Alfred ‘Rabbit’ Dyer, Gary Player’s legendary looper and Caddie Hall of Famer passes

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December 9, 2019

The era of black caddies ruling the tour fairways is a distant memory and there are only a few of the big legends still alive. Today, marks the announcement of sad news in the caddie world, as we have learned about the passing of caddie legend Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer in November.

Dyer, 82, was an inductee into the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2000. He spent 20 years caddying for World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player. According to a release by Player, Dyer began caddying at age 9 at Metairie Country Club in New Orleans. Early in his career, he caddied for Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Dave Stockton and Lee Trevino before being hired by Player in 1972. One of the first prominent black caddies on the PGA Tour, Dyer caddied for Player until 1992. Dyer also wrote a Pro Caddie blog called “The Looper Line” for the African American Golfer’s Digest.

In 1974, Dyer was the first black man to caddie in the Open Championship. Though he wasn’t well-received – even by his peers – that week, Dyer managed to help guide Player to his third Open Championship win at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Gary Player and Alfred Dyer

Said Player of Dyer: “I’ll miss Rabbit dearly. He caddied for me for over 20 years and we traveled the world together. Like me, he had such a great sense of humor, and in this sense, he always reminded me of Muhammad Ali in that he was always ready to laugh, crack a joke or give a hilarious one-liner. He had tons of charisma. During our time together we were able to put his son through Princeton University, and which I know made him immensely proud as a father. I’ll miss him so much and hope that when we meet again in heaven, he’ll be there with a laugh and a smile and then go out and for our first round there together.”

Through his Facebook account, Player released this tribute video to his late looper: In memory of Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer.

Dennis Cone from Team PCA and a Caddie Hall of Fame Committee member, called Dyer, “the caddies-caddie.”

“Rabbit was the last of the big-name traveling caddies from the 1950s,” Cone said who also operates a fishing program for Kids with cancer and Veterans. “His positive spirit and support for all caddies, kids and the game will live forever in the fairways of heaven.”

Alfred Dyer (left) with Dennis Cone, president/CEO, Professional Caddie Association

Cone also shared this quote from Dyer’s brother, Felton: “Rabbit meant the world to me. He got me out of New Orleans and on the road caddying for 15 years. Rabbit would tell me and others, ‘you got too much Game, like Jessie James.’ He had a kind heart for others.”

In his storied career, Dyer also caddied for celebrities like Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr., among others, as well as presidents Gerald Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In a 2015 interview with staugustine.com, Dyer had this to say about those loops: “The nicest ones I worked for were Bob Hope and President Eisenhower. All them were nice.” Dyer would also spend time later in his career caddying for Chi Chi Rodriguez on the Champions Tour.

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(l-r) Pro Golfer Calvin Peete, AAGD Senior Editor Edward Wanambwa, Pro Caddie Alfred ‘Rabbit’ Dyer at the African American Golfer’s Digest Diversity Pavilion during the PGA Merchandise Show, 2007. (photo: AAGD)

“Rabbit was always cordial and always had something humorous to say whenever I ran into him, especially at the annual PGA Merchandise Shows, where he was a booth rep for one of the product and service companies,” said Debert Cook, publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest. “He would spend many of his lunch breaks over at our booth, sharing some of his many life’s stories and meeting everybody. We’ll certainly miss him and the three-piece suits he would wear while saying, ‘I’m styling and profiling’. May you rest in peace, Alfred.”

According to sources, Dyer’s body was found sitting at the wheel of his vehicle at a Fort Pierce, Florida highway rest stop, as if he had stopped to take a nap. His remains will be cremated. Any further information regarding a memorial service will be shared with our readers on this posting.