Nick Faldo and Fanny Sunesson

[bistecca]

Was a Female Caddy a Big Deal?

The topic pretty much says it all. I watch a lot of golf, and I hardly ever see another female caddy - even now in 2010. I guess I am just curious how big of a deal it was for Sir Nick (a top pro in his heyday) to have a woman on the bag back in the 1980's. I am a big fan of Sir Nick, and this topic has always peaked my curiousity.

For the record, I am hoping to hear from people on both sides of the pond (this means you Mat!)

Thanks in advance for everyone's thoughts.

[Cut Off 6-iron]

Doesn't/didn't Henrik Stenson have a female caddy?

[golfpunk59]

[quote name='LOVE_NaYeonChoi' date='09 March 2010 - 05:08 PM' timestamp='1268183305' post='2305328']
Doesn't/didn't Henrik Stenson have a female caddy?
[/quote]

Yeah the same woman, Fanny Sunesson.

[bistecca]

Fanny seems like a great caddy - Stenson is doing well with her, and she seems to be well-respected. I am also a fan of Stenson, so I have extra interest in this post.

Keep em coming!

[mat562]

To be fair to Fanny, she was already a fairly experienced caddie when she got the phone call from Faldo towers, having cut her teeth on the tour with Jose Rivero and with a couple of seasons with Howard Clark under her belt. It was a bit of a turn up for the books when she first toted Faldo's bag, given the relative rarity of professional female caddies at the time and Faldo's position in the game, but people soon took to the idea of a high profile female caddie and she achieved a bit of cult status that had her probably equally as well known amongst casual golf fans as a lot of the pros. Faldo was apparently impressed with her dedication and attention to detail which obviously struck a chord with his own character.

What followed was a hugely successful partnership. The funniest blokes in the gallery had us all splitting our sides for months on end with their wonderfully original parodying of her first name, and Fanny herself had us all flinching every time she barked out her characteristic 'Stand still please!' even if we were already standing still anyway and miles out of the way at the hot dog stand.

From what I gather, as well as making a tidy living carrying Henrik Stenson's bag she's also branched out into the sports psychology line now and is doing very nicely; presumably as a result of the experience she's gained from more than twenty years' worth of caddying for some of the best players in the world.

[bistecca]

[quote name='mat562' date='09 March 2010 - 08:29 PM' timestamp='1268184578' post='2305386']
To be fair to Fanny, she was already a fairly experienced caddie when she got the phone call from Faldo towers, having cut her teeth on the tour with Jose Rivero and with a couple of seasons with Howard Clark under her belt. It was a bit of a turn up for the books when she first toted Faldo's bag, given the relative rarity of professional female caddies at the time and Faldo's position in the game, but people soon took to the idea of a high profile female caddie and she achieved a bit of cult status that had her probably equally as well known amongst casual golf fans as a lot of the pros. Faldo was apparently impressed with her dedication and attention to detail which obviously struck a chord with his own character.

What followed was a hugely successful partnership. The funniest blokes in the gallery had us all splitting our sides for months on end with their wonderfully original parodying of her first name, and Fanny herself had us all flinching every time she barked out her characteristic 'Stand still please!' even if we were already standing still anyway and miles out of the way at the hot dog stand.

From what I gather, as well as making a tidy living carrying Henrik Stenson's bag she's also branched out into the sports psychology line now and is doing very nicely; presumably as a result of the experience she's gained from more than twenty years' worth of caddying for some of the best players in the world.
[/quote]


Just what I was looking for - thanks Mat.

Would you enlighten me on why the duo split up? Was it amicable?

[doublenuts]

On the TGC discussion boards there is a member, Joro39, who is related to Fanny. You may want to post this question there.

[farmer]

Back to OP, I don't recall any controversy, it was just unusual. From what you saw on course, she was totally professional and very, very good. OT, I think Steve Strickers wife caddied for him and there have been some daughters (Calc, Lehman?) also.

[mat562]

As far as I remember, the split was simply a result of Faldo's star dimming a bit and him reaching the end of his full time playing career. Sunesson wasn't ready to call it a day and opted to carry on as a full time caddie on the regular tour so they went their separate ways.

From what I've seen, the split was entirely amicable and both parties speak warmly of the other. Faldo has always credited Sunesson with playing a big part in the success that he enjoyed in his banner years and always speaks highly of her when her name crops up. Similarly, she talks of her days with Faldo as being right at the top of the tree as far as her career achievements go whilst tipping a respectful nod to her current boss.

A young, relatively fresh caddie, male or female, being hand-picked by the [i]de facto[/i] World No.1 represents a remarkable achievement and acknowledgement of ability. I'm not sure that there's really been a comparable story in caddying circles in the years since Sunesson first picked up a tour bag.

[DDEM25]

Obviously not on Faldo's level, but Jeev Milkha Singh has a female caddy, atleast he did at the 2009 US Open.

[Langlands]

[quote name='DDEM25' date='10 March 2010 - 01:22 PM' timestamp='1268227337' post='2306231']
Obviously not on Faldo's level, but Jeev Milkha Singh has a female caddy, atleast he did at the 2009 US Open.
[/quote]

He has been working with that caddy for a while (think her name is Janet?) - she has been on Tour for some time now, although I would struggle to tell you who else she has worked with.

[DH48]

Fuzzy has his daughter caddy for him. She's pretty cute too.

[marcw]

Tom Kite has had a female caddy for a while now also.

[sharkhark]

[quote name='LOVE_NaYeonChoi' date='09 March 2010 - 07:08 PM' timestamp='1268183305' post='2305328']
Doesn't/didn't Henrik Stenson have a female caddy?
[/quote]
funniest post on golfwrx.........................ever

[Tmiller72]

[quote name='DH48' date='10 March 2010 - 09:06 AM' timestamp='1268229986' post='2306282']
Fuzzy has his daughter caddy for him. She's pretty cute too.
[/quote]

Yeah, she isn't bad at all. I wouldn't mind having Fuzzy as a father in law.