Steve Carroll
PERSONAL – Steve lives in Marina, California and is single with no kids. He may have one of the better jobs in the world. He has been golfing since he was a kid, playing through high school, taking college off, then really getting into it once he started working in the industry.
TIE TO THE MONTEMAR – Steve comes to us as an invite from Clancy Ryan, whom he met in high school, and has been great friends with ever since. I remember when I told Clancy about this event he immediately told me he’s got a guy who he’s pretty certain will come- that guy was Mr. Carroll and Clancy was right… Steve was in this from the second he heard the words golf trip.
Steve seems to love golf and the idea of a golf trip. Although if I worked where he does I don’t think I’d ever want to leave. After college Steve started working at bayonet in the cart barn and eventually started caddying part-time at Pebble Beach. Somebody let him know that Cypress was going to need caddies soon and he got on part-time. He’s now a full time caddy at Cypress and has been for a year and a half.
For those of you newer to the game or just not in the know, Cypress Point, where Steve is a caddy, is constantly ranked as one of the top 5 golf courses on this planet, sometimes even number 1….
https://www.top100golfcourses.com/top-100-golf-courses-of-the-world
Like I said, not a bad way to spend your days. He says he doesn’t want to caddy forever though and is almost finished getting his real estate license. I let him know there are a number of people in this event who would probably be happy to throw him some advice about real estate.
Steve seems all on board with this golf tournament. A great guy who loves golf and who is young enough to take this thing over once I’m underground. A perfect addition to the Montemar.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MONTEMAR – In addition to all the swag he’s bringing from Cyrpress, I’m hoping Steve is going to donate a lifetime Cypress membership to the heaviest guy at the Montemar.
WHAT NEEDEDED TO HAPPEN IN 2024 – Our scoring system is built to add some random variance from year to year, otherwise the same guys would always be at the top. Steve needs to catch a little more luck this year and make a little of his own. Aligning himself on a decent scramble team would be a huge first step. The draft will play a major factor as well. Steve gets the benefit this year of being a returning player and having a juicier handicap than he entered last year with. There’s a reason we do that – to keep the rookies from winning. Steve’s got the iron game to earn some major par 3 points and if he can keep the ball in the fairway he should be one to look out for.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN 2024 – Steve came out hot and everything was clicking on opening day. His 80 at Circling Raven against his 14 handicap put him right at the top of his division. His random pairings worked out great, he even hit 2 of the four KP greens. The one place he whiffed big? His group didn’t turn in a completed score card on time. 20 points that dropped him from what would have been 5th place after opening day all the way to 12th. The scorecard thing became an issue. Three rounds. Three scorecards that were either incorrect or turned in late. A mistake that cost Steve 39 places on the final leaderboard.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2025 – Steve and Clancy Ryan is a dream start to a lose your club scramble team. Steve’s ability on the course and Clancy’s lack of it are a perfect combo. Steve makes the shots but Clancy is worth more points as his handicap will really help on that side of the competition. Who they choose to pair up with for that will be critical. Hopefully the scorecard blunders of 2024 don’t repeat and Steve is able to get his first top 10 finish of his Montemar career.
ODDS TO WIN- 38-1
FUN FACT – Two years ago he was going to caddy at the ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am but his guy, Fin Ewing III, had to back out. He’s hoping to be back there next year and also at the Walker Cup, which is coming back to California for the first time since Cypress hosted it in 1981. I’m sure he’s got some other fun stories about who he’s caddied for at Cypress. The 250 member ultra private club’s most recent inductees were Jim Nance and Chris O’Donnell.
MONTEMARS PLAYED – 2 (Scottsdale 2023, Coeur D’Alene 2024)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 6 (TPC Scottsdale, TS-Piipaash, TS-O’odhaam – 2023/Circling Raven x 2, Coeur D’Alene Resort Course - 2024)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL – 502 (24th)
JACKETS WON – 0
TOP 3 FINISHES – 0
TOP 5 FINISHES – 0
TOP 10 FINISHES – 0
RECORDS – 0
TOURNAMENT HANDICAP – 8
INVITED BY – Clancy Ryan
PLAYERS INVITED - 0
PRIZES DONATED – Hoping Steve can come through with some more goodies from Cypress. Always a favorite at the Montemar!
