University News

WIU Alumni Traveling with Web.com Golf Tour

March 19, 2019

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MACOMB, IL— Kurt Slattery, a 2013 Western Illinois University business management graduate, has been traveling with the Web.com Golf Tour as the caddie for golfer Steven Ihm, who has his own local roots.

Ihm, a graduate from the University of Iowa, is also the husband of 2016 WIU communication graduate, Caitlin (Meyers) Ihm. He and Slattery became friends while playing golf in college.

"I met Kurt while he was at Western and I was at Indian Hills Community College in 2011," said Ihm. "We knew each other through golf, and I stayed in touch with him throughout the years. "

Slattery found out about Ihm's need for a caddie while working at a golf course in Scottsdale, AZ.

"I was brainstorming ideas of what to do once the season finished in Arizona and had heard about the position through a mutual friend of Steven and I," said Slattery. "I expressed my interest and here we are. The experience of working with friends toward a common goal is very fulfilling."

The Web.com Tour is one level below the PGA Tour. Ihm's goal is to earn his PGA Tour Card by finishing in the top 25 of the Web.com tour. Slattery plays a big role in helping Ihm reach that goal.

"My involvement with Steven is being his caddie, which requires more than just carrying his bag around," said Slattery. "During the course of play in the tournament Steven and I will be discussing how to dissect a golf course to suit his strengths. I am also there to help him feel confident in every decision we make as a team."

The pair is on hiatus until March 21, when they will meet up in Broussard, LA for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open. They will continue to tour the country throughout the rest of the year.

"My plans for once the tour ends is to hopefully have Steven get his PGA Tour card and get ready for the season on the PGA Tour," said Slattery. "I really believe he has the talent to be able to accomplish that goal. I wouldn't have become his caddie if I didn't believe in his playing ability."

For a complete list of the locations of the tour and player statistics, visit pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/schedule.html.

Posted By: Kayla M. Harrington (WIUnews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing