Date: September 18, 2015
Author: Western Golf Association

Murray Brothers inducted into Caddie Hall of Fame


Recognized for contributions to caddying

LAKE FOREST, Illinois (September 16, 2015) – Actor Bill Murray and his five brothers – whose experiences as caddies at Indian Hill Club in Winnetka inspired the 1980 comedy classic, “Caddyshack” – were inducted into The Caddie Hall of Fame on Wednesday night at the 2015 BMW Championship following their participation in the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Administered by the Western Golf Association since 2007, The Caddie Hall of Fame highlights the tradition and importance of caddying by recognizing individuals who have devoted their lives to the game of golf through caddying or by supporting the role of caddies.

During the induction ceremony, the six brothers – Bill, Andy, Brian, Ed, Joel and John –discussed their caddie days, their family and golf. Moderator Jimmy Roberts of NBC Sports asked the brothers what makes a good caddie.
 
“A good caddie makes a member feel like part of a team and like you’re trying to accomplish something together,” said Ed Murray, the only of the Murray brothers to earn the Evans Scholarship.
 
 Bill Murray said, “It’s an ability to look at a player when he hits a bad shot and go ‘ehhhh….. it happens.’ And when he hits a good shot, you go, ‘well, that’s really who you are.’”

The Murray Brothers join the likes of Tom Watson, Chick Evans and Jack Nicklaus in The Caddie Hall of Fame. 

“What an honor to be included with Old Tom Morris, Frances Ouimet, Fluff Cowan and all that crowd,” Ed said.

“I’m just afraid they’re going to make me caddie again,” Bill joked. 

Bill’s portrayal of Bushwood Country Club’s hapless greenskeeper, Carl Spackler, in “Caddyshack” helped immortalize the film, which was co-written by his older brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, who also played caddie master Lou Loomis in the movie.

“We are honored and excited to welcome the Murray brothers to the 2015 BMW Championship and to induct them into The Caddie Hall of Fame,” said Vince Pellegrino, Senior Vice President of Tournaments for the Western Golf Association, which conducts the BMW Championship.

“The Murray brothers’ experiences coming of age in the caddie yard – including the quest for an Evans Scholarship – are what have made 'Caddyshack' a favorite, not just of golfers and sports fans but of movie lovers across the world.”

Brian based a key plot element of “Caddyshack” on the eldest Murray brother Ed's pursuit of a caddie scholarship. Ed was awarded an Evans Scholarship to attend Northwestern University in 1963.

The Murray brothers and their three sisters – Nancy, Peggy and Laura – grew up in Wilmette. Their father, Edward Murray, was a lumber salesman and their mother, Lucille, was a homemaker.

THE INDUCTEES
Andrew Murray, 61, is a chef, and is co-founder and co-chariman of the Murray Bros. Caddyshack restaurant in St. Augustine, Florida.  The restaurant, located in the World Golf Village, opened in 2001.  Andy usually can be found either in the kitchen or greeting customers at the front door.  

Bill Murray, 64, followed his brother Brian to Second City and joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1976, eventually becoming a leading member of the cast and earning an Emmy Award.   He parlayed his comedic genius into starring roles in such box office hits as "Caddyshack," "Stripes" and "Tootsie."  He later starred in "Ghostbusters," also a massive hit.  In recent years, Murray has turned to more dramatic roles, winning a Golden Globe Award for his work in "Lost in Translation."  Throughout his career, Murray’s love of golf has been a constant.  He has been a regular at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, where his crazy outfits and occasionally outrageous crowd interactions delight live and TV audiences alike.

Brian Doyle-Murray, 69, has had a 43-year career as an actor, comedian, voice-actor and screenwriter, earning three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy in 1978, ’79 and ’80 for his work on Saturday Night Live, NBC’s trailblazing sketch comedy and variety show.   He has appeared in a number of movies – including "Caddyshack," "Scrooged," "Ghostbusters II", "The Razor’s Edge" and "Groundhog Day" – and TV shows. He currently has a recurring role as auto dealership owner Don Ehlert in the sitcom "The Middle" on ABC.  He got his start at Chicago’s Second City improvisational sketch comedy theater.  Brian also is an avid golfer.

Ed Murray, 71, retired in 2010 as senior vice president with Morgan Stanley after a 27-year career as a financial consultant.  The first of the Murray brothers to work at Indian Hill, Ed caddied for the likes of evangelist Billy Graham, Bob Hope and Charles “Chick” Evans, a U.S. Open champion and founder of the Evans Scholarship.  He received the Evans Scholarship in 1963, but four years in the Air Force delayed his graduation until 1971.  He played a bit part in "Caddyshack," earning $35 a day as an extra.  He and actor Michael O’Keefe, who played Noonan, played golf together during filming.  Ed is still an avid golfer.

Joel Murray, 52, has been in show business since 1986, including a stint at Second City early in his career. He recently played the recurring character of advertising copywriter Freddy Rumsen in 15 episodes of the mammoth hit series "Mad Men." He starred in the 1990 TV series "Grand," the 1991 comedy series "Pacific Station" and the 1992 ABC series "Dharma & Greg." He has made guest appearances on such shows as "The Nanny," "Joan of Arcadia," "Two and a Half Men," "Malcom in the Middle," "Criminal Minds" and "Blossom." In the 2012 film "God Bless America" he portrays Frank, a man whose contempt for the superficiality and meanness of America society sends him over the edge and into a killing spree. In the 2013 film "Monsters University," he played the voice of Don Carlton, a middle-aged monster. He recently joined the improve-comedy troupe Whose Live Anyway?

John Murray, 57, is an actor, writer and producer.  He has appeared in a number of films, including "Starting Over," "Caddyshack," "They All Laughed," "Moving Violations" and "Scrooged."  He also has appeared in several TV roles on such programs as "Northern Exposure" and "The Eleventh Hour."