"When I was missing all those cuts in a row, I definitely was missing caddying."

Doug Ferguson leads his weekly notes column with an update on Brett Waldman, former caddie for Camilo Villegas who qualified for the Nationwide Tour this year but struggled, earning just $6,958.

"I worked so hard to get my game in shape, and it didn't come into shape until the end of the year," Waldman said. "I just wasn't in any tournaments. I was fully exempt, but only for 10 events, which was my own fault. I made one cut out of 10, and my status dropped by like 35 players. I was in events easily, and then I had a hard time getting in. Therefore, I had to Monday qualify or get an exemption."

A year ago, Waldman felt as though he couldn't pass up a chance at playing pro golf. It might be different this year if he makes it through to the final stage, but still has only Nationwide Tour status.

He made it through the year, but financially says he "took a pretty good hit."

If he were to get his PGA Tour card, he would come out to the arena where he once only caddied. But to spend another year in the minor leagues might be difficult if he started getting phone calls from players looking for a caddie.

"Getting a good bag is always tempting," he said. "Especially after a year like this."