Neil,
Thanks.
That's my dad on the left and Billy Bob Coffey from Dallas on the right.
Bing took a liking to my dad and arranged for him to take a screen test, which he did. He was all set to start his acting career in Hollywood when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
Three days later he was called to active duty and that was the end of his acting career.
Bing Crosby was so popular that the New York State Police had to use the bamboo poles, dew sweepers, to keep the crowd back. The Troopers each took an end and blocked anyone from getting too close to Bing. Bing Crosby used to invite my dad to his clambake, but, my father didn't have the money to make the trip. About 30 Year's later, my dad and I had just won the MGA Father-Son, and were going to the MGA golf writers dinner. Bing Crosby was being honored at that dinner. As we stepped into the elevator, who was there but Bing Crosby. It was a reunion, except it seemed like they had never been apart. Golf seems to form bonds that last a lifetime.
John Kirk,
I never indicated to anyone that my dad had played on the Walker cup. He played in numerous U.S. Amateurs, U.S. Opens and U.S. Senior Amateurs. The U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Mid-Amateur began long after his competitive days were over, although, he did shoot his age from age 67 to 79, which, I consider a wonderful athletic accomplishment.
John Kirk,
Lyons Hall was my sophomore residence hall.
I had a great room on the 4th floor.
My roommate, Jim Egan was a terrific fellow. Jim went into the Marine Corps after graduation and is still listed as missing in action. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong didn't take prisoners, they executed captured American personel, but for some reason the media NEVER reported that. Seeing Jane Fonda sitting on a triple A gun mount in North Vietnam was about as distasteful a display as I've ever seen.
Yet, if an enemy combatant detained in one of our prisons doesn't get his laundry and dry cleaning back in time the media goes ballistic.
Where were they when Jim Egan needed them ?
As to the assessment of my athletic ability, I could dunk with two hands, rebounded and shot well, could throw a baseball with speed and break, and throw and catch a football pretty well. But, I couldn't run the 100 in 10 seconds or under.
A man has to know his limitations.
Bob Burgfechtal, my freshman roommate from Marshalltown, Iowa taught me how to putt stiff wristed, which was a great help to my golf game. It wasn't until the summer of my Junior year when I left work every day at 5:00 and went and hit balls until dark, that my game elevated itself.
The first year I joined Pine Tree I was fortunate enough to win the club championship in a 36 hole match against a + 1, young, triathlete. I was 54 at the time. The match was played from the tips at 7,200+ and it was a windy day. I was 3 or 4 down with 9 to go and played one of the best nines I had ever played. I hit every fairway and every green and shot about 4 under and won 2 & 1. I won a few times after that, but, haven't played in a few years.
Michael Ryan,
Thanks for the kind words.
You know, the funny thing about that crazy shot I hit from the bunker is the following. My foursome was playing against the foursome in front of us for a few quid. Earlier in the round, on the 8th hole, I had a hole in one. On the 16th hole I imbeded my approach into the face of a bunker. The ball was almost invisible. I walked into the bunker with my trusty Tommy Armour IMGT putter and took my stance. My playing partners went ballistic, and asked me what I thought I was doing with their money. I told them not to worry.
I gripped the putter sideways, hit below the ball with an ascending blow and it ended up a foot from the hole.
They were amazed. They said that I must have practiced that shot a thousand times. I told them that that was the first time I ever attempted it. I told them that I couldn't sleep the night before, turned on the TV at 3:30 in the morning and found Chi Chi Rodriquez demonstrating the shot.
And, since the lie was similar, I decided to give it a try because I knew that I couldn't advance the ball in a traditional fashion.
On occassion, I've successfully executed that shot.
However, I"m now putting with the two bar RIFE putter and the only thing I can do in a bunker with that putter is shovel sand.
The round I'm proudest of occured in June of 2004.
I was invited to NGLA to play in their Invitational Tournament, which I had played in for many years, always competing in the regular division. My invite that year was more charitable than deserved. I had lost 70 pounds, all my strength, along with my balance and some vision. I was in the end stages of full dose chemotherapy and getting rather toxic, having previously had major surgery preceeded by chemotherapy seven days a week and radiation 5 days a week for about 3 months. Despite my condition, I accepted and claimed that I would be competitive.
I was forced to play in the Senior Division, something I've been in denial about for a number of years.
But, I managed to shoot the second low score in the Senior Division and I believe the 8th low score in all divisions. I think I shot two or three over par on a fairly windy day. My desire to compete overrode the hammering my body was taking.
It turned out that GOLF was the best medicine for me.
At the dinner that night the Tournament Chairman made a special toast to me which I'll never forget.
During chemo I couldn't walk 50 feet.
Two weeks after I was done, I was walking 36 holes a day.
But, it was my match with Ran at Sand Hills a year later that was the begining of my return to playing decent golf and regaining a voracious appetite. I"ve regained the 70 pounds and now ...... diet and exercise appear to be in my future.
Golf has been a integral part of my life.
I've met so many nice people from all over the country, all through golf. It was a great medicine and diversion.
And now that I've just made the critical 3 year mark with clean tests, I'm ready to play again.
Where is Ran when you need him ?
Geoff Childs was very helpful and supportive during my battle, as were many other friends I"ve met through GCA.com.
My new motto is: YOU CAN'T PLAY ENOUGH GOLF !
Take care of your family and business first, and then play as much golf as you can.
In all of the great number of days I spent at hospitals over the last three and a half years, I've never heard a patient claim that he should have spent more time in the office.
This isn't a dress rehersal.
Play more golf !