Golf: Red, White
and Blue by Bill Hogan
This week, Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma plays
host to golf's United States Open. That's OUR NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP!
American players use words like pride, patriotism and
honor to describe the feeling they have when competing
in this historical event.
American sportsfans use words like pride, patriotism
and honor to describe the feeling they have when witnessing
this historical event.
It just seems like there is more on the line when there
is Red, White and Blue involved. Like a Ryder Cup match
or watching John McEnroe get excited about playing Bolivia
in tennis' Davis Cup.
There is no shortage of heroism when it comes to the
history of the U.S. Open. In 1950, less than a year
after a near fatal car crash left Ben Hogan suffering
from a crushed left leg and fractures to his ribs, collar
bone and pelvis, the gallery at the Merion Golf Club
in Pennsylvania witnessed one of those heroic moments.
After staggering around the course that final day for
thirty-six holes on wounded legs, it seemed improbable
that Hogan could be tied for the lead. What was more
improbable was Hogan winning the Open the next day after
eighteen extra holes. Heroic. Similar heroics were displayed
in 1964 at the Congressional C.C. in Bethesda, Maryland.
Ken Venturi, suffering from exhaustion, dehydration
and heat prostration, summoned the will and the strength
to complete the thirty-six hole final round and earn
a four stroke victory.
(After 1964, the USGA wisely decided to eliminate the
thirty-six hole final round.)
I've been reading a lot about Tommy Bolt the last few
days. Bolt won the first U.S Open played at Southern
Hills in 1958. What a character!
He was known on tour as "Terrible" Tommy and
mid-round temper tantrums were the norm. He must have
kept a few golf club makers in business as well because,
to read about it, it seems there was always a bent or
broken shaft in his bag at the end of the day.
Today's sportswriters would probably label him a brat.
Forty-three years ago, he was called a "colorful
character". That was the "colorful" side
of Southern Hills. There was also a seedy side.
1977 U.S. Open winner Hubert Green had to play under
the cloud of a death threat (taken seriously enough
to involve the F.B.I.).
In 1981, a mob assassin's .38 caliber bullet ended the
life of businessman Roger Wheeler in the parking lot
of the prestigious country club. (You can read more
about this at www.golfdigest.com).
In 2001, Southern Hills will again be center stage for
America's Championship, and again, history may be in
the making as Tiger goes for his fifth consecutive major.
(You can read more about that in any sports magazine,
newspaper or website in the country!).
As an occasional betting man, I have to agree with Tiger
who recently conceded that an even money bet on a golfer
is not a smart business decision. Even Tiger is only
a couple of bad shots away from being beaten. I think
the bookmakers are selling a lot of talented golfers
short.
Heck, the three-time defending World Series Champion
Yankees are 3-2 to win the American League Pennant.
If Tiger has a couple of bad days, he's done. If Paul
O'Neil or Derek Jeter have a few bad games, the Yanks
can still win. (Of course, the big question is, will
Tiger ever have a couple of bad days in a major tournament).
Then there's the "what if's" that can spell
doom for the worlds greatest golfer:
What if Fred Couples ever decided to take his golf game
seriously again. Have you ever seen a more laid back
competitor?
What if Phil Mickelson or David Duval show up in Tulsa
with the nerve (guts?) of Hal Sutton - they might actually
be able to compete with the Tiger on Sunday. What if
Colin Montgomerie decides to wear ear plugs. Every one
knows that it would take only one beer-soaked Okie behind
the green chanting U-S-A while "Monty" lines
up his putt to send him reeling back "across the
pond".
What if the USGA, in an attempt to make things less
predictable, allowed some to the "weaker"
players to team up?
What do you get if you combine Chris Anderson with Willie
Wood? Four-time U.S. Open Champion Willie Anderson!
(Anderson won the Open in 1901 and then an unprecedented
three-peat from 1903-1905). If you could cross Michael
Campbell with Pete Jordan you'd have a golfer with the
heart of a true champion. (I'm not going to explain
the reference, just think basketball).
The media is treating this Open like it's already been
played and the winner decided. Kind of like, recording
the big game because you have to work, then going the
whole day trying to avoid hearing the results. You go
home and pop the tape in the VCR, but it's not nearly
as exciting because you know, no matter how hard you
root, the outcome has already been decided.
A fifth straight major would be incredible and historical.
But, what if…
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