Teen's First Tweet Lands Him Gig As PGA Tour Caddie

SILVIS, IL — Ahead of his 17th birthday earlier this this month, a Maine South senior found himself serenaded by strangers near the 18th hole of a PGA Tour event, according to the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate. The first-ever tweet from 17-year-old Park Ridge resident Elias Francque landed him a gig caddying for Australian professional golfer Steven Bowditch July 12 at the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

Bowditch, 35, won the AT&T Byron Nelson in 2015 but has missed the cut in all six events this season, according to the PGA Tour website, which noted he made the cut just twice in 27 events last season. He said he had the opportunity to caddie for a pro golfer as a teenager in Australia and hoped to provide a young local golfer the same experience.

“It was something I’ve always wanted to do and I had a late entry, I got called Monday afternoon," Bowditch said, according to the website. "I was struggling to find a caddie, and I thought about it, thought this was probably a good opportunity to make a kid smile for the week, and that’s all it was.”

So on July 9, two days ahead of the event, he make an open request on Twitter. Francque's reply was the first tweet on his account. His pitch included his family connections to the area, experience on the course, his upcoming 17th birthday and his love for Bowditch's home country:

I️ visit my grandparents farm nearby. I️ve played the course and loved it. Two of my uncles work for John Deere. I’m a caddy at my local country club and on the golf team. I️ turn 17 on Friday and helping you make the cut would be a great birthday present! I️ love Australia
— Elias Francque (@e_francque) July 10, 2018

Bowditch got dozens of offers in more than 200 replies to his tweet, but Francque got word the next morning that he had been picked. He headed out to the Quad Cities later that day, according to the Park Ridge Herald Advocate.

“One day, I had never even heard of him and two days later, I’m caddying for him in a pro tournament,” Francque told Pioneer Press. “It was a pretty crazy turn of events.”

Day one completed with @e_francque The kid is a stud!! #johndeereclassic pic.twitter.com/G0xKNYmueb
— bowdo (@bowdo83) July 11, 2018

Bowditch ended up missing out on the cut with rounds of 73 and 72. Francque, who started caddying this summer at Park Ridge Country Club, told Pioneer Press the Australian stayed classy even in defeat. Although there was no prize money involved, he wound up with some gloves, balls and a signed yardage book.

Read more from the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate »

A dream for this teen.

He spent his 17th birthday as a caddie for @Bowdo83.

Happy birthday, Elias! #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/E2hJdCu1ry
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 13, 2018