Johnny Bart and Arnam Newton picked up valuable pointers from some of the best golfers in the world while caddying at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Bart was on the bag for American Bill Haas, a six-times PGA Tour winner, and fellow Saltus Grammar School student Newton for South African Dylan Frittelli, who finished fifth at the 2020 Masters and 2021 Open Championship, in the weather-shortened tournament at Port Royal Golf Course.

It is the first time the promising golfers have caddied in a PGA Tour event and they now intend to put the valuable lessons they learnt first hand to use in pursuit of their own ambitions in the sport moving forward.

“Bill is a great guy and honestly this is something that I will never forget,” Bart, 17, told The Royal Gazette.

“It was a lot of fun to be out here inside the ropes just seeing the best in the world. It's incredible seeing the best golf in the world up close, up front.

“It's intense and every shot out here matters because it's just so tight and everyone out here is great. It's a lot of focus involved and it's great to see the routines.

“This level of golf out here is just something that doesn't compare to what I see day to day.

“I wish that my game could look a little bit more like these guys. But I definitely learnt a lot from Bill and feel I like my game is only going to improve from this experience.”

Newton, 17, also thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful experience caddying at this level for the first time for Frittelli.

“This is my first time caddying in a PGA event and it's an awesome and unforgettable experience being up close next to some of the best golfers in the world,” he said.

“Seeing the way they plot their way around the course and strike the ball is just mesmerising really. The way that they take their time and how intentional they are, there's no guessing in their game and I am going to take that with me.

“I learnt a lot and it's definitely nerves. You don't want to give them the wrong read, wrong number or anything, so there's definitely pressure on you.

“It's really a huge responsibility and it's good that he [Frittelli] trusts my knowledge, so that's also a factor in believing in myself and knowing that I have the capabilities to help.”

Frittelli, who is also a former NCAA champion, was impressed by Newton's knowledge of the course and game.

“He's done really well. He gave me two reads over the first two rounds on the greens and they were both exactly correct,” he said.

“I only gave him a couple of pointers. Sometimes I give caddies too many pointers and try to explain too much and it confuses them. Knowing that he plays golf at a high level has been huge, so I just sort of let him do his own thing. He didn't need much guidance to be honest and spot-on with pretty much with everything.

“I haven't seen him swing a club yet, but he definitely has the head for the game and the mentality too.”

Frittelli finished tied for 71st at one under, while Haas was among those failing to make the 36-hole cut, which also included Bermuda's Nick Jones and Camiko Smith.

Bart and Newton were among four locals who caddied during the championship that also included Dwayne Pearman and Adam Perry, who caddied for Americans Austin Cook and Greg Koch, who also failed to make the cut.

Assistant tournament director Jevon Roberts is delighted to see locals getting opportunities such as these.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for them, especially for our younger golfers Johnny and Arnam and Adam as well to see what it’s like to play at that level and see the effort, work and time that goes into it,” the top local amateur said.

“These guys are really good golfers and it just kind of puts things in perspective for them at our local level and what these guys are inspiring to be.

“I just think that it’s a great opportunity for them to see it first hand and be beside the ropes and on the bag and just see everything that goes into what it takes to be a professional golfer. There’s no better way to get that understanding than being a caddie right there in the mix and having the opportunity to see it first hand.

“Dwayne has played with a bunch of these guys that are on tour, so he knows what it takes, but I think it’s a good opportunity for these young guys.

“They’re the ones that are looking to be going to college and playing Division I golf and possibly wanting to turn professional. So having an opportunity like that it will be a wealth of knowledge and understanding for them to see where their game is at and where they need to get their game at if they’re trying to play at that level.”

American Austin Smotherman was crowned champion after upstaging Irishman Séamus Power, the 2022 winner, in a play-off after the tournament was reduced to 54-holes when the final round was cancelled because of strong gales.