Ryan Bilkos has done what many sports fans wish they could do ? meet Tiger Woods.
Bilkos, 16, who will be a junior on Brandon High School’s varsity boys golf team next season, met the renowned golfer when he worked the Buick Open two years ago in 2004.
He was working as a standard-bearer, which means he was responsible for changing the individual golfer’s sign (in this case, Woods) that displayed his score, keeping the gallery updated on how that golfer is doing.
‘We walk inside the ropes just for our group for the gallery, so they know how the golfers are doing,? he said.
Bilkos, the Blackhawks? most valuable player and a first team All-League selection in 2005, said he did not have a chance to talk extensively with Woods or receive any golf tips from him. However, he did exchange pleasantries with the golfer.
‘I got to shake his hand, and I received an autographed golf ball,? Bilkos said. ‘He’s pretty serious when he goes out there. He’s a real nice guy.?
Bilkos and younger brother Branden, 13, both work as caddies at the Buick Open site, Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, G-9057 S Saginaw Road, Grand Blanc. Both have also worked as standard-bearers at the Buick Open, Ryan for the past two years and Branden last year, and both intend to work that role again for this year’s Buick Open, scheduled to take place Aug. 3-6.
Ryan said in addition to Woods, he has worked as a standard-bearer for Professional Golfers Association golfers Aaron Baddeley, Scott Hend, Mark O’Meara and Steve Flesch, while Branden has walked with O’Meara, Scott McCarron, and a couple amateurs.
As far as requirements for being a standard-bearer are concerned, Ryan said there are no specific guidelines. ‘They usually just have all the caddies do it,? he said.
Branden said the best parts of being a standard-bearer are ‘being able to see the shots and walk with the players inside the ropes? and ‘being able to avoid the gallery and walk freely.?
He also said the standard-bearers work all four days at the tournament, and has a collection of autographed golf balls from PGA golfers as a sign of their appreciation.
Ryan said a typical day as a standard bearer begins when he arrives at the course, along with the rest of the caddies, around 7 a.m. on a tournament day.
‘Then we wait around in the caddyshack until our group is assigned,? he said. ‘We then go off, and it takes about 4-1/2 hours for 18 holes, and after that, we’re free to go.?