A Star is Born: Caddie Pete ‘Crunchy Pete’ Persolja becomes internet sensation
By T.J. Auclair · March 4, 2019
It was a unique double victory for PGA Tour player Keith Mitchell and caddie Pete Persolja on Sunday.
First, Mitchell won his first tour event – the Honda Classic – in exhilarating fashion with four birdies over his final seven holes, including a 15-footer at the last, to hold off Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler.
Then, Persolja – who goes by “Crunchy Pete” – won Twitter.
Crunchy Pete’s Twitter bio reads: “Caddy version of Bear Grylls. Organic everything. Bought my car/house for $100. I only shower under waterfalls.”
FOLLOW: Here’s a look at Crunchy Pete’s Twitter page
Legend.
Just a couple hours after the win, Crunchy Pete tweeted about how he was closing in on 1,000 followers:
We are climbing to 1,000 followers LETS GO!!! The mountains I climb are tough to climb and the rivers I raft are tough to raft but you can follow me. It’s safe here with the crunchman.
— Crunchy Pete (@CrunchManPete) March 4, 2019
At the time of this post, he was over 7,000:
And here was the tweet in the immediate aftermath, sporting that 18th hole pin-flag every caddie wants:
It’s not gonna change me. I’m still gonna kayak and sleep under the stars but this flag sure is pretty! Thanks for all the messages! pic.twitter.com/ILCxftEoRZ
— Crunchy Pete (@CrunchManPete) March 3, 2019
You could tell just by browsing golf Twitter that plenty of people were over the moon for Mitchell and Persolja:
Pete snagging that flag on 18 after @K_m_Mitchell buries a 15 footer to win!! pic.twitter.com/M37QlUu5Df
— J.T. Poston (@JT_ThePostman) March 4, 2019
Selfie Sunday 🤳 @drlopez73 pic.twitter.com/8mVVXC5q5O
— The Caddie Network (@CaddieNetwork) March 3, 2019
Congrats to my boy @CrunchManPete and @K_m_Mitchell on their first win today!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/EzpwJUHoli
— Derek Smith (@DerekSmithGolf) March 4, 2019
So jacked for @K_m_Mitchell and @CrunchManPete! Really cool to see my friends win. https://t.co/NDUj5ZSzDc
— Joel Dahmen (@Joel_Dahmen) March 4, 2019
Best part about @K_m_Mitchell winning is his caddie @CrunchManPete will still be sleeping in his car & showering under waterfalls! #legend
— Tim Kay (@tkcaddie) March 3, 2019
You deserve it buddy, congrats.
— Don Donatello (@D2_59) March 4, 2019
@CrunchManPete Huge congrats on the win Pete! Great job out there today. Perhaps there’s a new tent in your future!
— John wood (@Johnwould) March 4, 2019
So pumped for @K_m_Mitchell and @CrunchManPete! 🏆 https://t.co/i6G8ngBaDv
— Ben Kohles (@ben_kohles) March 4, 2019
The excitement didn’t end, as Pete was on Twitter looking for accountants:
I’m not good at math what is 10% of this? pic.twitter.com/BvbzAQEHc3
— Crunchy Pete (@CrunchManPete) March 4, 2019
People had jokes, too:
Dude I told you, Pete is the real version of Happy Gilmore’s caddie and it’s GLORIOUS!! @CrunchManPete is the #MostInterestingCaddieInTheWorld!!
Now if we could only get Keith Mitchell to ride the pony… pic.twitter.com/4ENM7pKZuy
— Aaron Nolan (@AaronNolanNews) March 4, 2019
@CrunchManPete is this you? pic.twitter.com/62t0iHix6t
— Erik Craig Weiss (@ErikCraigWeiss) March 4, 2019
If there is one good thing I take away from the sports world this weekend, it’s that I was blessed with exposure to the genius hilarity that is @CrunchManPete. I’m officially a #BigCaddyGuy now
— SwiftyyMcDougaL (@wizahhd1) March 4, 2019
Hey @TommyFleetwood1 it’s ok to take a week off mate. But congrats on the 10% @PGATOUR @EuropeanTour @JustinThomas34 @RickieFowler pic.twitter.com/VhdeMbyXH2
— Ben Hague (@BenHagueComedy) March 4, 2019
We can’t wait to see Mitchell – but especially Pete – at the Masters. Well done, boys.
