The PGA Tour Champions is usually focused on the golfers' performances. Jason Caron, however, is getting help from family at the Dick's Open.
ENDICOTT, N.Y. — The focus of the PGA Tour Champions is usually on the golfers, how they perform and where they stand in the rankings.
Jason Caron, however, can add what his 12-year-old daughter, Caroline, is doing in the process.
The 52-year-old golfing pro is sitting in contention for the Dick’s Open title all weekend, currently two strokes behind current leader, Steve Allan. But one guest appearance in a content meeting gave her the opportunity to become the social media star for the weekend — and she’s soaked in every bit of it.
“I’m very social,” Caroline said. “I kind of love being on camera, being the star and the main character vibe. And I love talking to people.”
Caroline worked alongside the Dick’s Open social media team throughout the Pro-Am and first round, walking up to different pros and asking them all sorts of questions. With a mini microphone in hand, she quickly got creative with each interview and started showing off handshakes she has with some of the pros, too.
“It was really fun seeing all the different players,” Caroline said. “A bunch of times, like, if I go to see someone, and they'll come up and they're like, ‘Hi, how Hi. How are you?’ I'm just like, ‘Good, how about you?’ And like, we'll shake hands, we'll do a fist bump.”
At one point, she even tried to climb a tree to interview her dad.
“I’m usually very goofy, but like, energetic,” Caroline said laughing. “I saw the tree and I really felt like climbing, so I did … and I just started talking to him.”
Caroline doesn’t have any social media of her own, but she’s fascinated with being on camera. She’s extroverted, and will talk to anyone who’s willing to strike up a conversation. It even reached a point where Caroline’s mom, Liz Janangelo Caron, was stopped along the course multiple times with people telling her how fun it is to be around Caroline.
“That's her personality, too. You know, she's very outgoing, she likes the limelight a little bit, as you can tell,” Caron said. “I have to thank Dick’s again, for letting her get in there and having some fun. It's been great.”
Caron said he tries to bring Caroline and his other daughter, Julia, to as many golf tournaments as possible, because it helps keep him relaxed on the course. Caroline also plays golf, though in a more casual setting. She’s always the first one to take photos and videos of her dad, too.
“We've been treating it as like a family deal,” Caron said. “There's nothing better than looking over and seeing your kids.”
Caroline has made friends with almost everyone on the golf course and people watching from the cart path. When she does eventually get permission to have her own social media accounts, she said she’ll probably bring the same energy she had during her Dick’s Open takeover.
And she’ll still enjoy watching her dad, too.
“I really just love to see him play,” Caroline said. “It’s so much fun, especially when he does well.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Jason Caron’s daughter takes over Dick’s Open as social media star
Category: General Sports