USGA Honors Arnold Palmer

photo credit: cliff1066   On September 10, 2009, Arnold Palmer celebrates his 80th birthday.  The USGA has created a ”digital memory book” that will allow all of Arnie’s fans to leave a birthday message or a personal note of congratulations in the form of a message, video or images.  You can submit yours at www.USGAmuseum.com/arnoldpalmer.  The best submissions will be included in a bound volume to be presented to the King.

This writer’s fondest memory of Arnie was during a PGA Tournament at the Canterbury Golf & Country Club in Beachwood, Ohio.  Standing near the fairway, Palmer’s drive came to rest directly in front of me.  When Arnie arrived at his ball he was only a few feet in front of me.  The thing I remember most about him was the size and strength of his hands and forearms.  Happy Birthday Arnie, thanks for all the wonderful memories!

Ken Venturi

photo credit: linein   Ken Venturi was born in San Francisco, California.  He gained national attention as an amateur in 1956 by coming in second in The Masters.   After leading since the first round he collapsed with a four shot lead.  Venturi, a pupil of Byron Nelson and playing partner with Ben Hogan,  won fourteen PGA Tour events.

After receiving injuries in a car accident in 1961, Venturi made a tremendous comeback culminating in his win at the U.S. Open Championship in 1964.  He started his broadcasting career with CBS Sports in 1967, which continued for 35 years.  A reporter once asked Venturi what made good sports commentary?  “Silence” Venturi said, “there is too much talking by commentators in today’s game, the action speaks for itself.”

The Amazing Journey of Scotty Robertson

photo credit: malpo90   As a golfer with a 40 handicap, Scotty Robertson’s future in golf looked grim until the day he made a monumental discovery, which is now referred to as ”The Robertson Grip.”  In his thirties and frustrated with his golf game, Robertson by accident, discovered his revolutionary grip that began his journey.  Going from a 40 handicap to a scratch player in less than a year, may seem miraculous to some but Robertson attributes it to his innovative grip.  During a recent round with this writer, his drives averaged 350 yds.

After more than a decade as a golf instructor and 10,000 students later, Scotty Robertson’s goal is to play on The Champions Tour.  According to Robertson, a Scottsdale, AZ. resident, it will take 3 months of preparation.  In the meantime, he is looking for investors and sponsors to assist him in achieving his goal.  To learn more go to: www.ScottyRobertson.com, e-mail ScottyRobertson@cox.net.

Bobby Jones

photo credit: japedi   Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers in history.  As a young man he practiced relentlessly and was greatly influenced by those around him.  Jones achieved the Grand Slam when he won the US. Amateur, US. Open, The Masters, The PGA and the British Open in the course of a single season.

Jones was continuously prodded to become a professional, however, he remained an amateur for the duration of his career.  Soon after his completion of the Grand Slam, Jones retired to his law practice becoming golf’s premier ambassador. 

Augusta National was purchased by several individuals, Jones being one of them.  The course was originally an apple orchard but was turned into one of the most beautiful courses in the world with the keen foresight of Jones.  Bobby Jones contracted a neuromuscular disease and died at an early age.

Arnold Palmer the King

photo credit: danperry.com     Why is Arnold Palmer referred to as “the king?”  Arnold Palmer did more for the game of golf than any other player in history.  In the late 1950s, throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s, he created one of the most enthusiastic followers in the history of sports.  They even had a nick-name called “Arnie’s Army.”  The number of fans following Palmer at any given tour event, was phenomenal. 

Arnie, as his fans called him, was one of the physically strongest players in golf history.  He could hit a driver right off the fairway and get the same distance as if using a tee.  He was also one of the great clutch players of all times, coming from far behind to win many tournaments.  He presently designs golf courses.

Fuzzy Zoeller

photo credit: robertstinnett   Fuzzy Zoeller was born in New Albany, Indiana and became a professional golfer in 1973.  The winner of two Majors, the 1979 Masters and the 1984 U.S. Open, Zoeller became embroiled in controversy after remarks he made about Tiger Woods after the 1997 Masters.

Zoeller, well known for his critical way of joking with colleagues, allegedly made off-handed remarks regarding Tiger Woods.  The remarks were in reference to “serving fried chicken and collard greens.”  Afterwards, K-Mart and Dunlop ceased sponsoring Zoeller.  He apologized to Woods and said “I have nothing but the utmost respect for Tiger as a person and an athlete.” 

Fuzzy Zoeller has two wins on the Champions Tour, the 2002 Senior PGA Championship and the 2004 MasterCard Championship.

Walter Hagen

photo credit: sashafatcat   Along with Byron Nelson and a few other top players of the day, Walter Hagen was ambidextrous.  He was so good that he Philadelphia Phillies once offered him a major league pitching  contract. 

During the 1929 British Open at Muirfield, Hagen’s ball came to rest against a stone wall.  After giving it plenty of thought, he simply turned the club on it’s toe, gripped it left handed and played the shot perfectly toward the green, to the delight and astonishment of the gallery.

During Prohibition, while playing in the British Open at Royal St. George’s he was introduced to a brand of Scotch that he particularly enjoyed.  Not being able to obtain the brand in the U.S., he decided to smuggle a bottle through New York customs in his winning trophy.

Sam Snead

photo credit: Philip Larson   Sam Snead, along with Ben Hogan and Bryon Nelson, was born in 1912.  He holds a career record of 152 worldwide tournament victories including 7 majors.  He never won a US. Open.

Snead was extremely frugal.  There were times when he would not pay his caddies.  “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t concede putts,” he once said.

He was the oldest player ever to win  a PGA Tour event at the age of 52 and the first player to shoot his age at 67 during the 1979 Quad Cities Open.  He also hold the record for PGA wins past the age of 40 with 17.

GOLF DIGEST ranks Snead as the third greatest player of all time.

David Feherty’s Golden Farrets

photo credit: danperry.com   It’s time to list a few of David Feherty’s (golf commentator) annual Golden Farret awards:  Player of the Year: Padraig Harrington who won three of the last 6 majors.  Comeback of the Year: Rocco Mediate for his US. Open playoff with T. Woods.  Shot of the Year: Tiger Woods’ putt on the 72nd hole of the US. Open.  Moonshine Award: Boo Weekly for his huge consumption of chewing tobacco.  Stupidest Quote Award: Bobby Clampett for saying, “The wind is blowing from 10 past three.”  Abe Lincoln Award: Woody Austin for hurling all over his shirt.  Player Most Likely to Marry a Porn Star Award: John Daly.  Rodeo Clown Award: Tim Herron (all he needs is a barrel around him).  Funniest Moment Award:  Vijay Singh winning the FedEx cup by finishing tied for 44th at the BMW before the tour championship was even played.

« Previous Page