Nick Ritchie took his first professional swing at Mactaquac Golf Course on Thursday, with a Canadian golfing legend — his dad, Darren Ritchie — carrying his clubs behind him.
23-year-old Nick of Quispamsis earned his way into the PGA Tour Americas Explore N.B. Open happening this weekend in Mactaquac by winning a four-man playoff at the New Brunswick Men’s Amateur tournament last summer.
The win came with a sponsor’s exemption into the tournament, where he is the only amateur, and New Brunswick player, out of over 150 golfers.
Amateur N.B. golfer takes on the pros
“This is kind of like a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Nick said. “It feels awesome — nerve wracking.
“I feel a little out of my element, but that’s not a bad thing.”
What may be out of Nick’s element for now, is right in his dad’s wheelhouse — or maybe clubhouse.
Darren Ritchie is a two-time winner of the same amateur tournament that got Nick into the Explore N.B. Open. Against all odds and expectations he also won the 1992 Canadian Amateur Championship, beating Mike Weir.
So choosing his dad to caddie for him “was a no-brainer,” he said.
“He’s the one that kind of brought me into golf. He’s really been my only coach ever since I was a little kid, so we always play this game together,” Nick said.
“Nick’s at another level at 23 than what I was, so his skill is there,” Darren said. “I’m a very proud father… and I’m very proud to be caddying for him this weekend.”
Darren is well-known in the golfing community, but he said he doesn’t want to draw attention away from his son’s achievements.
“It’s funny, that was always something I said, I would pass the torch to him… but I would never light it,” Darren said.
“He hates the saying ‘following in his footsteps,’” Nick said. “He wants me to create my own.
“With the accomplishments that he’s had, it’s hard to create my own, but he says I’ve done a good job.”
Darren said he is “just so pleased” to be alongside Nick, “watching him excel and maybe I can give him a little bit of advice along the way.”
Nick finished day one of the tournament with 74 total shots, 3-above par, and he ended the second day with 73 total shots, 2-above par. Totalling a score of 5-above par come time for the tournament cut on Friday.
The cut line was 6-below, meaning he will not play in the Saturday and Sunday rounds.
Golfing runs in the Ritchie family. Nick’s sister, Courtney Ritchie, took up the sport a few years ago, and played in the women’s provincial championship this year. She was Nick’s caddie when he won the men’s provincial championship that got him to the PGATA.
The PGATA is an international developmental tour that helps players improve toward the PGA Tour.
She said watching him play in his first pro tournament “feels unreal, and I can imagine it feels pretty surreal for him.
“Golfing against people who do this for a living is quite a big deal, and I mean, he’s just an amateur from little New Brunswick, so it’s huge. We’re all so proud of him.”
Being an amateur means that Nick is not a full-time player, and he’s balancing his game with two jobs. He is a custom club fitter for Callaway and also works at the Hampton Golf Club.
Nick drew a large crowd of support, including family and friends and people from his club.
“It’s almost like a once in a lifetime opportunity for my first event to be in my hometown,” Nick said.
He said he’s received a lot of support from people across the province, and it feels “super special.”
“We’re one big family, and everybody’s treating it that way,” Darren said.
Nick said his dream is to eventually make it to the PGA Tour, but for now, he’s taking it “one step at a time.”
