When Blaine Hancock heard that Ballyhack, a Dormie Network-owned golf club in Roanoke, Virginia, was advertising for caddies to launch a caddie program, he jumped at the opportunity. Set amid the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Ballyhack’s stunning location and proximity to his home in Salem, Virginia made it the perfect setting for his caddying side gig.

Ballyhack partners with CaddieNow to manage the club’s caddie program, employing CaddieNow’s software platform and accompanying mobile app to facilitate caddie scheduling and communication. Caddies can accept loops right in the app, make notes about the golfers they’ve worked with, and even accept payments.

Blaine is a busy teacher and golf coach at Salem High School in Roanoke, so his schedule limits him to just a few weekends during the school year but opens up in the summer so he can work five to 10 loops per week. He loves that he has the freedom to take loops that fit his lifestyle. “Because it’s so flexible, caddying fits into my schedule perfectly,” Blaine says. “I also get to work each loop in a beautiful setting!”

The part of caddying that’s most attractive to Blaine is getting out on the course and connecting with different golfers and groups. “Being a caddie is somewhat similar to my career as a teacher and coach in that I’m constantly trying to help those around me achieve the best possible outcome,” Blaine says. He’s caddied for groups he’s really connected with, so it felt like he’s known them for years. “I caddied for a group from Ohio that came to play Ballyhack in a Ryder Cup-style match, so I was able to be with the same golfers for a few days in a row. We shared a lot of laughs that week and I was glad to be able to help them play some great golf!”

As a caddie at Ballyhack, Blaine gets to interact with a wide range of golfers—corporate members, new and experienced golfers, even a former Miss America. But what tops his list? "Having PGA Touring Professional Lanto Griffin play a hole with our group at his invitational tournament,” Blaine says. “I’ve made a ton of memories on the golf course, but getting to see and work with a professional like Lanto was special.”

CaddieNow helps golf facility staff by streamlining caddie management, assisting with caddie recruitment and training, and providing options for risk mitigation, but it’s also been a boon for caddies looking to take a loop.

Blaine says CaddieNow has made his loops at Ballyhack an even better experience, fitting into his schedule and allowing him to connect with more golfers in authentic ways. “The best times on the course are when you seamlessly become part of the group and help them have the best round of their lives.”