ORLANDO, Fla. – After receiving a six-figure payday, Pete Persolja sat in the parking lot of the Super 8, opened Google Maps and punched in “Bay Hill Club & Lodge” on his outdated iPhone. Only one problem: He was maxed out on data. Has been for two years. Unable to access the directions, he reached into the backseat and pulled out his 2007 edition Rand McNally atlas, then charted his route on paper and pointed his 2005 Jeep Liberty toward Arnie’s course here in Orlando.
“Nothing’s gonna change after Sunday,” he said. “Nothing at all.”
PGA Tour caddies have all types of backgrounds – failed tour pros, swing coaches, lifelong friends – but there’s no one quite like Persolja, 43, who has been looping for Honda Classic winner Keith Mitchell since 2016.