Fort Meade caddie working toward career as pro

As a caddie at Streamsong Resort in Fort Meade, Marc Dull doesn't just carry golfers' bags.

He advises them on the best shot or putt on a particular hole.

That's Dull's day-to-day job, and it's helping him get closer to his goal of playing professional golf as a career.

"What it's taught me is golf management, course management," said Dull. "I've become more conservative and I take more calculated risks. I don't always go for it on an par-5 or something like that. I don't always shoot at every flag."

He's played in some pro events before, but he now competes as an amateur.

Dull admits that he didn't always dream of going pro, but he did come from a family who played competitively. His great grandfather was a 2-time U.S.G.A Champion.

"I kind of like idolized him as far as how good he was," said Dull. "I got to hear from all the people in the area how good he always was, so I kind of aspired to be as good or, you know, I didn't think I'd ever be better than him, but be close."

He has come close to winning a U.S.G.A event himself, but before that, Dull became frustrated with his game, and took some time away from the course.

"I didn't even play recreationally, I just kind of gave it up completely," he said.

A couple of years after taking a year off from golf, Dull almost found himself in the world's most prestigious golf tournament -- the Masters. Winners of the U.S. Mid-Amateur get a spot in Augusta, but he fell just short as the runner-up in 2015.

"It's a dream you dream, but never really expect to ever accomplish it," said Dull. "To actually play in the Masters is just a crazy thought, really."

It's a crazy thought that keeps him dreaming of one day getting there.

"When you have confidence in your game, and you know you can do it, you play [more free]. You don't worry about playing badly, you're not afraid to go try to win."

With his runner-up finish last year, Dull is exempt for the next three U.S. Mid-Amateur tournaments. He'll also play in the upcoming U.S. Amateur in August. 

Coming up this Thursday through Sunday, Dull will compete in the 90th New Year's Invitational at St. Petersburg Country Club. Past champions of this event include players who have established careers on the PGA Tour such as JB Holmes, Brandt Snedeker and Jeff Overton as well as U.S. Amateur champions Buddy Alexander and Peter Uihlein.