Working at Cog Hill in Lemont for half his life has given Woodridge resident Ray Juskus incredible exposure to high level golf.
The memories began early in his days as a caddie and a volunteer during the club’s era of hosting the Western Open. Juskus started off as a “sign boy” in his first year which meant he carried the sign indicating players’ scores.
“I had David Toms in my group for the Pro-Am,” said Juskus, who was then 12 years old. “I had told him I was a golfer, and they were teeing off on the (600-yard) ninth hole where nobody hits the green on the par-5. He said, ‘Why don’t you take a shot?’ I told him, ‘That’s a long way, I’ll need a glove.’
“I’m 11 or 12 years old but I hit the fairway at least, then he picks up the sign and is walking up the fairway with it giving me advice like, ‘Maybe you can do this with your swing.’ That was really neat, and he signed the glove. I still have it in my basement.”
Juskus began caddying two years later when he reached the age of eligibility a Cog Hill, where another Pro-Am produced another memorable experience.
“I had an opportunity to caddie for Morgan Freeman, and to see how much he loved the game ... that was really cool,” Juskus said. “That was probably my No. 1 experience.”
But whether it’s an Academy Award-nominated actor, a business executive who’s a regular or a relative golf novice, Juskus put consistent passion into his work as a caddie.
“One of the keys is to make sure all the clubs are organized and clean,” Juskus said of a good caddie’s rules of success. “The most important thing is lining up everything so everyone is nice and relaxed and in the right mindset when you get to the first tee.
“You try to be detail-oriented, try not to ask too many questions, and always remember you’re trying to build a reputation for yourself with every caddie job you do. The better that reputation is, the better opportunities you’re going to get out there.
“It’s very competitive,” Juskus added. “You can tell who’s doing a good job when a customer comes in after a round and says things and gives compliments, or calls and asks for a caddie again. It’s the same thing in life and business, anything you can do to get that little edge.”
That outlook has worked for Juskus. He once made a good enough impression on a group of New Yorkers in town to purchase a race horse that he received part of their $250 tip for one round and was asked to caddie for them again the next day.
And he has similarly impressed the higher-ups at Cog Hill, who have given him the added responsibility of assisting with the club’s Junior Golf program.
“I help with that and try to put my time in other places as well (at Cog Hill),” Juskus said. “I (caddie) when I’m asked to, usually in charity events or if I’m requested by a customer. I try to give most (caddying chances) to younger guys.”
Cog Hill operates on an on-call basis, so caddies are contacted usually 48 hours before a round instead of waiting on premises to be put to work.
An intern for the last two years under Cog Hill caddie superintendent Jeff Rimsnider, Juskus played high school golf at Montini and is now at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
The Flames don’t have a golf team but Juskus still plays regularly. And while his caddying days are all but over, Juskus wouldn’t mind a management career in golf.
“I’d definitely love to,” Juskus said. “I have one semester left (at UIC) and I love golf and love helping other people enjoy the game.”
That love of the game was passed on from his father and other family members, and was fueled by his caddie experiences.
“There are a lot of kids getting out there and caddying, and it’s a great way to learn the game,” Juskus said. “It comes full circle.”
