Official Caddying Story: John Hallberg

John Hallberg is the former CEO of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF), a post from which he retired in 2020. Prior to that, he led business divisions at companies like Getty Images and General Mills, but it was caddying in his youth where John laid the foundation for his career. Today, he serves on the board of the Minnesota Golf Association and is a director of the Western Golf Association. He is also a trustee of his alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College. 

At which golf course did you first caddie, and how old were you when you started?

I started when I was 12 years old at Midland Hills Country Club in St. Paul. I caddied for four years and then moved into the bag room until graduating from college. 

Why were you compelled to become a caddie?

We lived a block away from the course, so it was really easy to get there. I got turned onto it because my brother, who is seven years older than I am, had caddied and then worked in the bag room. I tried it and just loved it!

Take us through your first day on the job, who was your first loop?

We had a really robust caddie program at the time. You did on-course training in the spring as soon as the snow cleared but didn’t actually start caddying until the school year was over. My first loop was a guy named Don Gleason. He was about an 18 handicapper so not really a great player by any stretch. I remember he had one of those big Burton bags that was deep purple and magenta with matching head covers. And although I’m 6’3” now thanks to growth spurts, I was probably all of 5’4” back then. 

One thing for certain is that I talked way too much. Who knows if it was just nervous. But by the third hole, Mr. Gleason said, “If you’re going to do this well, you’ve got to talk less.” I didn’t say a peep the rest of the day. The going rate was about four bucks plus tip, so I probably walked away with five bucks, which was good money at the time.

What was the biggest mistake that you made during your caddying career?

Oh boy, yes, there was. I didn’t have many bad experiences caddying. Sure, you’d get the occasional asshole, but that was rare. One time, however, I wound up caddying for an attorney who had a volatile temper. He was known for it, almost legendary. He’d throw clubs and kick at the ground. This attorney was playing poorly that day and didn’t want to deal with me or even with his fellow players.

Well, I didn’t pick up on this very well, didn’t read the room as they say. I kind of had one caddying style that was high service and high touch. Very attentive, the ball was cleaned, clubs orderly, and yardages ready. This guy couldn’t stand it. 

At the turn, he ended up taking a cart, and I was moved to another player in the group who couldn’t have been nicer. He told me that I didn’t deserve to be treated like that. Evidently, the attorney had gone in and complained, but this guy had my back. He didn’t have to do that, so it was very kind of him. But I learned to read the room, and if someone is having a bad day, let them stew in it. Stay the hell out of their way! 

What did you most enjoy about caddying?

It was the relationships. Not only the member relationships but also the friendships I made with the staff, golf professionals, and other caddies.

Tell us about some of the people for whom you caddied, did any of them contribute to your career in a meaningful way?

Jack Boss, he was my regular loop. As caddies, we’d often be sitting in the yard playing cards or telling jokes, and he’d walk up, see me there, and then get me out on his bag. It was great. He was about a 10 handicap and played frequently, usually Wednesdays, Saturdays, and some Sundays. He smoked Camel Straights and had those Hogan persimmon woods with the “speed slot.” Jack was one of the first entrepreneurs that I met, and it really opened my eyes to what was possible. He owned a company called General Office Products, which was a local distributor of office furniture and things like that. He was a prime example of how caddying exposed me to people and careers that I didn't know a thing about. Whether it was doctors, lawyers, or bankers, if you listened a little, you could learn a ton.

Another meaningful person was Jerry Bilski. He didn’t play that often but his family, starting with his father-in-law, owned banks. In particular, they owned the Midway National Bank in St. Paul. When I was going into my senior year of college, I needed to get an internship. So I called Mr. Bilski and asked if there was anything that he could do. The next thing you know, I had an internship at the bank working with the head of marketing. I was on the ground everyday, and the experience opened me up to marketing, banking, and corporate America in general. Even though he didn’t know me very well, he had enough confidence in me to give me a shot. I’ll always be grateful for that opportunity.  

What was the biggest lesson that you learned from caddying that helped you succeed as you progressed in life?

The first would be hard work, how to have a strong work ethic. Not only do you have to show up everyday but when you’re carrying doubles, in the rain, holding an umbrella, it’s real work. Then, one guy hits it into the left bunker, the other guy hits it into the right bunker, and you have to rake both bunkers and tend the pin, while also reading the putts! It teaches you how to hustle, and it also teaches you that no job is beneath you. 

There was a lot of pride and confidence that came with moving from “B” to “A” to “honor” caddie, as your skills and reputation grew. One season I caddied 105 rounds, which was a feat given the relatively short time that golf courses were open in Minnesota. Usually working doubles and making around $9 per round, I’d put all of my money into a savings account at the local bank. And at one point in 1970 or ‘71 when interest rates were really high, I actually lent my father $4,500 to buy a new car. It was a Chrysler New Yorker, and it felt good to be able to contribute in that way.

The other big lesson is how to get along with people and the value of strong relationships. If there’s one thing I've done in my career, it’s that. Look at something like raising money for the CCRF the past 13.5 years, donors give to people not just to organizations. Despite the excessive talking with Mr. Gleason on day one, I was a really shy 12 year old kid, so caddying developed my ability to converse with 40, 50, and 60 year olds in a meaningful way. Twenty years later, I'd run into people that I’d caddied for, and we’d right up where we left off.

If you could nominate one former caddie who went on to enjoy success, whose Official Caddying Story would you like to hear?

The New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Tom Friedman, would be a great one for you. He grew up caddying and even caddied for Chi Chi Rodriquez at Hazeltine in the US Open. I’ll happily get you two in touch.