Round 1: Vijay came over and said …

Scotland’s Kathryn Imrie tells bunkered.co.uk about her first day caddying for former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as they tackled the competition head on and brimming with confidence …

What an eventful first day. We arrived at the range about forty minutes ahead of our 8:22am tee time and warmed up next to Vijay Singh. After Condi hit four or five “worm burners” right off the bat, I thought to myself yikes, what have I got myself in for!

Vijay came over and said, “ Can I give you a tip – slow down”. Condi laughed and said “ Vijay, thanks but I am not worried, I know how to do this!” A few worm burners later and I really worried that the occasion was going to get to Condi and this was going to be a long day.

However, once her nerves and everything slowed down, her game came back and she started to hit the shots I know she is capable of. Then it was off to the first tee. I got there in time to watch Lee Westwood tee off and then picked up my caddy bib and instantly became “official”.

Unfortunately, Davis Love had to with draw due to neck problems and was replaced by Jason Bohn. Jason is famous for being “the guy” who made a hole in one as an amateur, won a million bucks, instantly gave up his amateur status to turn pro and is still doing nicely on the tour today. The other two in the foursome were Joe Ogilvie and his amateur partner Randell Stevenson who is the CEO of AT&T.

Once the guys had hit off it was “show time” for Condi and all the way on the walk to the ladies tee I was reminding her to take in deep breaths and think in slow motion. A nice crowd had gathered at the tee and I was so pleased for Condi when she stepped up to that ball, went through her routine and nailed it.

There are two things I will never forget after she nailed it , one, her smile and total look of relief and two, when Joe Ogilvie asked her “ now which is harder, peace talks in the middle East or hitting the first tee shot here?” There was no delay in her response, “ hitting the tee shot!”

Our day got off to a great start. She played a beautiful bump and run with a hybrid at the first to about two feet and holed it for a five net four. At the second she hit the best drive of the day and proceeded to make par, net birdie and at the third she lipped out for another par. So, at this point all is good in the camp!

On the par three fifth she hit a beauty on to the green and two putted for par net birdie but then things started to unravel. The sixth hole is a wicked hole due to a large ”wall” of grass about 170-140 yards away from the green. Condi had this really awkward lie with the ball well below her feet and unfortunately, she smothered her shot into the crowd and hit a woman in the forehead. Just a very unfortunate incident but gladly the woman is all right and I know Condi will be in touch to see how she is doing after this event..

Not surprisingly, things were a little rocky for a few holes after that. Jason Bohn did his best to put Condi at ease by sharing a time when he hit someone during an event in Phoenix – it’s golf but unfortunate when it happens.

Condi had some magic moments at the 14^th where she chipped dead and at the 16^th where she hit two great shots to set up a birdie putt. All in all we had 6 good holes, 6 not so good and 6 that were acceptable. Not bad, but I know Condi can play better and hope to see her potential come through over the next two days.

Day one on the golf course was pretty special at Pebble but the evening entertainment might have stolen the show as I was invited to listen to two former Presidents share their thoughts on global issues. There I was sitting in the front row, pinching myself, as I was watched President George W Bush and President Clinton talk for over an hour. It was incredible and very interesting to hear two politically opposite leaders talk about the troubles in Syria, the Keystone pipeline project, Immigration policies, Health care issues and Education. President Clinton was a little more serious but I have to say George W has a great sense of humour!

So far my AT&T experience has been one great memory after another. Monterey Peninsula Country Club is next up which is another cracking golf course and a little fairer for the ladies! Lets hope the rain forecast doesn’t materialise and that good shots will be on show more often than not.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered