N.B. golf amateur tees off in first pro tournament, caddied by Canadian champion dad

Nick Ritchie took his first professional swing at Mactaquac Golf Course on Thursday, with a Canadian golfing legend — his dad, Darren Ritchie — carrying his clubs behind him.

23-year-old Nick of Quispamsis earned his way into the PGA Tour Americas Explore N.B. Open happening this weekend in Mactaquac by winning a four-man playoff at the New Brunswick Men’s Amateur tournament last summer.

The win came with a sponsor's exemption into the tournament, where he is the only amateur, and New Brunswick player, out of over 150 golfers. 

Amateur N.B. golfer takes on the pros

“This is kind of like a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Nick said. “It feels awesome — nerve wracking. 

“I feel a little out of my element, but that’s not a bad thing.”

What may be out of Nick’s element for now, is right in his dad’s wheelhouse — or maybe clubhouse. 

Darren Ritchie is a two-time winner of the same amateur tournament that got Nick into the Explore N.B. Open. Against all odds and expectations he also won the 1992 Canadian Amateur Championship, beating Mike Weir. 

So choosing his dad to caddie for him “was a no-brainer,” he said. 

“He's the one that kind of brought me into golf. He's really been my only coach ever since I was a little kid, so we always play this game together,” Nick said.

“Nick’s at another level at 23 than what I was, so his skill is there,” Darren said. “I’m a very proud father… and I’m very proud to be caddying for him this weekend.”

Darren is well-known in the golfing community, but he said he doesn’t want to draw attention away from his son’s achievements. 

“It's funny, that was always something I said, I would pass the torch to him... but I would never light it,” Darren said. 

“He hates the saying ‘following in his