Official Caddying Story: Sheila Mulligan
Sheila is the Managing Director of Edelman's corporate brand and reputation practice in Chicago. She leads a team of over 50 specialists across Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Austin. She oversees a dynamic portfolio of clients centered on delivering solutions that promote, protect and evolve their corporate brand; while earning trust and engagement across a multistakeholder universe.
Her over 20 years of communications background encompasses corporate reputation management, transformation advisory, media relations, executive positioning, and corporate storytelling. She has diverse industry experience representing clients in both the public and private sectors including industrials, financial services, retail and food and beverage. She has led C-level advisory, thought leadership and corporate brand programs for clients across diverse industries and the Fortune 500. She sits on the Board of Trustees for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Before joining Edelman, she worked for Chicago-based public affairs firm Jasculca/Terman & Associates (JT). Her political- event work with JT, includes the Clinton Presidential Library Opening, the American Democracy Institute Chicago and Philadelphia Summits and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign launch.
At which golf course did you first caddie, and how old were you when you started?
The Beverly Country Club when I was 13 years old, I caddied there all throughout high school, ultimately finding my way to Marquette University as an Evans Scholar.
Why were you compelled to become a caddie?
My sister, Deirdre Keane, deserves all of the credit. She not only caddied at Beverly and became an Evans Scholar at the University of Illinois but is also hearing impaired, which made her feats all that more impressive. She paved the way for me, and it was much easier since people at the club already knew her.
Take us through your first day on the job, who was your first loop?
I remember being incredibly nervous. My hands were shaking, and it was also raining. But, I was fortunately put out with Mr. Prindiville, who was the kindest man and took pride in training new caddies.
I was also incredibly fortunate to work for Tom Gorman, a remarkable caddiemaster and icon at the club. He led with such empathy and inclusivity. He really got to know each caddy and even gave each person a nickname. He went to great lengths to pair you with the right people.
You have to keep in mind that caddying was brand new for me. My parents didn't play golf, so I had a lot to learn.
What was it like being a young woman in a mostly male caddie yard?
Being that I attended an all-girls Catholic school, it was really my co-ed time with the boys. I was blessed to work with the best people, a lot of them became big brothers to me. They were fun and hilarious. They were also chivalrous and would pick up your bag or forecaddie, if you needed help. Keep in mind that I may have weighed 100 pounds at the time and was caddying when the bags were huge! There was usually an extra pair of shoes in there, could have even been an anvil. They would also police any BS or guy talk that was inappropriate for a 13-year old, so I felt incredibly supported. And, like I said, my older sister also created a soft landing for me.
What was the biggest mistake that you made during your caddying career?
Oh, I made all of them, like providing the wrong yardage to the tune of being off by over 100 yards. There were several forecaddying situations where the ball got lost and was never found. Many, many faux pas. I was mortified, but I learned from it. It made me motivated to learn and be better. It also got me to start playing golf, which not only helped improve my caddying but led to a lifetime hobby.
What did you most enjoy about caddying?
Being outside and in nature, it was an oasis for me. In Chicago, there is always noise - trucks, cars, police sirens, etc. It honestly felt like I was in a different world. It was beautiful, clean, and sunny. I felt that deeply, and it has stuck with me. Actually, my husband and I just returned from a golf vacation, which reminded me of that oasis. In fact, he was also an Evans Scholar at Marquette, after having caddied at Butler National. We met at a mixer held by the WGA at Medinah Country Club before going off to college, so the Evans Scholars Foundation has been completely interwoven into all facets of my life.
Tell us about some of the people for whom you caddied, did any of them contribute to your career in a meaningful way?
Patrick McDermott, sponsored me for the Evans scholarship, which obviously made a big difference in my life. In addition to people like him, there was a group of women that made a big impact on me. They all had prominent careers, like lawyers or executives, and I called them the “Bad Ass Group.” They really opened my eyes to what was possible as a woman in business, but they were also tough on me. They expected great work from me as a caddie and wouldn’t let me sluff off. If I was underperforming, they’d let me know about it and held me to a higher standard.
What was the biggest lesson that you learned from caddying that helped you succeed as you progressed in life?
I learned so much about patience and empathy from Tom Gorman. He was also incredibly loyal and stood up for what was right, especially on behalf of caddies.
I also learned so much about people, which I was telling my daughter the other day. There was one loop where it was pouring rain and shooting lighting. In reality, my safety was in jeopardy, but the player really wanted to finish. Thus, we forged on. After the round, he bought me new clothes and treated me to a warm meal. During which, he really opened up about a lot of the things going on in his life, and I came to understand why the round was so important to him that day. There can be so much more going on under the surface, which was a good lesson for me.
The other thing would simply be to work hard. I remember a distinct moment when I passed the club pool and saw girls my age relaxing and having a great time. Of course, as a teenage girl, I would have loved to do that with my summer, but that wasn’t the reality for my family and me at the time. Those summers were hard, and I sometimes wanted to quit. My parents wouldn’t allow it, and the entire experience made me who I am today.
Now leading a large team at Edelman and working with some of the world’s largest brands, what skills that you learned caddying have you taken into your professional life?
The entire foundation of client service was learned caddying. Listening and understanding the individuality of a client or golfer, you have to know their personality and their little ticks. Are they quiet, gruff, or engaging? In caddying, you learned to adjust your approach, which has paid dividends. You have to be solutions-oriented and anticipate their needs, like yardages, green reads, and course strategy.
If you could nominate one former caddie who went on to enjoy success, whose Official Caddying Story would you like to hear?
Celia (Moore) Tagliareni was really my partner in crime, both at Beverly and later at Marquette as Evans Scholars; she now works at Google. Gaelen (Bell) Orbon was also at Beverly and my “big sis” as Marquette Evans Scholars; she’s an SVP at The Motion Agency. Liz (Nielsen) Maher, she’s the Director, Accounting and Tax Programs at National Business Officers Association (NBOA). Rosalyn King was not only an Evans Scholar but also a Daniel Murphy scholar, which has its own unique aspect for candidates that deserve recognition.
*This interview has been edited and condensed
