Rolling around the country in his 1978 Winnebago, Dennis Cone is a man on a mission.

Starting today his mission is to find the best caddie in America.

But that is just a sideshow to his original mission, one he has been on for the last seven years – doing the best he can for the caddies of the world.

And Cone, who is as driven as any golf ball off a tee, has solidified his mission in the last three years with the organization of the Professional Caddies Association Worldwide.

"Literally, it’s been a seven-year labor of love," Cone said Monday at the U.S. Open. "I feel like a missionary."

Seven years after starting to think about it, and three years after Cone founded the PCA, the organization is starting to gain recognition. The PCA is sponsoring the Francis Ouimet statue at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., and it was announced at the PGA Merchandise Show in 1999 that the PGA and PCA were combining to promote a line of clothes.

He’s in Pinehurst to announce the latest project undertaken by the PCA Worldwide. The organization is looking for the best caddie in the world. Anyone can nominate a caddie, club or tour, for the award. A committee will select the winner from among the nominees.

But that announcement is just Cone’s business here today. Cone’s real business is promoting a better life for caddies.

He is also handing out a benefit package to caddies while in Pinehurst.

"We’re using this as a launching pad," he said. "After three years we actually have a benefit package together for our members and those that want to join."

The package doesn’t include a major medical package, Cone said, but they are working on it.

Bryan Pool, who works for CaddieMaster Enterprises, is the caddie master at Pinehurst. The caddies at Pinehurst are CaddieMaster Enterprises employees, and Pool said his company is studying combining with PCA in terms of getting better group insurance rates.

"We’re not totally committed yet, but we like what they’re trying to do," Pool said. "They’re (PCA) trying to do the right thing."

Laura Drumm, president of the PCA, has brought the right thing to the organization with her background in finance, Cone said.

"I can’t say enough about what she has done for us," Cone said. "She has brought a financial package together for us."

Other things are also coming together for the PCA, Cone said.

"One of the key things is the PGA Tour has come on board to help us, and support our effort," he said.

But even with the support of the PGA and other organizations, Cone is not just intent on improving the security offered caddies. He also wants to see the return of the caddie to the mainstream of golf – at the club level, and not just on tour.

"Money has made it more of a profession," Cone said. "We’re trying to keep alive the tradition of caddies.

"A new caddie coming up now is more involved in the game. Not just raking traps and carrying a bag. We want to train them to be like a tour caddie, but take it to another level, just like the game of golf has gone to another level."

The training program is a three-phase process. The potential caddie will go through an apprenticeship before entering the certification phase of the program. Lastly, the candidate will graduate from the program.

But after graduating from the three-prong course, Cone doesn’t think a caddie’s training is done.

Cone relates a quote from Mark O’Meara concerning caddies. ‘"I don’t mind paying a caddie, as long as he is working to improve as hard as I am working to improve.’ That’s how O’Meara put it," Cone said. "A caddie can always use additional training."

Cone, a self-professed caddieholic, carried a bag for PGA pro Donnie Hammond "as a friend" several times in 1990 and 1991.

"While I was carrying the bag for Donnie I realized the need for some kind of security for the caddies," Cone said. "It’s a subculture all its own. It’s like a big family out there"

So Cone and his Winnebago ("just like in Tin Cup," Cone said) will continue to travel promoting the PGA.

His stop in Pinehurst is just one on the road of his mission to improve life for the caddies in the world.