By: Paul Bartelt
International Press Association, Ca
Newport Beach, Ca. Debuting last Saturday evening at the Lido Theater, the 20th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival screened Loopers : The Caddies Long Walk, narrated by actor, comic and weekend golfer Bill Murray. This 80 minute feature film included stories from golf caddies, working for professional golfers, while sharing their stories and insightful perspectives about the game of golf.
This humerous, entertaining and historical documentry begins in Scotland and includes footage of infamous amateur golfer Bobby Jones competing in 1931, historical scenes from the British Open and then travels to Augusta National Golf Club, home of the PGA Tour Masters tournament, discussing how professional golfers were assigned local caddies until 1982.
Interviews with golf professionals like Ben Crenshaw, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Fuzzy Zoller add keen insight about caddies responsibilities that include being a players psychologist, parental figure, techical advisor and confidant the week of the tournament. The personal bond, respect and trust a caddie and player develops is truly unique to the sport of golf.
Director Jason Baffa and co-producer Jim Packer followed the screaning with an in-person question and answer session.
The week long 20th Anniversary Newport Beach Film Festival screaned over 350 films from 50 countries. It has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States.