Who Finally Beat Byron Nelson? ⛳
George Low, America's Guest
George Low, Jr. is probably most remembered for the line of putters that carried his name. Jack Nicklaus wrote that he used a George Low Wizard 600 putter to win every one of his major championships except one (although I can think of "White Fang" at Baltusral and the oversized MacFregor Response ZT 615 putter he used to win the '86 Masters). In the late 1940s he contracted with Sportsman Golf to manufacturer the Wizard line of putters under the brand name Bristol before MacGregor picked up the manufacturing rights for the famous putters.
George Low also provided putting lessons to all the old pros including Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and Lee Trevino. This was easy to do because he attended almost every important PGA tournament. He was part of the regular group of business managers, club manufacturer reps and other characters who followed the tour. But he had to be the biggest character.
He actually played the tour with his biggest claim to fame being that he ended Byron Nelson's 11 tournament win streak. Actually, neither he nor Nelson won the Memphis Open; an amateur named Feddie Haas did, but George was top professional taking the first place money as low pro. He forever took credit for ending Nelson's streak.
But it was his ability, as Dan Jenkins wrote, to be able to live the high life without any apparent source of income, other than what he earned hustling on the putting green. He was able to have Ramada Inns provide him with rooms at no charge, even though he never had a problem finding someone to let him stay for a while in a spare bedroom. Cadillac gave him a car. He liked to say that he was a test pilot for FootJoy.
"I test their $65 alligator models to see if standing in them for long periods of time in a bar brings any serious harm and what effect spilling beer has on them.”
It's no wonder that Dan Jenkins called Low, "America's Guest".
This week's vintage ad is for Ben Hogan Apex irons from 1973.
Finally, we want to wish you all the best for 2021.Hopefully we will be able to get out and visit some new courses in the new year.
Enjoy!
Larry Baush
WHAT HOLE IS IT?
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Email to larry@9acespublishing.com
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2021 WHAT HOLE IS IT?
WALL CALENDAR
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