U.S. Open gives chance for local caddies to help the professionals

 

We are on the eve of competitive play at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills and already the course has faced the challenges of stormy weather and being flooded by spectator cars.

For some professional players without caddies, this week is a unique opportunity for local caddies to step up. Collin Gassner is a caddie from Mayville who has been caddying at Erin Hills for over seven years. This week he's caddying for French golfer Joel Stalter, a golfer he hadn't even met until Monday night.

Gassner walked the course alone Monday taking notes that will help Stalter decide which club to use and when to use it. 

Then the two paired off for a practice round Tuesday and are doing the same thing Wednesday, “He'd never seen the course, never been to Wisconsin. I help tell him where to hit it, what bunker to hit it at, tree to hit it at, stuff like that.”

There are other local caddies that are out here with the pros including the caddie for local golfer Jordan Niebrugge.