It’s been a big year Ellie and Michael Greller. After getting married in 2013, the Gig Harbor couple is in the midst of a remarkable run of success. Michael is the caddy for 20-year-old phenom golfer Jordan Spieth, who recently made a huge statement on golf’s biggest stage, tying for second place at the 2014 Masters in Augusta, Georgia, with a 5-under par performance for the tournament. Everything was working in the major for Spieth — and for Michael as well.
“That was the greatest work week of my life,” Greller said. “They say when you get in the zone, everything slows down. If there’s such thing as a caddying zone, we just got into a zone that week.”
Greller, 37, originally linked up with Spieth through Justin Thomas, a mutual friend and golfer. Greller was teaching at Narrows View Intermediate School in University Place at the time, and caddying in various spots, such as Chambers Bay Golf Course.
He got a call from Spieth and an opportunity to caddy for him in the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur at Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton. A year later, he caddied again for Spieth at the 2012 U.S. Open, where Spieth finished 21st as an amateur. Spieth’s recent second place finish at the Masters cast him into the national spotlight. Ellie, who wasn’t a huge golf fan before she met her husband, didn’t understand how exciting the sport could be until she attended the Masters.
“Just walking to greens, I was nervous and excited,” she said. “You’re supposed to follow golf etiquette, but on the fourth hole on the last day of the Masters, Jordan hit an amazing bunker shot and I just screamed at the top of my lungs. It’s such an emotional game; I had no idea what an emotional roller coaster it is.”
While the success has brought the couple financial security and wonderful opportunities to see different parts of the world and experience different cultures, the traveling demands were strenuous on their marriage. Ellie, 33, said their relationship is strong and they can deal with the distance, but it’s been tough.
“It’s been a little challenging to spend so much time apart,” she said.
One of Michael’s main responsibilities is to be a source of encouragement for Spieth. Encouragement, ironically enough, is what Michael was missing when he was on the road.
“There’s long days of travel,” Michael said. “Or if you miss a cut, have a bad round and need encouragement, (Ellie) does that very well and naturally.”
As a result, Ellie is resigning from her post as a kindergarten teacher at Artondale Elementary to follow her husband on the tour. The decision wasn’t easy for the admired teacher, who has been at Artondale for nine years.
