Caddying for Jamie Broce is a position that Phil
Gibson has been humbly filling since he was first asked in 1999. Filling the
role as caddy and “second father”, Phil had the pleasure of traveling the
country with Jamie for three and a half years as he followed his dream of becoming a
professional golfer.
An Indianapolis native, Jamie was a successful
golfer at Ben Davis High School and Ball State University, where he graduated
in 1999. He is currently the Head Coach
of the University of Toledo Men’s Golf Team, and is the excited for his time to
shine. Local Henry County couple, Phil
and Linda Gibson, owners of Whitetail Tree Farm, couldn’t be more proud of
him. “We just love to watch Jamie play,”
Linda shares. “When he plays, it’s like he is crafting a magnificent piece of
art — painting a beautiful picture.”
Jamie and Phil will be heading to Valhalla Golf
Club in Louisville, Kentucky, August 2-10 to compete against more than 140
golfers for title of PGA Champion. While
Jamie’s journey to Louisville started many years ago, he qualified for the
championship just last month in very dramatic fashion. “Jamie is a machine,”
Phil explains, “and he has had his share of good and bad experiences. But at
the end of the day, Jamie is the best golfer in the world.” Jamie was tested when he competed against 312
PGA Professionals to earn one of only 20 spots in the 2014 PGA
Championship. The 47th PGA
Professionals National Championship was held at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
and Grande Dunes Resort Club in Myrtle Beach June 22-25. Jamie placed second in the PGA Professionals
Tournament, losing in sudden death to Michael Block, after leading the
Championship since the ninth hole of the second round.
While losing the Championship, after coming so close to
winning, might mean defeat for many athletes, Jamie handled himself with
dignity, and just a few tears. Those
tears came as Jamie’s two children ran to him and shared, “Daddy, we are so
proud of you.” That’s what makes this
volunteer caddy position for Phil worthwhile.
Simply stated Phil approaches his role as a servant — managing the tools
that Jamie needs to do his job. Phil,
known as the “rock”, also serves as the comic relief for Jamie during tense
tournaments. “If you can’t have fun,
then there’s no sense in even playing,” Phil explains.
Phil and Linda are excited to support Jamie and his
family, and get away from the tree business for a bit. Undoubtedly, Phil will walk side-by-side
Jamie, walking the course backwards, analyzing every possible shot and
practicing, practicing, practicing. At
the end of the tournament, whether Jamie wins or not, Phil, and Linda, will be
thankful for the experience, but more importantly, the tremendous love and support
they are able to provide Jamie and his family.
About Whitetail Tree Farm
Phil and
Linda Gibson, together with their family, invite you to create memories that
last a lifetime. From the 55-acre
Christmas tree farm, to fall fun, farm animals to the covered pavilion,
Whitetail Tree Farm has something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Located half-way between Muncie/New Castle, and
just 40 minutes from Indy, off Highway 3 near 36.
For more information about Whitetail Tree Farm, visit www.whitetailtreefarm.com.
To learn
more about Jamie Broce’s road to the PGA Championship and the tournament at
Valhalla Golf Club August 7-10,
visit www.pga.com.