For Geno Bonnalie, caddying for Joel Dahmen on the PGA Tour isn’t just about helping his childhood friend navigate the world’s most challenging golf courses, it’s about maintaining a down-to-earth approach despite the bright lights of professional sports and the growing popularity that comes with it.
“I have a couple more dollars than I did before, but I feel like I’m the same person that I’ve always been,” Bonnalie said. “The way we’ve always treated people, that’s why I think we are where we are. We’re still those guys that like to hang out with others with similar interests.”
Bonnalie grew up in Lewiston, ID and Dahmen grew up right across the river in Clarkston, WA.
The two grew up golfing at Quailridge Golf Course and Bryden Canyon Golf Course.
While Bonnalie and Dahmen both had success in high school, Dahmen won two Washington state titles in high school (2003 and 2006) and earned a scholarship to golf for the University of Washington in 2007.
Dahmen bounced around the amateur circuit after losing his scholarship in his first fall season.
Dahmen eventually earned a trip to the PGA Tour Canada in 2010, sparking Dahmen’s professional career and the start of Bonnalie’s caddying days.
Bonnalie wrote a letter to Dahmen, “officially applying for the position.”
Dahmen would earn his PGA Tour card in 2017 and his first PGA Tour title in 2021 at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in the Dominican Republic.
The two started to gain popularity around that time for playing golf at random courses with fans, whether they won or lost.
“I think that’s neat that we’ve been able to stay that way,” Bonalie said “If we miss a cut and are stuck in a town for a weekend, we’ll go play with some regular Joes on Saturday at some random course, have a good time with them and that’s that.”
The popularity grew exponentially after being featured in Netflix’s Full Swing in 2023.
“It showcases kind of a downside of it, right? His popularity during season one kind of took a toll on his golf game. In season two, you could tell it was just kind of a down year,” Bonnalie said. “Golf’s a weird sport. You can win any week, but the pressure Joel felt from his popularity off the course was affecting his game.”
However, despite the challenges, Geno remains optimistic. “Joel’s attitude has been fantastic. He’s working really hard on his golf game,” he said. “We’re trying to get our equipment dialed in for the next run of golf, and I’m excited about the progress we’ve made.”
One of the things that keeps Geno grounded is his deep connection to his hometown. “A lot of people do know me, and I knew a lot of people before,” he shared. “People still come up to me, ask for pictures, and it’s always a fun experience.” Geno’s community ties remain strong, and he’s made it a point to use his platform for good.
“I try to give back as much as I can. I do a lot of donations for some of the fundraisers down here,” Geno explained. “I’ve donated rounds of golf for auctions, and it sounds silly, but people bid on it, and we always have a great time.”
Through his work with local organizations like the Jackson Baldwin Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club, Geno has been able to make a tangible difference in his community. Recently, at an auction for the Jackson Baldwin Foundation, Bonnalie said a businessman bid a large sum for a round of golf with him.
“I’m not home a lot, so those times that I am home and able to do something like this, it’s fun,” Bonnalie said.
As the 2025 golf season progresses, Bonnalie said his focus remains on helping Joel continue to improve while keeping his feet firmly planted in the values that have shaped his life.
With a solid start to the year, a top-10 finish at Torrey Pines, and the upcoming Players Championship, Bonnalie said he could not be more excited for the finish.
