Meet Ken Runyon. Former Caddy aimed at creating better golfers and better people.
So Ken, where are you from, what life was like growing up?
My family, while not exactly dirt poor, the working class was definitively. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and we lived across from the Los Angeles International Airport. My father was an airline mechanic for United Airlines and my mother was a bank teller for Crocker Bank; not exactly that of pedigree think in golf circles. For me, growing up, it was DC 10, the takeoff and landing on the other side of the street, public schools, public golf courses and caddying the weekend so I can play grounds private golf better in Los Angeles.
I hung on Indonesia since 1999. I started to Bali on a surfing holiday. Bali Lombok Sumbawa in Sumatra, I finally arrived in Jakarta in 2006. I met so many wonderful people who live here in Jakarta on this trip, great local and expatriate. I was struck by the energy and enthusiasm, especially with the expatriate community here. I lived in San Francisco at the time, involved in several businesses and making good, I thought. Of course, I had a lot of "stuff", but I soon taught me that people actually live in Jakarta. There is not a day that goes to Jakarta, I do not see or experience something interesting, wild or crazy. This kind of experience of everyday life just was not happening for me longer to return to California and is ultimately what led me to Jakarta.
You started as a caddy and now work at Accel Junior Golf Academy here in Jakarta. How did you make the transition to caddy golf academy?
I would humble beginnings, which I believe has shaped my life in a very positive way. I worked as a dishwasher, waiter, on a tree farm Christmas, insurance salesman, a business owner and many other jobs. Looking back, however, it has been my experience as a caddy and golf in general, I cherish the most. I am able to work in Bel Air Country Club under Head Pro Eddie Merrins, "The Little Pro". Mr. Merrins took the UCLA golf team (with Cory Pavin, Tom Pernise and Duffy Waldorf) PAC championship 10. He is my coach, mentor and friend. He gave me the opportunity to caddy for Jack Nicklaus and I met a 14-year-old named Tiger Woods through my association with Mr. Merrins and Bel Air Country Club. Bel Air and Eddie Merrins are the basis of my experience of golf and the source of my motivation to bring golf to the youth of Jakarta. I was a very good caddy back in the day, but over the years I've developed a unique talent in working with children and making the complex simple to understand.
Is there a particular reason you chose to focus on junior golf?
Our academy does not exclude adults. We have many adult students; many parents of our juniors. Here the main question though; Golf is not a natural athletic activity. Each natural instinct while addressing a golf ball is FALSE. There are no golfers born and literally every professional tour you see on TV has either been taught by a teaching professional at an early age or self-taught through many years of hard work, toil and study. I just find it easier to work with a blank slate, as opposed to someone who has developed many bad habits over time. Do not get me wrong, I like working with anyone with a genuine interest in improving their golf swing and golf game. Bad habits can be overcome and everyone, with average athletic ability, can become a proficient golfer.
What, if any, are some of the challenges in working with junior golfers?
For me, trying to teach kids to play golf is like a fish trying to learn to swim. I guess I'm just a big kid at heart and it comes naturally to work with children. We focus on both fun and fundamentals. We are also very enthusiastic about the values of the rules, etiquette and golf. The challenge is to create better golfers and better people as well.
What is your favorite golf course in Indonesia?
This is easy, Cilandak Golf Course, alias Fatmawati. It is a nine hole facility in Jakarta and a great place to learn for children and adults. Of course, the Asian Tour will not likely hold an event at Fatmawati so early, but it is an excellent starting point for anyone new to the game. Of course, Jakarta is blessed with so many world class courses.
I had the chance to take lessons from the start. I could not afford lessons from the likes of Eddie Merrins but because I caddied and worked in Bel Air Country Club, Mr.Merrins would give me free lessons in his spare time. Mr. Merrins groundbreaking book of "Rotate the handle" is at hand that I continue to be influenced by his teaching. I am also a fanatic Ben Hogan and Hogan to keep the two books, "Power Golf" and "Five Lessons" under my pillow. I also worked closely with Tom Bertrand, author of "The Secret of Hogan Swing". Tom had direct access to Hogan secrets through its affiliation with tourism professionals John Schlee, one of the very few who took private lessons from Hogan. I recommend all three books to any student of the game. I continue to be a student of the game and sometimes the best lessons are those I teach our students.
mode Golf is quite distinct, with lots of bright colors, pastels and plaid. Is there a reason behind the strong outfits?
That's a good question. I guess it all started with Doug Sanders, back in the 60s and 70s, and now a tradition carried on today by so many tourism professionals. I also sometimes be noisy with pink plaid suits and warm. There is no accounting for taste. Besides, what's so wrong with a coordinated set of pressed golf pants, matching belt, polished shoes and ironed collared shirt that is hidden in? I fully golf fashion. Fort perhaps, but very tidy.
So apart from golf, there other sports that you enjoy?
As I mentioned earlier, I came originally to Indonesia to surf. I'm not very good, but I like it. I love motorcycles and raced enduro class in the Mojave Desert ala Steve McQueen. Sailing is another passion I went to San Francisco with my Yamaha dirt bike. My heart, however, is here in Jakarta.
What do you like most about living in Indonesia?
Easy! All smiling faces !! As I said, people really live here. There is always something. And for those who complain about the traffic, it's really not bad here. Try the 405 freeway in Los Angeles!
Thank you Ken! To contact email kenrunyon01@gmail.com