Category: History
The sport of golf is over a thousand years old -- so old, in fact, that its origins are shrouded in mystery. The earliest written record of golf dates to 1497, when King James banned golf in Scotland because it interfered with archery practice. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews was formally recognized in 1754. Names from golf's history come easily to any fan of the game: from Old Tom Morris to Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and, of course, Arnold Palmer.
Who’s Billy Casper?
The first time that many people heard of Billy Casper was this last weekend when he shot a 106 at the Masters.
That’s unfortunate. Billy Casper was one of the best players of his generation, winning two US Opens, the Masters, and the Senior Open. He also won five Vardon trophies. From 1968 to 1970 he won more tournaments than Nicklaus, Palmer and Player combined. His total of 51 PGA victories places him 6th on the All-Time List (behind Snead, Nicklaus, Hogan, Palmer and Nelson).
An eight time Ryder Cup team member, he is, needless to say, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Given all of that, I think we should cut him some slack.
Hogan by Curt Sampson
When I’m not playing golf ... or writing about it ... I like to read about it (o.k., I’m obsessed).
One of the most interesting books I’ve in recent months is Hogan by Curt Sampson.
Hogan is a figure obscured by the fog of legend. Everyone knows of his relentless pursuit of perfection, of his reputation for coolness and of the devastating automobile crash.
But Sampson’s book sheds some light on Hogan’s personal life. He comes as close as I think anyone can to revealing the “real” Ben Hogan. Although Hogan gave few revealing interviews during his life, Sampson uses every resource at his disposal to explain his foibles and motivations. It could not have been an easy job, but Sampson has produced a very enjoyable read.
In the end, I found Ben Hogan to be a sympathetic and very human character—not at all like the more popular image of him as an unlikable “ice man.”
Tony Lema Retrospective
Today, only golf historians remember Tony Lema, the PGA Tour star who died in a plane crash in 1966.
But during the 1960s, there were few players who could match Champaigne Tony’s skills. From 1962 to 1966, he had 26 top 3 finishes.
John Berry of the Record-Bee has a nice column that will get you up to speed on this golf legend who died far too young.
Arnold Palmer Center For Golf History Announced
The USGA has just announced a new museum and project called the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History at Golf House. It will more than double the size of the USGA’s current museum. Palmer also apparently will spearhead the fundraising.
Palmer is certainly the only choice for a namesake for this museum. He created modern golf and has lived—participated in—its history.
Think about this: When Palmer first teed it up on the PGA tour, Eisenhower was president. West Germany had just joined NATO, and the Warsaw Pact was formed. Captain Kangaroo, Gunsmoke, The Honeymooners and the Mickey Mouse Club all made their debut. The “Ballad of Davy Crockett” was the number one record. The AFL and CIO had just merged. Mickey Mantle hit career homer number 100.
He played with Sneed and Hogan. And with Woods, Mickelson and Els (although admittedly not well). And with all the guys in between.
Its been said that whenever a PGA player cashes a check, he should send a piece of it as a royalty to Palmer.
I can’t wait to see the museum.
Remembering The Babe
'Babe' Didrickson Zaharias was one of the best female athletes of all time. And when she took up golf, she became perhaps the best female golfer of all time. Here's an article on her legacy and an exhibit in her honor.
