Wow...what an afternoon!
As Joe mentioned, we were fortunate enough to spend the afternoon in the gracious company of a man we previously knew only as someone who caddied at Cobb's Creek in the 20s. I must admit that I didn't really know what to expect going in.
I'd really like to gather my thoughts and do justice to this story, because it was magical. Right now, I'm still decompressing.
Just a couple of quick notes. It turns out that "Tilly" not only knew Joe Coble, he was "his man", and his caddie for tournaments and outings at Cobb's Creek and other local courses, including private ones. He recounted what a "wonderful man" Coble was, and how he had a special affinity for, and popularity with "teaching the ladies", all said to me somewhat whispered with a mischievous smile.
He remembered the course in considerable detail, and showed us where you used to tee off on the long gone par three 14th over the creek, which was eliminated in the mid-20s. He told us about the restaurant that was located on the 15th hole, and how it was perfectly located for hungry and thirsty golfers and caddies during the round. He told us that the "good guys" would pay for their caddy's snacks, and how some others wouldn't. Joe assured him that not much has changed in that respect.
He was astounded at how the trees had grown, and how much thicker they were than in his day. He wouldn't make much of a GCA-er, however, as he thought the course looked much prettier with all of them there.
He marvelled at the condition of the greens...."like carpets", he called them, and said in his day grass on golf courses was much sparser and thinner.
I could go on, and probably will tomorrow when I have some dedicated time to think and write.
It's a bit difficult to take in meeting with someone who was born before the Titanic went down, who played and caddied at Cobb's Creek while Hugh Wilson and Ab Smith and Joe Coble were still alive, and who had the spry, genteel manner of an earlier era mixed with the spunky playfulness of a man being returned to his boyhood stomping grounds. I feel like I was just plopped down in "Field of Dreams", and watched a man transported in time.
Profound.
However...my step-son also recorded the entire meeting, and with Tilly's consent, is going to put together a 10-minute summary of our visit with Tilly, to be placed on YouTube in the next few days, so stay tuned.
