Dream week: First, a turn as Rickie Fowler's caddy, then playing in Rocket Mortgage pro-am

By the time Luke Maher got home Tuesday night, it was just past 11:30 p.m.

His exhaustion was paired with excitement. Earlier that evening, the Port Huron Northern senior had met and caddied for his golf idol, Rickie Fowler, in a celebrity scramble at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

But there was little time for rest. Because in less than six hours, Maher would return for the event's pro-am.

And he wouldn't be a spectator this time.

"As someone who's never gone to a PGA Tour event, this was a one-of-a-kind experience," said Maher, who played in the 18-hole exhibition at the Detroit Golf Club on Wednesday. "It was an honor to be able to do that."

Maher, who just finished his junior season on the Northern boys golf team, was paired up with basketball legend Chris Webber. The two had initially met Tuesday prior to the scramble. But it was a brief introduction among a crowd of people. So Wednesday's encounter was much more organic.

"It was sweet, especially as a fan of basketball," Maher said. "He's an unbelievable athlete. But he's also a great guy and really fun to talk to."

Their team also included professional golfers Webb Simpson and Jason Dufner.

"You're talking to everyone and you're getting to know everyone a little bit better," Maher said. "And the nervousness kind of goes away. I was able to get more comfortable with the people I was playing with."

His family and friends were there to support him, just as they'd done the day before.

"That made the experience a lot more enjoyable to have them come and watch me play," Maher said.

Always looking to improve, the senior carefully observed Simpson, Dufner and other professionals up close. He picked up on their techniques and strategies like never before.

"I got to compare my game to their game, realistically, off of real shots," Maher said. "It's completely different to look at something on TV and try to compare it to real life."

His time at the Rocket Mortgage Classic felt more like a dream than real life. Maher wasn't told until Monday night that he'd be attending the event.

"My favorite moment from the last few days would have to be a tie between meeting Rickie Fowler and getting to know that I was playing in the pro-am," Maher said. "Because I didn't imagine actually being able to play in it. It was a great experience and an honor to have."

The details about Fowler and Webber were a secret until the last minute. Literally.

"It was like five seconds after I found out I'd be talking to Rickie," Maher said. "(A representative from the Rocket Mortgage Classic) was asking if I was going to come back to watch the rest of the tournament. I was like, 'I've got some (shifts at work) that I'll have to work out, but I might be able to.' He said, 'Well, I'll hope you'll be able to make it tomorrow, because you're playing in the pro-am.' And I was just filled with excitement."

Once the round ended, Maher was finally able to catch his breath and take it all in.

"It was a good time to just be able to talk with my family," Maher said. "We watched other groups come in on the ninth hole. It was a good cap on the experience I had."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: PHN's Maher joins Chris Webber, Webb Simpson in Rocket Mortgage pro-am