Steve Duplantis
Encyclopedia
Steve Duplantis was a pro golf caddy
. He worked with several golfers until his death.
in Canada
. He began caddying for Clarence Rose
in 1993, after his own golf career failed.
He worked with Jim Furyk
early in his career from 1994 until 1999, but is best known for his time with Rich Beem
which was chronicled by the writer Alan Shipnuck in the best-selling book Bud, Sweat and Tees, during which Beem won the Kemper Open. Duplantis also caddied for Tommy Armour III
when he set the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record at the Texas Open in 2003 and had also caddied for other golfers on both the PGA Tour
and European Tour, including Daniel Chopra
, Garrett Willis
, Gabriel Hjertstedt
and David Branshaw
. At the time of his death Duplantis was working with Eric Axley
.
Beem's victory at the Kemper Open in 1999 was only his 12th start on tour, and Duplantis was hailed for playing a big part in the victory, which Jim Nantz hailed as "of the greatest caddying performances you will ever see.". However Beem and Duplantis would stop working together soon afterwards; Shipnuck attributes this to their similarities.
Duplantis featured prominently in Shipnuck's book Bud, Sweat and Tees. The book, which followed Beem and Duplantis as they played various events during Beem's rookie season on the PGA Tour, spoke about Duplantis relationship with his ex-wife and his young daughter Sierra. After Beem won the PGA Championship
in 2002 the book became a best-seller.
Duplantis was referred to as "Asbestos," because he was thought to be fireproof. He had a well-earned reputation for tardiness, and this led several golfers to fire him. Despite this, he maintained a reputation as one of the best caddies working the circuit. John Maginnes
wrote in his column on pgatour.com that "Even on those mornings when the night's activities lingered in the air, Steve was still an exceptional caddy".. After his death caddy Patrick Smith said that "He raised the level of every player he worked for. He could take guys who were marginal and they would play well".
, and was hit by a taxi
. Sgt. Randy Webb of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department
reported that he died at the scene. Duplantis was to caddy for Eric Axley at the Buick Invitational
later that week. On the opening day of play many caddies wore ribbons to commemorate Duplantis.
Caddy
In golf, a caddy is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice and moral support. A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the golf course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it. This includes knowing overall yardage, pin...
. He worked with several golfers until his death.
Career and personal life
Duplantis was born in BramptonBrampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He began caddying for Clarence Rose
Clarence Rose
Clarence Rose is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Rose was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he makes his home today. He attended Clemson University and was a member of the golf team, an All-American in 1980...
in 1993, after his own golf career failed.
He worked with Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk
James Michael Furyk is an American professional golfer, 2010 FedEx Cup champion, and 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year. He has won one major championship, the 2003 U.S. Open. Furyk is known for consistently playing at the top level and for a visibly unconventional, looping golf swing...
early in his career from 1994 until 1999, but is best known for his time with Rich Beem
Rich Beem
Richard Michael Beem is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Beem was born in Phoenix, Arizona, grew up in El Paso, Texas, and played golf at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico....
which was chronicled by the writer Alan Shipnuck in the best-selling book Bud, Sweat and Tees, during which Beem won the Kemper Open. Duplantis also caddied for Tommy Armour III
Tommy Armour III
Thomas Dickson "Tommy" Armour III is an American professional golfer.Armour first joined the PGA Tour in 1981 at the age of 21. He has two career PGA Tour victories, winning the 1990 Phoenix Open and the 2003 Valero Texas Open...
when he set the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record at the Texas Open in 2003 and had also caddied for other golfers on both the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and European Tour, including Daniel Chopra
Daniel Chopra
Daniel Samir Chopra is a Swedish professional golfer.Chopra was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He represents Sweden and his mother was Swedish, but his father was Indian and Daniel moved to India at age seven where he was raised by his grandparents. He won the All-India Junior Golf Championship at age...
, Garrett Willis
Garrett Willis
Garrett Michael Willis is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Willis was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended East Tennessee State University where he was member of the golf team, a first-team All-American his senior year. He won the Canadian...
, Gabriel Hjertstedt
Gabriel Hjertstedt
Gabriel Hjertstedt is a Swedish professional golfer.Hjertstedt was born in Umeå, Sweden. His family relocated to Australia when he was eleven and he learned to play golf there. He turned professional in 1990 and spent time on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Japan Golf Tour...
and David Branshaw
David Branshaw
David Sean Branshaw is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Branshaw was born in Oswego, New York. He turned professional in 1991, and competed on the Nationwide Tour in 1997, 2002, 2003, and 2005. In 2003, he earned his PGA Tour card by finishing...
. At the time of his death Duplantis was working with Eric Axley
Eric Axley
Eric Allen Axley is an American professional golfer.Axley was born in Athens, Tennessee. He turned professional in 1997.In 2006, Axley won the Valero Texas Open, claiming his first PGA Tour win...
.
Beem's victory at the Kemper Open in 1999 was only his 12th start on tour, and Duplantis was hailed for playing a big part in the victory, which Jim Nantz hailed as "of the greatest caddying performances you will ever see.". However Beem and Duplantis would stop working together soon afterwards; Shipnuck attributes this to their similarities.
Duplantis featured prominently in Shipnuck's book Bud, Sweat and Tees. The book, which followed Beem and Duplantis as they played various events during Beem's rookie season on the PGA Tour, spoke about Duplantis relationship with his ex-wife and his young daughter Sierra. After Beem won the PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
in 2002 the book became a best-seller.
Duplantis was referred to as "Asbestos," because he was thought to be fireproof. He had a well-earned reputation for tardiness, and this led several golfers to fire him. Despite this, he maintained a reputation as one of the best caddies working the circuit. John Maginnes
John Maginnes
John Maginnes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour and is currently a golf analyst with his own show on XM Radio.-Playing career:...
wrote in his column on pgatour.com that "Even on those mornings when the night's activities lingered in the air, Steve was still an exceptional caddy".. After his death caddy Patrick Smith said that "He raised the level of every player he worked for. He could take guys who were marginal and they would play well".
Death
In the morning of January 23, 2008 shortly after midnight, Duplantis stepped off a curb in Del Mar, CaliforniaDel Mar, California
Del Mar is an upscale beach town in San Diego County, California. The population was 4,161 at the 2010 census, down from 4,389 at the 2000 census. The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located...
, and was hit by a taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
. Sgt. Randy Webb of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department, commonly known as the SDSO, is the primary and largest law enforcement agency in San Diego County, California. It is composed of approximately 4,000 sworn deputies and civilian support personnel...
reported that he died at the scene. Duplantis was to caddy for Eric Axley at the Buick Invitational
Buick Invitational
The Farmers Insurance Open is a PGA Tour professional golf tournament played in the San Diego, California area in the early part of the Tour season, known as the "West Coast Swing." The tournament was noted for having singer-actor Andy Williams as a celebrity host from 1968 to 1988. The tournament...
later that week. On the opening day of play many caddies wore ribbons to commemorate Duplantis.