Two-time PGA Tour winner Steven Bowditch might not be having the greatest year ever, but he made sure recently that one teenager is having one of the coolest weeks of his life at the John Deere Classic. Bowditch, who has made just one of his last 27 cuts, put out a call to arms early this week for a caddie at the John Deere.
"Any local kids/college players in the Quad cities area that are interested in caddying in the tournament this week, this thread is for you," Bowditch tweeted. "The best response/reason gets the job. 2p.m. Tuesday start, finish Friday. 1% chance Sunday. Payment: all leftover gloves and balls are yours."
A 16-year-old named Elias Francque responded and eventually got the gig.
Any local kids/college players in the Quad cities area that are interested in caddying in the tournament this week, this thread is for you. The best response/reason gets the job. 2pm Tues start, finish Friday. 1% chance Sunday. Payment: all leftover gloves and balls are yours 😉
— bowdo (@bowdo83) July 10, 2018
This man has the heavy lifting for the week.. Thank you to all that offered. Love reading the replies and DMs.
— bowdo (@bowdo83) July 10, 2018
Let's get it this week Elias! https://t.co/llmECjxR0H
Bowditch tweeted out a photo of his new bag man on Tuesday after Francques looped a practice round for him. Francques responded that "(I) appreciate the opportunity to be able to caddy for him this week. Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement. Let's get a W!"
Day one completed with @e_francque The kid is a stud!! #johndeereclassic pic.twitter.com/G0xKNYmueb
— bowdo (@bowdo83) July 11, 2018
Great to meet @bowdo83 in person. I️ appreciate the opportunity to be able to caddy for him this week. Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement. Let’s get a W!
— Elias Francque (@e_francque) July 11, 2018
"Back when I was 16 or 17, we had a golf tournament back home and I got to caddie for (2006 JDC champion) John Senden one time and it stuck with me," Bowditch told the Quad-City Times. "I thought one day I'd like to be able to do that with someone else.
"I got in late Monday afternoon and struggled to find a caddie just because I was a late entry. I thought it was a good opportunity to give someone like Elias here a good memory."
Hopefully even one that lasts past Friday.