About The Sankaty Head Caddie Program

our mission

Teeing Up a Brighter Future

The Sankaty Head Caddie Program provides a world-class caddie experience grounded in respect, integrity, and service. Our program is dedicated to teaching the skills, discipline, and values that embody the tradition of caddying and golf. We are committed to fostering personal growth, responsibility, and a strong work ethic in each participant while building a supportive community that celebrates teamwork, leadership, and dedication to excellence. Through our program, we strive to help caddies become well-rounded and responsible citizens, capable of being productive in the complex personal and professional world.

The Sankaty Head Caddie Program is much more than a job—it’s a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships and a strong network of connections. Caddies form deep bonds with each other, sharing long days on the course, tackling challenges as a team, and celebrating each other’s achievements. These friendships often become lifelong, creating a tight-knit community that extends beyond the golf course and well into the future. Caddies also develop meaningful relationships with members. Working closely with a diverse group of successful professionals, they gain invaluable insights, mentorship, and advice that help shape their own personal and professional growth. Caddies join an enduring circle of friends and mentors and remain connected to this vibrant community for life, sustaining friendships, professional networks, and the cherished memories of their time at Sankaty.

Longtime Program Director Norman Claxton wrote in 1996, “The Sankaty Caddie Program is not the buildings or the place. It is the concepts and philosophy reflected in friendships among the caddies and staff.”

FOUNDED IN 1930

History of the Sankaty Head Caddie Program

The Sankaty Head Caddie Program was organized in July 1930. Its rustic and somewhat primitive facilities were located between the 11th and 13th fairways of Sankaty Head Golf Course where the facility is still located. Donald M. Smith, physical director at the Worcester (Mass.) YMCA, was the first Program Director, a position he held until 1960. During Smith’s tenure, the contributions of a few club members provided basic necessities for the program facility.

In 1961, Charles M. Goetz led the establishment of the Sankaty Head Foundation to support and develop policies for the operation of the Sankaty Head Caddie Program. That year, the Foundation raised five thousand dollars to keep the facility operating. Also that year, a certificate of incorporation was issued; and in 1964, the foundation received tax-exempt status as an organization operated for charitable and educational purposes.

Program Overview

The Sankaty Head Caddie Program is a 10-week residential program that serves boys aged 14-18 with a small group of college students returning as junior staff. Caddies come from all over the United States. Each caddie pays $5 per day for room and board; the Sankaty Head Foundation, a private foundation set up to support and establish policy for the facility, subsidizes further operational costs. In turn, caddies earn money by caddying on the golf course. Caddying gives each caddie the opportunity to return to his family with earned and saved income. Caddies may also be considered for awards, including scholarships awarded by the Foundation.

Sankaty Head Caddie Program Education and Character-Building Programming

At the core of the SHCP is our education and character-building programs. Throughout the summer, caddies learn lessons on the course about hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and communication. Off the course, caddies participate in educational programming to meet the program’s mission to develop young men who are successful in college and beyond.

Summer Read

Each summer, caddies complete a camp read and discuss the book at weekly camp meetings. Themes from the book become themes for our summer experience. Recent summer reads have included: Chop Wood Carry Water, Boys in the Boat, Red Bandana, and In the Heart of the Sea.

Speech Writing & Public Speaking

Our most senior caddies participate in a summer-long speech writing program. Instructed by board members and the Camp Director, caddies gather weekly to work on presenting and editing their speech. Once they have “graduated”, caddies give their speech in front of the entire camp, and some are selected to speak in front of the members. Each summer the Lawrence Arthur Bossidy Speaking Award is given to the caddie who delivers the most compelling speech of the summer.

College Counseling

Juniors and seniors participate in college advising. With the guidance of a professional counselor, caddies learn to navigate the college application process, assisting with everything from researching schools and building a college list to application submission, essays writing, and scholarship opportunities.

Sexton Test Prep Tutoring

Sexton Test Prep & Tutoring partners with the Sankaty Head Caddie Program to offer test preparation and enrichment support. The curriculum includes:

Digital SAT/ACT Test Preparation
Digital PSAT Test Preparation
Enrichment Study Skills Program

Writing Program

Guest Speaker Series

Each summer, guest speakers present to the camp about various topics. Professional advice, character-building, and educational experience often are themes for these speaking events.

Swim Lessons

All caddies complete a swim test upon arrival on Nantucket. Caddies who need further assistance participate in swim lessons at the Sankaty Head Beach Club pool. The Beach Club lifeguards run the summer-long program.

Team Sports

Caddies are drafted to a team and spend the summer competing in a variety of sports, culminating in the team sports championship. Sports include basketball, beach volleyball, touch football, soccer, ultimate frisbee, golf, track and field, and our annual early morning “Marathon.” Sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and fun lie at the heart of the most anticipated program of the summer.

Six Major Elements Comprise the Program:

For remuneration, boys serve as caddies for Sankaty Head Golf Club members. Caddies report to the club on a rotating basis, leaving ample unassigned time for recreation. Fees that caddies earn are credited to their individual accounts.
The program offers a variety of competitive physical activities, including:

Team sports: touch football, volleyball, softball, track and field, soccer, golf, and basketball

Individual sports: senior and junior golf, caddie-caddie tournament, golf contests (driving, hole-in-one, putting), swimming contests (individual medley, freestyle, diving), table tennis, chess, checkers, modified senior and junior marathon, two-on-two basketball, and horseshoes
Caddies have access to:

College counseling

Study skills/standardized test prep

Public speaking

Camp read

Guest speakers

Pool and beach swimming

Use of golf course at designated hours

Weightlifting
Caddies have the option to attend church services if desired.
Cookouts

Daily meals with caddies and staff

Annual caddie banquet

Other special events

The Six Pillars of the Caddie Program

Educational Activities

The Sankaty Head Caddie Program offers attendees the opportunity to earn money and gain work experience. They have access to college counseling, study skills/standardized test prep, public speaking practice, reading activities, and guest speaking engagements (ranging from professional advice, character-building, and educational experience).

Sports Activities

Sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and fun lie at the heart of our caddie program. We offer a variety of physical activities ranging from individual sports like golf, swimming, chess, checkers, and table tennis to team sports such as touch football, volleyball, soccer, softball, and basketball. Caddies are drafted to a team and spend the summer competing in a variety of sports culminating in the team sports championship. Caddies can also participate in events like our caddie-caddie tournament, hole-in-one/putting/driving contests, swimming contests, and our annual early morning “Marathon.”

Cultural Activities

Caddies will have the opportunity to unwind and relax from physical activities in our Bolling Library or on planned tours to other parts of the island.

Spiritual/Moral Activities

Our program makes time for those who prioritize spiritual and moral activities such as church attendance, counseling, college and career planning, and personal health support.

Social Activities

Our main goal is for our caddies to have fun during their summers with us. Throughout the summer, we host barbecues, group activities, banquets, and other special events.

Watch Our Video About the Caddie Program to Learn More

Experiential Outcomes

Sankaty Head Caddie Program contributes to the following outcomes in caddies:

Transition from parental dependence to self-reliance and self-sufficiency