Richard Squire: A caddie’s life

By Neville Idour

Richard Squire, a former professional golfer, was our caddie for a round at Te Arai Links' North course, and a fun time it was. He was a fund of knowledge about the area of Te Arai Links and it's Maori history. Importantly his guidance round the course and especially on the greens was spot on.

However we wanted to learn more about this interesting character so a chat in the 19th after our round was a no brainer.

We asked him where it all began?

``I grew up in the Hawke's Bay in an area called Onga Onga where there is a nine hole golf course,’’ Squire said.

``I started off playing left-handed because dad was a left-hander. But when I started playing cricket dad saw I could hit it twice as far right-handed. So it was then when I was 12 or 13 that I started getting into golf and playing a lot more.

``Onga Onga was a small club back then with about 60 or 70 members. As the years went by we were good enough to win the major Hawke's Bay competition for all clubs in 1996 when our membership was about 90. That was a big deal against the big clubs like Hastings, Napier, Wainui and Flaxmere. We won it again in 2012 when I came back and played for them. My parents still live in Onga Onga.

``From there I went to Hastings Golf Club and did an apprenticeship with the greenkeeper. It was great caring for the course and for practising as the course was immaculate.

``It was at that point I got down to a scratch handicap and started playing age group for Hawke's Bay at the age of 16. I played my first Interprovincials in 1998 and through until 2004. I was in the New Zealand academy squad and played for New Zealand but was a bit old and was dropped as New Zealand Golf wanted to put money into younger 16 or 17-year-old guys which I understood was fair enough.

“So I turned professional and played better. I played in Europe and did well on the Euro Pro Tour. Then I played on the Challenge Tour and played a lot with (fellow New Zealander) Gareth Paddison.”

``It was a great era with (Michael) Campbell, (Phil) Tataurangi, (Stephen) Scahill and co, plus Michael Hendry was just coming through the ranks at that time. While I wasn’t on the main tour I was doing well enough to keep my head above water. The hard thing is to earn an affordable lifestyle which I was able to do.”

Any wins to talk about?

``I didn’t win on the Challenge Tour but had a few wins on the Euro Pro Tour. My sponsor wanted me to go to the USA. So I spent a year there but found it pretty tough. It was so different and lonely. Whereas in America they are pretty much all Americans and it can be lonely for an outsider, in Europe it is international and the camaraderie is completely different.

``It is no wonder Europe does so well in the Ryder Cup because they are a group of internationals travelling and playing tournaments together whereas in America they are individuals travelling to play tournaments. A completely different scenario.”

Squire came home and caddied at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay but had an injury playing cricket. He then caddied at Bandon Dunes in Oregon on the western coast of the United States where the links courses are in the true spirit of Scotland’s ancient links.

“That was awesome and I found that caddying was way more fun than playing professional golf. No more 70 hours on the range and you could help other people play golf which was cool,” Squire continued.

“I spent four years at Bandon Dunes. I would go there for six months each year. Back then there were just three courses, now there are six. It was basically built in the middle of nowhere which is happening in New Zealand now.

``They built hotels and accommodation and made people come and play and stay on site. So there is an amazing culture of a public course. It is not a members' club. Anyone can play and stay. People turn up with a wonderful attitude and just want to have fun and it flows over to the caddies who want to have fun as well. They are the best boys trips you can imagine. In the middle of nowhere playing with friends on some of the best courses in the world. It doesn’t get any better.

“So that is how it is developing here with Te Arai Links.”

This writer can only heartily agree that Te Arai Links is already one of the world's very best golf destinations and as it continues the development of facilities, that rating can only rise.

“After the four years the housing crisis started in America and I was really unsure about what I would do so I came back to Wellington and lived there while a member at Miramar Golf Club.

``I played in multiple Duncan Cup (the top interclub competition in Wellington) winning teams for them.”

Squire didn’t quite fit the mould for Wellington representative selection so would play for Hawke's Bay and Onga Onga where he was more than welcome playing with many of the same mates he played with 20 years earlier.

“Nothing changes in Onga Onga,” Squire said with much laughter.

He lived in Wellington for four years while playing for Hawke's Bay and met his wife Kalisi there.

“We shifted to Brisbane. I got a director of golf job running Pacific Golf Club. We had 1200 members and I did that for four years. It was busy and stressful handling around 180 players every day. It wore me out a bit then I heard about Tara Iti.

``I saw articles and stuff and was already thinking of coming back and caddying at the New Zealand Open. So I did and saw the caddy master at Tara Iti who had previously caddied for me on tour. So we had a good chat and I said I was interested in having a couple of weeks at Tara Iti to see what it was like. He said perfect come on up. So I did and Barrack Obama was playing. I met Ric Kayne and some of the members. I thought this is something I want to be part of.

“That is where I am now. I was assistant caddy master at Tara Iti for three years. I trained a lot of caddies as well. However, when Te Arai opened I was always keen to work publicly as my background has always been at public golf rather than private clubs. So I was thinking I would caddy at Te Arai as I enjoy caddying for membership golfers. But I still caddy at Tara Iti for some of my regulars. I know when they are coming so I caddy for them there as well as here at Te Arai.”

He is trying to keep his commitments under control with two youngsters and a third on the way. His wife Kalisi is not a golfer.

“Here at Te Arai we know when I am working up to two weeks in advance rather than the night before and Kalisi appreciates that. So it is interesting times.”

So what lies ahead for Squire?

“More of this. I really enjoy hanging out with golfers and helping them. I am not playing much golf. I play a minimal amount, when my wife will let me as I have to do my bit with the children.

``I probably have a swing every couple of months. I haven’t lost my game. I played for Northland last year. I’m 43 years old so I could be playing masters' golf . If my schedule works I will try and play three or four tournaments a year and then hopefully be picked to play the Interprovincials. I would love to continue to play the Interprovincials and Masters if life will let me.”

On that note we thank Squire and wish him happy caddying.