This ‘Caddyshack’ Actor Wants to Be a Real Caddie at the U.S. Open
Danny Noonan might be the most famous movie caddie of all time. The soft-spoken fan-favorite from the cult classic ‘Caddyshack‘ was the famed looper at Bushwood Country Club, but he’s now aiming for a much bigger stage.
Michael O’Keefe, the actor who played Noonan in the 1980 golf film, is looking to get back on a bag in time for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in late September. O’Keefe grew up right near the iconic course, and he wants to use his expert knowledge to help a real-life golfer win America’s major. Ty Webb, unfortunately, didn’t qualify, so O’Keefe will have to find another pro’s bag to carry.
Michael O’Keefe played Danny Noonan in the film ‘Caddyshack’
O’Keefe played the role of Danny Noonan in ‘Caddyshack,’ one of the most popular golf films ever made. Noonan served as the caddie to Ty Webb, who was played by Chevy Chase.
In the movie, Noonan is a quiet looper who has bigger dreams, but his sarcastic humor on the course makes for some all-time scenes.
O’Keefe caddied at Winged Foot when he was growing up
O’Keefe might’ve played a caddie in a popular movie, but he was actually a looper himself growing up. And where did he caddie as a teenager? Winged Foot Golf Club.
Winged Foot, the site of the 2020 U.S. Open, is where O’Keefe spent two summers looping for members and learning the course. He caddied at the course while golf legend Claude Harmon was the club pro.
O’Keefe spoke to Golf.com about his Winged Foot knowledge and his desire to get back on the bag.
The biggest thing about Winged Foot is you can’t underestimate the power of the course, and you can’t fight the course. You gotta roll with it. As they say in basketball, let the game come to you.
Michael O’Keefe
O’Keefe went on to say he’s been studying meditation over the last 35 years, and he believes that could help keep his player mentally sharp throughout the tournament. He knows the importance of the mental aspect of golf and the caddie’s role in keeping their player calm.
Obviously, he said he’ll throw some ‘Caddyshack’ stories in there during the round to keep it loose.
O’Keefe is looking to carry a player’s bag for the 2020 U.S. Open
O’Keefe is serious about getting back in the looping game. This time, it would be in real life, at the U.S. Open.
Imagine how much fun it would be to have Danny Noonan on your bag. There’s only one guy really in the world that’s ever happened to and that was Ty Webb, and you can step into that lead right there. Boom, immediate association. Imagine your brand increasing from there… I just think it would be really fun, and I’m totally in shape. I’m totally gung-ho, and I am the man for your bag. If you need a caddie, you need Danny Noonan to caddie for you.
Michael O’Keefe
As long as he isn’t still doing drugs everyday, Noonan would be the perfect fill-in caddie for one lucky player at the 2020 U.S. Open.
