With 34 victories worldwide, seven Ryder Cup appearances and bagman of this week’s host Luke Donald, Mick Doran is not short of experience when it comes to caddying. We caught up with Mick and asked him some questions – and we are sure you will find some of his answers rather interesting:
Q: How many players have you caddied for?
A: There’s been quite a few – Costantino Rocca, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, David Howell, Darren Clarke, Paul Lawrie, Thomas Bjørn, Richard S Johnson, Cameron Tringale, Brendan Steele, Camilo Villegas, Trevor Immelman, Francesco Molinari and now the British Masters host Luke Donald.
Q: How did you get into caddying?
A: I started caddying at Wentworth, aged 12 with six other guys and four of us are still caddying today.
Q: How long have you been a caddy for?
A: I started life on Tour in 1988 and to this day I still haven’t given a wrong club…!
Q: Favourite course and why?
A: It’s got to be Augusta National, especially when it’s firm because you have to use course management or you could rack up any sort of score! It’s the ultimate experience and one I look forward to every year.
Q: Greatest golfing memory?
A: Watching some of the greatest golfers play the World Match Play at Wentworth in the 1980s as a kid.
Q: Best city visited and why?
A: I loved going to Madrid when I was younger - had such good fun there, and the food isn’t bad either!
Q: Best caddying moment?
A: Winning the PGA at Wentworth with Rocca in 1995 and then with the legend that is David Howell in 2006. Also, Rocca holing a putt in the Open Championship at St Andrews in 1995 from the Valley of Sin to get in a playoff with John Daly.
Q: Have you ever forgotten anything (golf related!)?
A: I forgot my yardage book at Valderrama with Rocca and had to write the spots down on a random piece of paper. I had to talk my way around the course!
Q: Worst call you’ve made?
A: It was at the Ryder Cup with Rocca in 1993 at The Belfry - we were one up with two to play and we three putted the 17th to go down the 18th all square. The 18th was downwind and I made him hit the three wood off the tee - it was the right club but he wasn’t comfortable and he blocked it right. We went on to lose the hole and the match against Davis Love III meaning the Ryder Cup went to the USA 15-13. It taught me that caddying is all about reading a player, and if he is not comfortable with the club he is not going to hit a good shot – they must be 100% happy to allow them to hit. I learnt a good lesson there.
Q: Best rant you’ve been on the end of?
A: There have been a few rants, but you have to get used to that! They have to let out their frustration somewhere - and as we all know it is the most frustrating sport ever!
Q: Caddy roommate on tour?
A: There have been a few, and still is, but I give this one to big Wayne Clarke. Unfortunately he is no longer with us but he will always be in my memory.
