. I’ll always cherish those times and people.
WGC:
You played golf at a collegiate level. After graduation, what pulled you toward caddying full-time and what skills do you use from your playing days as a caddie?
Kade Mathner:
After college, I was hired on at The Bridges at Tartan Pines as an assistant golf professional under Trey Andress who is a friend to both of us. Under his tutelage, I learned so many things about public, resort, and private club golf careers among many other things. Moreover, he put me in situations where I had to adapt and improvise on the fly which is what caddies do a lot. I thrived in that environment but wanted to leave my hometown and move out West while staying in the golf industry. So I figured caddying or as we say, “looping” was a good idea. And it was. It helped me travel the country and get out of my hometown, cultivate great relationships and make a good living.
I use a lot of skills from my playing days and I still play often. Because of my skill level and experience, I would say that there is an intangible aspect of being able to loop for other good players and knowing how to communicate in a way that is familiar to them while preparing for golf shots. Aside from dialing in exact yardages, cover numbers, breaks and speeds, etc.. getting my player comfortable and trusting in what we are doing is a skill I still use. Exuding calmness and confidence is crucial. Which is ironic because in my playing days I was not even close to being calm.
WGC:
Who helped open the door to your first caddie job? Was there someone who showed you the ropes early on?
Kade Mathner:
The caddie business can be tough to get into. I’m grateful for my caddie master at Ironhorse Golf club to simply take a phone call and resume from me and then hire me shortly after. Usually, it takes great networking and some luck to get in. I was fortunate to have an older caddie named, Kurt that has been looping for almost 20 years be a mentor. He works with me in Montana and goes down to La Quinta where I am at in the winters. He has some great insight into how to navigate the lifestyle of a looper.
Life as a Caddy
WGC:
You split your year between Ironhorse and The Quarry, which couldn’t be more different. What’s the contrast like between mountain golf and desert golf — both in the style of play and the people you meet?
Kade Mathner:
I would say mountain and desert golf differ in style of play based off of errant shots. A bad shot in the mountains will require a lot of foliage to navigate through and maybe a bear giving you a surprise. The ball goes farther in altitude which is also fun and an adjustment. Many courses are tree lined and somewhat old school classic style layouts with fairways running side by side. In my opinion desert golf is often easier because fairways are wider and turf conditions are extremely pure. But when you hit a bad shot you have to watch out for cacti, snakes, rocks, and desert sand. Layouts are more modern, diverse in design, playable for any level of golfer.
I meet great people everywhere I go. Montanans in general are wonderful people that I can relate to more so than California due to a more blue collar community I am in. Most people I work for are true 1%ers financially so it’s a different but good demographic that I enjoy working with. Most people at both places are very respectful and down to earth which is contrary to what many people might think about high end private club atmosphere. And Of course, there are always the bad Apples to look out for.
WGC:
What does a normal day look like for you at each club?
Kade Mathner:
Days are similar at each club. At Ironhorse, I show up to the club 45 minutes before the tee time. I put my caddie bib on and make sure I have all the essentials: towel, tees, range finder, divot tools, etc. I then go to the putting green which is located by the first tee box and greet my member and guests that he/she is hosting. After chatting for a bit we hit our first shots and play usually in about 4 hours. So much happens during the course of a round that will be further discussed. After we finish, I get paid and take care of their clubs and carts. And that is a full day of looping. Unless you double loop and then you do it over again.
WGC:
In your view, what separates a good caddy from a great one?
Kade Mathner:
The ability to be yourself at all times and being able to relay information and positivity in a way that relates to each person you are working for. Everyone can read greens well and give the actual advice of how to play the course. But it’s all about how and when you say it that really can make a difference in that players experience.
WGC:
Caddying puts you in the passenger seat for so many personalities. What has the job taught you about people and about yourself?
Kade Mathner:
Golf has a funny way of imitating real life with the different situations you come across during a round. I can often see how a player acts to something or someone on the golf course and then know how they will act outside of the golf course because they truly parallel each other. And I do interact with many people I work for outside of work so it’s interesting to see those behaviors match up.
As far as myself, I have realized how to communicate extra clear and concise. But ultimately it’s taught me to be myself. Many people that I loop for are at the top of their games in their career. They are put on a pedestal. The beautiful thing about working at these clubs I work at, is that it is encouraged to always be yourself. Be the raw version of yourself because it makes the experience for you and them better and more laughs will be shared which is what it’s all about anyway.
Stories from the Loop
WGC:
Every caddy has a story that’s too good not to share — what’s your best one?
Kade Mathner:
I honestly don’t have the long drawn out stories that most guys do. I’m still fresh. but I will say the most impressive thing I’ve seen from a golfer. My first year at The Quarry, I was looping for a rookie on the PGA Tour, Joe Highsmith. He’s playing in a money match with a member who is a +3 or 4 handicap. Neither of them hit a putt or a range ball to warm up but they are clearly good players so I thought this was going to be interesting to watch. It was a busy day so the pros start us on hole 10. Its an uphill par 5 that was playing about 620-640 yards that day with wind into the face. Joe steps up and cranks one out there 315 down the middle which isn’t surprising because he is on the PGA Tour. Going for the green in two shots that day was never a possibility in my opinion. 330 yards into the wind with water on the right. Joe didn’t think so, he hits a driver off the deck to 15 feet like nothing special just happened. And then proceeds to drain the putt for eagle. Seeing him do that so nonchalantly made me understand that tour pros are a different breed that can do things even good amateur golfers cannot do.
WGC:
Have you ever looped for anyone well-known, or had a day that went completely off-script?
Kade Mathner:
My only off script days are typically when another loop gets added on to the day or when I show up to work and the member wants me to play golf with them instead of work. I have looped for well known people and do more so in the desert than in Montana. Golden Tate and Rand Paul come to mind instantly. Politicians, athletes, sports team owners, you name it I have worked for many at the top of their fields.
WGC:
You’ve walked a lot of holes between two very different courses. Which one’s your favorite to loop, and why?
Kade Mathner:
To clarify, I am a forecaddie at both places which means I don’t carry the golf bags but instead I go to the fairways to locate balls of the tee and then do what any looper does from then on. I enjoy looping at The Quarry more because it is a Golf Club and not a Country Club. Golf Clubs are strictly golf only with no country club aspects to it and so rounds go by smoother with less distractions. Typically the golfers are at a higher level which makes my job easier. I also don’t look for golf balls as much in the desert because in Montana it is a tight golf course off the tee box. The Quarry is also rated top 10 in the country for Course Conditioning every year and has been rated number 1 before. It is a top 100 golf course as well. We pride ourselves on picking up every divot that is made and sanding it. Most golf courses do not do that so it really amplifies the immaculate feel around the place on every hole.
Lessons & Reflections
WGC:
Caddying can be physically demanding, but mentally it’s its own challenge. What’s one thing the job has taught you that you carry into everyday life?
Kade Mathner:
I’d say being patient and positive with people. I have to be like that on the golf course often, sometimes when I don’t want to be. However, I’ve learned that not exuding those qualities is less productive on a daily basis when interacting with anyone.
WGC:
After watching so many good players up close, what’s something they do differently that amateurs could learn from?
Kade Mathner:
Too many to count, but my main takeaway is a mental thing. Most pros are level headed. They don’t get too high or to low after golf shots. They simply accept the result and do their best to execute the next shot. Amateurs are on a roller coaster of emotions. I’ve had loops when guys literally say they could be on Tour after a good shot. And then they go up to the green and 4 putt from 20 ft and absolutely lose their minds. And it’s like that all day. That’s no way to play good golf. Keeping emotions in check is key.
WGC:
Has all this time inside the ropes changed the way you play your own game?
Kade Mathner:
es. I am a way better green reader and strategizer after looping. I wish I had those attributes in college. I am better mentally as well in ways that I alluded to in the previous question. I used to be a hot head where I could get too frustrated and it shows after a bad shot.
Looking Ahead
WGC:
You’ve got a pretty ideal setup bouncing between Montana and California — do you see yourself staying with that rhythm, or do you have ambitions to caddy on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour someday?
Kade Mathner:
I am very blessed to be where I’m at. They are Truly special places and I have a great quality of life at both places. I don’t have strong ambitions to loop on Tour because it really is a tough life unless your player is exceptionally good on the money list. However if the right player/opportunity presents itself I am open to it. And there has been some requests for me to loop for junior players that are at the top of their games which could potentially lead to professional golf. But I have a great thing going now, especially with the amount of networking I do. Other business ventures are in the works because of that and so I want to ride that wave.
WGC:
If you could choose one event or one player to caddy for, who would it be?
Kade Mathner:
Tiger at the masters in his prime. And if I have a son one day, I would love to loop for him.
WGC:
When you’re off the clock, what does downtime look like? How do you reset after months of walking fairways?
Kade Mathner:
Going to the gym is key for keeping my body in shape for the job. I am a golf psycho so I play golf a lot outside of work. Can’t get enough of it. However it is important for me to step away from playing the game, which I do during October/November so that I don’t get burned out. In Montana I hike, some fishing, rafting, paddle board, anything outdoors. In the desert I try to travel to San Diego when I can or find some good food spots in our desert. The occasional casino run and nightlife is always in play among caddies as we are known to have a good time.
Closing Thoughts
WGC:
What advice would you give someone who wants to make golf their career, whether through caddying or another path in the game?
Kade Mathner:
I am a relatively new caddie being 2.5 years into it. But my advice if they want to be a looper is to spend money wisely. It’s a fast pace lifestyle if you want it to be. You are always cash heavy and so as a young man it’s easy to get distracted and go down slippery slopes. Stay the course and understand you have a great opportunity ahead. I don’t have any other advice for other paths in the game other than the fact networking is crucial and is perhaps one of the best industries to do it. Especially in private and resort club atmospheres. So know how to do it properly and good things can happen.
WGC:
When you look back at all the loops, the sunrises, and the stories, what’s the one thing that keeps you coming back?
Kade Mathner:
There are so many things I love about what I do it’s hard to choose from. Looping encompasses a lifestyle of traveling and I would say that’s what keeps me coming back. The members I work for often provide these traveling opportunities with invitations to play or work at their golf clubs. Just like Wellington Golf Co, I highly value my experiences of being at the best golf courses and enjoying what the surrounding area has to offer. The game of golf has truly taken me to some special places with special people and that’s why I love being a looper.
Thank you to Kade Mathner for taking the time to sit down and answer our questions regarding life as a caddie! We hope you enjoyed the read and learned a thing or two. Until the next fairway!
