Caddies also enjoy the perks of new clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass

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Glen Murray (with Sergio Garcia) (Getty Images)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Without question, the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass is unlike any other in the world of golf.

Simply put, it's world class. During PLAYERS Championship week, the posh treatment isn't limited to the tournament's competitors, either. The caddies here have it quite good too.

At the end of the Tunnel of Champions (the player walkway from the locker room to the driving range) and up the hallway from the bag room, is a hospitality area specifically for the caddies. The room is complete with cushy leather chairs, two plasma televisions, air conditioning and some good, hot food.

"It's nice to get here a little early anid know you can get a good lunch and relax a little instead of feeling pressured and rushed," said Corby Segal, who loops for Briny Baird. "A lot of guys have been coming early just because it's a nce place to hang out and wait for your tee time."

Being at THE PLAYERS, aside from the royal treatment and the chance to take a crack at arguably the game's most famous par 3 during the Wednesday practice round in the Bruce Edwards Memorial Caddie Competition, is particularly special for Segal.

"This is definitely one of the most fun tournaments for me," he said. "I grew up watching golf and this is one of the tournaments I remember watching. Other than the four majors this, in my mind, is one of the biggest of the year as well."

Jeff Willett, who caddies for Brian Bateman, won the 17th hole competition this year with a shot that stopped 17 inches from the hole. Along with bragging rights, Willett received a HP laptop donated by CDW, a 42-inch flat panel HDTV donated by Robert Garrigus, and the pot of money donated by players

Scott Sajtinac, the longtime caddie of Paul Goydos, was hanging out at the caddie room early Saturday afternoon.

"It's perfect. It's a good place to relax before and after the round," he said. "We've got the nice plasma TVs in there and Wheel of Fortune usually comes on around 7 when we're done, which is always good. The food is good and the people that run it are very nice. They can't do enough for us."

Glen Murray, who caddies for Sergio Garcia, said the caddies have been hanging out a lot more than usual this week because of the room and have exchanged some great stories.

Such as?

"Not any that wouldn't affect somebody if I told you," Murray said, laughing. "So I'll keep the stories to myself."

Murray did offer a little insight when it comes to what goes on in the room, though.

"All the guys get together and have a bit of a laugh watching the guys on 17 hit the ball in the water," he said. "It's a nice place to relax. You can't get better than having a nice big television to watch the 17th hole on.

"Obviously the air conditioning is great with as hot as it is, but we've been looked after great this week -- really well. Having a facility like that and being looked after and all, we can't ask for more from the PGA TOUR. They've been great to us."

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