In the NFL, Black Monday comes the day after the final regular-season games and typically involves the firing of numerous head coaches. Apparently, golfers are a bit more patient when it comes to breaking up with their caddies.
Three days after the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship, the final event before the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, Kip Henley got the dreaded dismissal call from his boss, Austin Cook. But the veteran caddie who has looped for Brian Gay and Vijay Singh in the past handled this Black Wednesday really, really well with a series of tweets.
Welp the call came this afternoon that most caddies get from time to time. Cookie and I had a rough year and he’s going with a new guy this fall. No hard feelings on my end. It’s part of the biz. I only wish I could have done more to help. ✌️
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) August 7, 2019
It’s a shame because the two seemed like a great pair. They combined for Cook’s breakthrough PGA Tour win at the 2017 RSM Classic and shared some fun moments, like when Kip pestered Austin this January about returning to the course while his wife was pregnant. But Cook, 28, finished only 130th on the FedEx Cup regular-season points list this season, just his second full season on tour, after finishing 38th last year while advancing to three postseason events.
Still, Kip seemed cool with what others might describe as a quick hook:
It’s ok ! The caddie racket can be a tough one. Cookie didn’t lose his card. This was his 2nd season and he won in his first year. He’s fully exempt this coming season. I will always wish him and his next looper good stuff. It won’t hurt me if they do well. https://t.co/GPikYAqdDq
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) August 7, 2019
An accomplished player himself, he even went as far as to say he would have done the same thing:
Some of you guys slow with the throwing rocks at Cookie. He’s a solid human with a great family and an awesome Tour player that will be around for a long long time. I promise if I were playing and I hit a long slump I would rinse my guy just the same. Stings but I get it.
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) August 8, 2019
So what’s next for Kip?
Sit back and chill for a bit. Catch up on family time. Great times has luckily always followed me around. I don’t see any reason that it should be changing. https://t.co/x5LBHSi3PR
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) August 8, 2019
Again, great attitude! This guy should be a life coach. Or maybe … crazy thought here … a PGA Tour caddie. Hang in there, Kip. You won’t be unemployed for long.
