Troon Value: Genuinely Meticulous With Sophea Lim
Sophea Lim
Caddy Master at Vattanac Golf Resort, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Q: How long have you been at Vattanac Golf Resort?
A: I have worked here for 5 years and started work as a Caddy when the Golf Resort opened, and became a caddy Leader in 2021.
Q: How did you get into golf/become a caddy?
A; I have always enjoyed different sports like volleyball and I noticed on social media that there was a job opportunity at Vattanac Golf Resort, so I was naturally interested and saw it as a good opportunity to involve sport in my career.
Q; What’s your favorite part of the Caddy training program?
A: I really enjoy the sections we have about attitude and professionalism, as it is a great opportunity for me to help other Caddies improve their career prospects.
Q: How did you feel when you achieved Caddy Master status?
A: When I first started I was nervous as it’s a lot of responsibility, and there is a lot of direct communication with HOD’s and management level, but after I started I was really excited to manage a large group of Caddies. Because of my experience working in the caddy team, I felt like I had a lot to offer in terms of improving the standards of the overall experience.
Q:What do you do to inspire other women to become a Caddy or Caddy Master?
A: I like to explain about the opportunities available to them when working at Vattanac Golf Resort, and how the training program will help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Many Caddies do not feel like that they have many opportunities in life, so I like to show them that there is always room for career development no matter their background.
Q: Caddying can be quite physical work what are some stretches or exercises that you recommend for your caddies to prior to starting a round with their guests?
A: We encourage the team to regularly stretch their legs before and after the round, it can make all the difference!
Q: If a guest were to ask them, I only have 10 mins to warm up prior to my round, what would they recommend the guest do to warm up (ie range, stretching, roll a few putts, etc)?
A: I would say the most effective warm up in a short time would be to get the body moving, and into similar positions that they need to achieve on the course. A few swings with 2 or 3 clubs together helps get hips, arms and torso moving. If there are a few extra minutes, I would always recommend a short chipping session around the green to build some confidence before heading to the 1st tee.
Q: If a caddy notices a guest starting to get frustrated or ‘lose their swing’ in the middle of their round, are there any mental tips or tricks they can offer a guest to get back in the moment or get back to feeling the ground under their feet.
A: This can be tricky, instead of focusing on golf I might try to talk to them about a different subject such as the weather or what they did on the weekend. It can sometimes help them reset and take their mind off their bad shots. For other guests, I might try to reframe the result of a shot by highlighting the positives – For example, missed the green but we are in a good position to get “up and down”.
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