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Forget Goat Yoga: Oregon Ranch Debuts Newest Goat Caddies

Forget Goat Yoga: Oregon Ranch Debuts Newest Goat Caddies

Veteran caddies Bruce LeGoat and Mike LeChevon set to retire following the 2022 season as Chunky and Charlie join the ranks

By Brian Weis


SILVIES, Oregon - July 27, 2022 - The Links at Silvies Valley Ranch announced today that two new goat caddies have been added to the resort's staff. Chunky and Charlie were selected from over 300 young goats at the ranch all vying for a spot on the caddie team. Goat caddies are available to assist golfers on McVeigh's Gauntlet, the property's 7-hole challenge course that was named Best New Golf Experience by Golf Magazine in 2018. The stunning 7-hole course was designed as a fun yet challenging course to help players settle bets and test their accuracy on a series of undulating par 2, par 3, and par 4's.

While on duty, goat caddies carry up to six golf clubs, a dozen golf balls, golf tees, and six cans of refreshment, along with a few dozen peanuts for themselves. Silvies caddies are equipped with a custom goat caddie backpack designed by Seamus Golf.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chunky and Charlie to our team of caddies," said Sandy Campbell, head of the goat caddie program at Silvies. "Both of these guys have worked tirelessly to earn their spot on the staff, and they are sure to be adored by golfers and resort guests. After all, they never give any baaad advice on the course!"

The ranch has the largest herd of organic meat goats in the world. The goats are used to help improve the sustainable environment at the ranch, and as a healthier alternative to other kinds of protein at the ranch's gourmet restaurant and other white tablecloth restaurants and homes in the region. The purebred American Range Goats are two - eight years old when caddying full time, and they work three to four days a week for about four hours per day.

The McVeigh Course is about a half-mile long, and goat caddies get a 20 minute break between rounds, along with a healthy snack of organic antelope brush and juniper. Golfers must take a short training course to have a caddie and are given a two-way radio for questions or to summon a human if any disagreements occur with their caddie.

Like all caddies, they have their own caddy shack (by the clubhouse) where they lounge around until they're called. At night, they have caddie quarters in the stable where guests can go visit and pet them.

The goat caddies are one of the many things that make Silvies unique. Recognized by Golfweek, Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and Golf Inc. for its innovative approach to the golf experience, Silvies boasts both quality golf as well as the opportunity to connect with the land on a deeper level. In addition to golf, guests can enjoy a variety of ranch activities, including horseback riding, shooting, fishing, hiking, cattle feeding and goat herding. Ranked in the Top 15 Golf Resorts in America by Robb Report, the property features luxurious Western-inspired accommodations, farm-to-table dining options, an extensive Scotch collection, and one of the largest spas in Oregon, making the boutique eco-resort a must-see destination.

For more information on Silvies Valley Ranch or to book your retreat, please call 1-800-SILVIES (745-8437), email info@silvies.us or visit www.silvies.us.


Revised: 02/10/2023 - Article Viewed 2,884 Times - View Course Profile


About: Brian Weis


Brian Weis Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.



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