If all it took to qualify for the HP Byron Nelson was to flash of a huge smile and speak softly a few of words of encouragement then certainly Mike Rausch, Golf Professional at Fossil Creek Golf Club in Ft Worth, would certainly have no problem. But, it takes quality golf shots to qualify and Mike surely has Game to play.
However, it takes more than ‘want’ to qualify to play in one of the top events on the PGA Tour. It takes a high level of golf skill to get the honor to play in the mix with the top guns of The Tour. Mike feels he has it and is ready to test those skills competing by going thru the pre-qualify tournaments for the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
“This year was my fifth attempt to qualify and each year I get closer to making it happen”, said Mike Rausch the day after his attempt to qualify. “Each year I work on the part of my game that kept me from qualifying the previous year. Last year it was my overall attitude towards playing competitively holding me back and this year it was just my putting that let me down on a few holes. I’ll take that as a huge accomplishment and I’ll be starting today working on putting under pressure to get ready for next year.”
Mike keeps his focus on golf sharpened from working at Fossil Creek as a golf professional where he works the business and gives golf lessons. He also keeps his head in the right place throughout the year by caddying for Caddie Club Golf of Dallas. Mike is one of the most sought after caddies in the Caddie Club’s stable of professional caddies and has carried the bag for a number of the best amateurs in North Texas. His expert golf advice added with his natural conversation skills have produced some very happy experiences on the golf course for a stream of Caddie Club clients.
“Rauschy, as he is know in the caddie circle, is one of those guys who just likes to help and he has helped the Caddie Club get better by providing the Club’s management with a steady stream of feedback on where things need to improve in our processes which leads to improving our customer’s experience. Mike is is what we call a ‘Caddie’s caddie'”, said Michael Furrh, Caddie Master for Caddie Club Golf of Dallas.
Mike Rausch shot a +4 / 74 this year at the HP Byron Nelson Pre-Qualifier the PGA held at the Lantana Golf Club. He fell five strokes short of qualifying this year. Though he was naturally not satisfied with his performance he still saw the positiveness with being in the mix with a very large number of players attempting to go LOW for the day.
“We are confident in Rausch making it to the Show”, said Mark Neace, Owner and Director of Caddie Club Golf of Dallas. “He’s grown up in the world of competitive golf and has paid his dues towards developing the skills it take to play inside the ropes. His outstanding caddie skills are reflective of how much he has learned these past few years. We will be very excited when he finally makes it.”
Caddie Club Golf of Dallas has a number of golf professionals on its roster who all have dreams of playing on the PGA Tour. Their high level of knowledge of the game of golf and their practical experience of knowing how a caddie needs to think on the golf course is what they pass onto the rest of the caddie staff. This just goes to show the level of quality personnel the Caddie Club puts on the golf course for each golfers and golf event who hires them. It truly is the Way to Play.
I’ll be back soon with another interview of another caddie from the Caddie Club of Dallas.
Great piece.