Longtime caddie began career at John Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. – Longtime PGA TOUR caddie Tony Navarro was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame on Wednesday, July 5, during the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

A native of Moline, Illinois, Navarro has been a professional caddie for more than 40 years. He began his career in 1978 at the Quad Cities Open – now the John Deere Classic – at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois.

Currently on the bag for Nick Watney, Navarro has worked for players including Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Greg Norman, Jeff Sluman, Adam Scott and Gary Woodland. He has notched more than 50 tournament victories, including the 1993 Open Championship and 2006 TOUR Championship.

“We are honored to welcome Tony Navarro as the newest member of the Caddie Hall of Fame,” said Jeff Harrison, senior vice president of the Western Golf Association. “We’re excited for this opportunity to celebrate Tony’s achievements and his dedication to caddying at the event where it all began.”

Administered by the Western Golf Association since 2011, the Caddie Hall of Fame highlights the tradition and importance of caddying by celebrating individuals who have devoted their lives to the game of golf through caddying or by supporting the role of caddies, and those who have used their experience as a youth caddie for future professional success. The Caddie Hall of Fame was established in 1999 by the Professional Caddies Association and Dennis and Laura Cone.

“Everything that I have, I owe to caddying,” said Navarro. “When I found out about this award, I was excited and very humbled. There are many others who deserve it every bit as much. I’m accepting this on behalf of my family, the great pros I’ve caddied for and all the caddies I’ve worked with over the years – had it not been for them and others I met along the way, I wouldn’t have been able to do this job for as long as I have.”

Past inductees include Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Charles “Chick” Evans, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Steve Williams, Joe LaCava, Jimmy Johnson, Charles Schwab and Peter Ueberroth.