Author to speak Monday
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 2, 2014 1:50 AM
While he was learning the game of golf, Tripp Bowden was absorbing something bigger and much more important. The author will share the insights he gained in a talk Monday evening at Wayne Community College.
Bowden will discuss his book, "Freddie and Me: Life Lessons from Freddie Bennett, Augusta National's Legendary Caddy Master" in a presentation sponsored by the Foundation of Wayne Community College. It will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 101 of the Walnut Building. It is free and open to the public.
Bowden was born and raised in Augusta, Ga., but was not impressed with golf until his father, a doctor, introduced him to one of his patients, Bennett, the legendary Augusta National caddie master.
It was Bennett who taught Bowden the game of golf, a sport that would one day earn him a golf scholarship to Augusta State University and lead him to the final stage of a British Open qualifier.
After college, Bowden returned to Augusta National Golf Club where he worked as a caddy for four seasons and earned the distinction of having been Augusta's first full-time white caddy.
But Bowden says it was the lessons Bennett taught him off the course that had the most profound impact on his life. Through Freddie and his particular brand of homespun wisdom, Bowden learned about personal responsibility, hard work, and respect for others regardless of age, race or religion. He also learned that there's much more to life than just playing golf.
Bowden, who still lives in Augusta, is the brother of Wayne Community College Early Childhood Education Instructor Jodi Baker.
For details on these events and other Foundation activities, go to www.waynecc.edu/foundation/arts-and-humanities/.