Occupation: Personal caddy
I live in the neighbourhood of Trivandrum Golf Club. Many of my neighbours and friends were making good money as caddies. Soon after I completed my Plus Two, I also began going to the Golf Club to train as a caddy. My father, Jayachandran, is a plumber and he was happy that I was earning from then on. Seniors train newcomers and within a week I had picked up enough to begin working as a caddy for the players.
The caddies reach the golf course by 5.30 a.m. The bags and clubs are kept in the locker here. We take them out, clean the clubs and arrange them in the bags. By the time the players come, we are all set. I have been working here for 10 years now. For the last seven years I have been a personal caddy of Suresh M. Pillai, an ardent golfer. Initially, I used to work as a caddy for his team of five who were and still are one of the first to begin playing in the morning. Sometimes, I carry the bags of two of the players. It is not so difficult because there is a trolley and we push that along the course. The caddy ought to know the course like the back of his hand and also know what club to give the players to play a particular hole. You learn by watching the players.
The caddies are allowed to play on Sundays and till a few years ago, we used to have a tournament for caddies. Most of us play and, in fact, there is a senior caddy who has now become a coach. I did win the tournament. I also enjoy and follow cricket.
I enjoy the three-km walk and find it refreshing to amble along this beautiful place. Many serials used to be shot on the premises of the club and its surroundings but now that has come to a stop. In the meantime, I completed my graduation and now I work as an accountant in Hotel Horizon.
When I began as a caddy I used to come in the morning and evening. Now, since I am employed, I can come only in the mornings. My work here has put me in touch with the captains of industry and commerce, top bureaucrats and other influential people. It is an interesting job and I plan to continue. We are paid Rs.100 per hour. Why should I give that up?
I hope the club continues to keep its place as one of the best even after its takeover by the Sports Authority of India.
(A weekly column on men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)
As told to Saraswathy Nagarajan
