A Broken Leg, A Caddy Named John & John 8:18

The story of how one man's misfortune was turned into a life changing experience for a young Christian golf professional from Australia is the subject of this BC Golf News feature written by veteran reporter Liz White.

By Liz White
iseekgolf.com

If it were not for her caddy breaking his leg, Katherine Hull's breakthrough victory at the Canadian Open in August may never have happened.

Hull was forced to switch to John Powell in April and immediately the pair clicked.

Three months later, they were a tight unit, and like an "old married couple," they argued from fairway to fairway, but one barney in particular, in the first round of the August Canadian Open, turned Hull's season, and career, around.

"I said to John, 'I could walk off the golf course, I am not enjoying this,'" she said.

"Then he got in my face as we were walking to the 14th tee and he said: 'you have been given a gift to play and you are wasting it, you think I'm ticked off, imagine what God thinks right now."

It is well documented what happened next. Hull went home and returned to the Bible at John's insistence. The next day the 26-year-old came out and shot the second best round of the tournament, a stunning seven under 65.

But what Hull was not to know, was just how resonant the blast from her caddy would prove to be.

Since that dispute in August, Hull has been in contention in several USLPGA tournaments, finishing in the top ten six times and earning over $US1 million.

And while it was Hull swinging the clubs, she says she owes so much of her new found success to John.

"It is the best personality match I have had since turning pro, he has held me accountable on and off the golf course, so it's been a huge benefit and I couldn't have done it without him," she said.

"We do argue a lot but is funny because neither of us takes it personally and everyone is entertained when we do."

2008 has been a watershed year for Hull in so many ways.

Almost a year ago, she was pulling her own bag at the NSW Open, preferring her own company than that of someone she did not know.

But for this year's Australian season, it's team Hull.

Travelling with the Queenslander is her personal fitness trainer from the United States, Rebecca, her coach, Wollongong based Steve McRae, and from January her caddy, John.

As her coach says, Katherine is now a business; each team member with a job to ensure the entity of Katherine Hull is as successful as it can be.

And Hull has certainly held up her end of the bargain.

The Queenslander has worked tirelessly on her fitness, does yoga religiously, reads scripture daily, hasn't had an alcoholic drink since she can't remember when, hasn't even eaten a dessert since August.

But she is not complaining. One of the by-products has been what every elite athlete needs - self-belief.

"I am really happy I achieved my goals and it has kind of made me hungry for bigger and better things next year," she said.

"I haven't put pen to paper but basically my aim is to get my ranking into top ten and win multiple times and then focus on the majors," she said.

And there would be plenty of fans out there delighted to see Hull holding the silverware.

A quick scan of the USLPGA feedback site and the Queenslander comfortably outranks the other tour players in terms of comments from the fans.

Statements like: "Because of Katherine I am a life-long fan of the LPGA" and "Of all the times I have worked with the LPGA (in pro-ams) she is by far the most friendly, spiritual outgoing player I have come across."

These comments almost embarrass Hull, because as far as she is concerned she is just doing what is natural.

"I do play golf and it is what I do, but it is not who I am," she explains.

"It doesn't define me so I would rather make a connection with someone on a different level other than golf."

Hull has also made a connection of a very different kind. She has three children that she sponsors in war torn Rwanda with the aim of getting them an education and building a hospital.

While this world number 30 proudly wears John 8:18 on her cap ("He who believes in Jesus shall have eternal life"), Hull agrees her faith in God was sorely tested by the horrors she witnessed in the African nation.

"You wonder how the world got in the situation that it is in, but the bottom line is we live in a fallen world," she rationalises.

"We have a choice every day to choose to do good and I am only in control of what I can do, and if it is one life I can change, then that's great."

What would also be great is if Hull were to win her favourite tournaments next year.

"I would love to win the ANZ Ladies Masters and the Australian Open," she said.

"They have always been two of my favourite tournaments and it would be a nice way to start the year."

Nice, yes - a surprise, no.

About the Author: Liz White
Liz White has been a journalist for 25 years. She started her career in print at News Limited covering major news events. For the past 18 years she has worked in television as a producer and researcher on Australia's leading current affairs programmes, Today Tonight, A Current Affair, Real Life and Hinch. While admitting to being a news junkie, sports reporting is her real passion.