......just a little perspective:
It was February 1985 when my boss and I discovered that the Walker Cup was going to be at Pine Valley in August. OMG! A chance to see Pine Valley, something I wanted since 1966 when I purchased my first golf architecture book: Sports Illustrated’s Best 18 Holes in America.
So we called the USGA and were told that the club itself would be handling tickets.
Ok, we promptly called Pine Valley and to our amazement were told we had to write the club and explain why we wanted to attend! Then, for a couple days we crafted our letter citing the history of the Walker Cup and Pine Valley and the virtues of amateur golf.
Satisfied we had done our best, we nervously sent off our letter hoping we had touched the right cords.
Well, months went by and we heard nothing. By June we were really concerned and decided to once again call Pine Valley. Yes, we were told, they had received our letter and the next step was to fill out an application which we received not long after.
Now, we were asked not only our contact information but also where we went to school and where we worked! Progress, I thought. I can say “Princeton”.....”Standard Oil”.....surely that has to be acceptable.
Well, I guess it was. Only one more hurdle: we had to send Pine Valley $10. We were absolutely thrilled!
Little did we know only about 2,000 people would attend and we could walk the fairways with the players.
And so it was we stood with Bob Lewis and his caddy on the final afternoon in the middle of the 16th fairway.
Lewis asked his caddy for the yardage. “185” the caddy quickly replied.
Not satisfied, Lewis asked: “Is it 185 or 185 1/2”. Again, the caddy quickly replied “185”.
Still not satisfied, Lewis asked for his yardage in the morning round. Once again the answer was “185” and the caddy pulled the 4 iron out of the bag, the club Lewis hit that morning.
“Put that back in the bag”, Lewis told his caddy. “I don’t want it on your conscience if we lose the Walker Cup”.
Lewis then grabbed his 5 iron taking water behind and to the right out of play. His shot came to rest about 3 feet from the pin effectively closing out the match and the Cup for the American team.
That letter, the application and our $10 were well worth it. Thank you, Pine Valley!