The story behind Caddyshack
“Noonan, Noonan … miss it, mmmiss it.” This famous crowd whisper and roar surrounded the 18th hole putt that made caddie Danny Noonan the big winner in the 1980 film and timeless cult classic, Caddyshack.
In anticipation of the BMW Championship this month, let’s reminisce about this golf movie. The “I’m Alright” theme song from Kenny Loggins and a dancing gopher are the backdrops for the hilarious comedy set at the fictitious Bushwood Country Club.
Caddyshack features Bill Murray as Carl Spackler, a half-witted, gopher-hunting groundskeeper; the late Ted Knight as Judge Smails, an uptight country club member and caddie scholarship program director; Chevy Chase as Ty Webb, a legitimate golfer and businessman; Rodney Dangerfield as Al Czervik, an obnoxious guest and land developer; and Michael O’Keefe as Danny Noonan, a young caddie determined to win a caddie scholarship so he can attend college.
Inspiration for the movie came in many forms, one of which was Bill Murray’s late brother, Ed, who was a 1963 Evans Scholarship recipient (see related article page 15). It was Ed who introduced the game of golf to his family in suburban Chicago by way of caddying starting at age 10. Ed went on to attend Northwestern University.
Versions of the film were pitched several times, but it was the angle of Animal House on a golf course that finally received the green light.
In later years, the Murray brothers went on to open themed restaurants, Murray Bros. Caddyshack in St. Augustine, Florida (2001) and Rosemont, Illinois (2018). They also host an annual golf tournament, The Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament in Florida.
Mr. Gopher, the nemesis of the groundskeeper in the 1980 classic, Caddyshack.
By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Orion Pictures
