Meet the caddie: Eric Meller

Players I’ve caddied for…
Corey Pavin, Richard S. Johnson, Cameron Beckman, Andrew Magee, Jerry Kelly, Ben Crane, and Stephen Ames

Childhood hometown…
Military…birthplace: Fayetteville, NC

High school attended…
ST John Neumann/Barron Collier, class of 1989

Did you play college golf?
No

College attended…
Edison College (1989-1994…on and off)

What is your greatest memory as a caddie?
Winning 2009 Zurich classic in New Orleans and all that surrounded it; 1997 Open Championship as it was my first major and we made cut; T5 at 2007 Masters since we had a small chance of winning after eagling 13; 2006 Open championship at Royal Liverpool (it was like a Hollywood script kind of week for me). Oh the question was greatest memory, too many for only one!

What is the best part about being a caddie?
Thrill of being in the hunt even though you aren’t the actual competitor. In no other sport is someone so much a part of the game that isn’t actually competing. Travel, time off, and camaraderie.

Favorite Professional Golfer growing up?
I didn’t start watching or playing regularly until I was 21 and when I did it was probably Greg Norman

Favorite Course to caddie? 
Augusta, TPC Sawgrass

Favorite Course to play?
Old Memorial

Professional interests outside of golf?
Caddying is what pays the bills

Favorite food? 
I’m a foodie! no favorite, but I never turn down great Indian food

Favorite beverage?
Good wine, good craft beer, good Scotch, good craft cocktails…Pedialyte if too much of any of the previously mentioned

Favorite restaurant?
French Laundry, Rooster and the Till, Doris Metropolitan New Orleans, Josephine Estelle New Orleans are some of my faves

Favorite bar?
The Pourhouse

Favorite sports team?
Tampa Bay Lightning,Liverpool FC, Tampa Bay Rays, TB Bucs, KC Chiefs, KC Royals, FSU football

Favorite movie?
CRASH but seriously so many and so many categories

Who would be in your dream golf foursome, as a player?
Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, Bobby Jones from the past, Eric Blofsky, Aaron Rodgers, Jerry Kelly oh wait…

Hobbies outside of Golf?
Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey !!! Movies, cooking with my wife, exploring restaurants and bars of all types in my travels, St Pete Beach with a football and friends, and photography

What is your golf handicap? 
5

Who is your inspirational role model? 
Marilyn Soffer, she’s my mother and she’s amazing

What has been the biggest highlight of your caddying career? 
Winning the 2009 Zurich classic with Jerry Kelly. The whole week was one great thing after another. Amazing meals all weak around, and a private concert with Collective Soul (a fave of mine)

What is your favorite stop on Tour and why? 
The Open Championship, you can’t beat the creativity, feel and overall experience that an open provides. The Masters has stepped up its caddie treatment over the past 10-15 years to an amazing level. The Player championship is pretty cool too! Zurich for the food and music.

What is your favorite restaurant on Tour and why? 
No chance at naming just one! Pascal’s Manale and Drago’s in New Orleans. French Laundry in Napa, Calcutta Cricket Club (Calgary on Champions tour) Rudy’s ribs (Texas) to name a few…

Where do you reside during off season? 
Tampa, Florida

What is one thing about you that most people would be surprised to know? 
I’ve been to midnight mass in Bethlehem, Israel and touched the Star of Jesus where he is said to have been born

Greatest golf shot you have personally witnessed on Tour? 
I was caddying for Andrew Magee when he aced the par 4 17th at the Phoenix Open, still the only 1 on a par 4 in PGA Tour history that I know of.