Kim Shares Her Experience as a Caddy

DURHAM— Recently at LPGA Q-Series, Duke graduate and current LPGA member Gina Kim caddied for her former Blue Devil teammate Jaravee Boonchant.  Boonchant concluded the two-week stretch in a tie for 21st to secure her 2023 LPGA Tour card.

Both Kim and Boonchant helped lead Duke to the 2019 NCAA Championship, which was head coach Dan Brooks seventh overall during his time in Durham.  

During the two weeks, Kim learned a lot as a caddy and shared her thoughts with GoDuke.com:  



3 Things I’ve learned as a Caddy:

1) Naps are part of the job

2) No matter what, the boss is always right

3) Being a caddy is hard

Starting on the first day, I was more than excited to help out my best friend start the-two week grueling journey towards becoming an LPGA pro. I was so excited to help her out that I forgot to strap her bag securely on the cart and sure enough, the bag fell off onto the cart path – on the first hole. Yikes, talk about a solid start.

Luckily, Jaravee was more than understanding (thank God because I dropped her putter on the cart path on the second week too). Through the mistakes and determination to make it to the finish line, my experience at Q-Series was eye-opening and impactful in a way where I felt like not only did I help Jaravee, but I helped my own game too. By looking at the game objectively, but still being close enough to sense when my friend’s stress levels are going up, I’ve found how to help her manage her emotions and my emotions as well.

More than that, it was truly a humbling experience for me knowing that I played a very small part in my friend’s success. Being able to watch one of my best friends finally get her LPGA membership was definitely one of the best moments I’ve gotten to witness firsthand. Jaravee, I’m so proud of what you accomplished and what lies in the future for you. I am so excited to have a travel buddy and can’t wait to start the 2023 season together!

Also, my respect for caddies went up by a mile. What a tough job yet the amount of people who constantly show up to their job and try to help their players become the best they can possibly be is truly inspiring. I am so glad and fortunate I was able to do this to gain another valuable perspective (thanks for not firing me…