Documentary Coming on Life of Bruce Edwards


"Caddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story" is a tale of life, love and loss. The Golf Channel documentary, based on the book by John Feinstein, premieres June 14 at 9 p.m. ET. It recounts the extraordinary relationship between one of history's greatest golfers, Tom Watson, and his longtime friend and caddy, Bruce Edwards.

In addition to revealing how Watson and Edwards' 30-year professional and personal partnership changed the perception of player and looper, the 90-minute documentary also tells the story of Edwards' life - how he found true love until his untimely and tragic death in 2004 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Bruce Edwards, whose story may be unknown to many sports fans, was well-loved and respected in the world of golf," said Keith Allo, Golf Channel vice president of programming and original productions. "But even for those who've read the book, seeing this extraordinary story come to life on the screen is truly inspirational."

Those interviewed for the documentary include Watson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Jim "Bones" Mackay (Phil Mickelson's caddy), Edwards' wife Marsha, family members, fellow caddies, friends and medical professionals. Each share fond memories of Bruce Edwards, his valor, kindness, and the vast legacy he has left to caddies, golfers and others beyond the world of golf.

"It's going to be clear what a wonderful, passionate person Bruce was, and still is in my mind," said Watson, when referring to what viewers will discover by watching the documentary. "What he gave to life is more than he ever got."

Edwards had the foresight to pursue caddying as a career when it had yet to be established as a viable profession. It took all the courage he could muster to approach Watson on a hot summer day in St. Louis in 1973, but his sheer love of the game gave him no other option. "First and foremost, Bruce Edwards was a caddy," said Watson. "He loved to be inside the ropes caddying for the pros."

Edwards would draw on that same courage, as well as his decades-long friendship with Watson as he faced the end of his first marriage, the challenges of the PGA Tour, and a disease that would not only take his life.

"I learned a lot of lessons from Bruce and Tom about friendship and loyalty," said Feinstein, who conducted the interviews for the documentary and helps introduce segments of the show. "A lot of people use those words, but those guys lived them."