Record-Setting AFA Hockey Player Serving in Caddie Role

The players in the 74th U.S. Girls’ Junior are not the only ones with remarkable credentials roaming the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy Eisenhower Golf Club this week. In fact, one caddie owns a piece of the NCAA record book in another athletic endeavor. Chuck Delich, who is looping for University of Oregon incoming freshman Kiara Romero, of San Jose, Calif., still owns the Division I ice hockey mark for most career goals, registering 156 in 109 games for the Air Force Academy from 1973-77. Delich, 68, went on to coach 17 seasons for the Falcons, the last 13 as head coach. This came after his four years of post-graduation service to the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer in California. Following his coaching stint, he worked 23 years in commercial real estate before coming out of retirement last season to assist current AFA coach and close friend Frank Serratore. “He asked if I could come back and keep him company, more than anything. I [still] get out there with the boys. I try not to get hurt. It’s a function of let’s make it to next week.” Delich, who currently plays to a 4 handicap, was good enough to qualify for the 1994 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club. He also caddied for younger brother David in two U.S. Senior Opens (2008 and 2015) and a pair of Mid-Ams. He’s been playing Eisenhower G.C. for five decades, and this week he is providing local knowledge to Romero, who finished third in stroke play with a 4-under total of 140. “The biggest thing is there are some slow putts out there,” said Delich of the biggest advice he has provided. “She hasn’t made very many mistakes…It’s amazing how consistent they are. They hit the ball in the middle of the club. They know how far they hit it and they know what they want to do with it.”