The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-31

north west and south. There are Sox
men in the Nelson famIy-aU follow
the golf profession-and all are ex-
ceptonal players and popular instruc-
tors.
Topeka golf enthusiasts are espec-
tally appreciative of their member or
the family. Nelson is finishing his
second season here and if the senti-
ment of the club guides future actions
he will remain here until some other
city bids too high.
The first member of the family to
take up the game was Lee. Zee start
ed his caddy days on the old Riverside
course in indianapolis. He was caddy-
master for Bob Fullerton of Topeka
when the latter was pro at Indianap-
oils. Fullerton recognized the abillty
in the youngster and taught MN the
game. Lee Sneaked out to the cluD
one day with a full set Of left handed
clubs He played with them consist
emily until Fullerton discovered the
boys tactics. One by one he took the
clubs from the bag and broke them
over his knee Now" said Fuller
ton, you take some right handed
clubs and learn to play golf 1t Is
well known rule that left handlers 90
aot make scratch golfers and ruler
ton was not going to allow his favor
tie to start on the wrong track Lees
first job as professional was at the age
of Is on the Riverside course. he
then took over the Highland ciub anu
later the Indianapolis Country cruz:
From there he went to the Mann
Beach off club in Florida, where ne. Is
located today. Lee is 36 years OF age,
When Lee Nelson left the RIVERSIDE
club of Indianapolis he had IofeslSdC
enough to see that the development OF
his brother Wallace was sufficient 10
make possible a family successor
wallace was caddying at RlVerslde
when E'0lierton was IN charge ne
won several dozen balls one DAY Whe1
Fullerton, who had refused TO play on
Sunday Working in the shop undeF
his older brother, Wallace had learned
the club game as well as the game on
the fairway The Riverside club was
determined TO keep a Nelson IN charge
some vvav or other so Wallace was CIV
en- the position as professional VA
lace spent three years at riverside
three years at Beaumont, rex, three
years at Muncie. Ind. and IS now 10
Gated at the Highland club in 1nolah-
apoIis 1t looked for awhile as II the
family string was to be broken when
Lee left Indiana polls because Wallace
was all wrapped up in baseball wal
lace is 81 years of age He became
chester was the third brother to
enter the game. He played amateur
golf and made quite a-recOrd between
the ages of II and IS Then the can
of the elder brothers was heard ana a.
the age of IS he became a proIessloIial
a. Batt1e creek. From there he went
to Oklahoma City. then back to Dan
vile. Ill, where he is located this sea-
son. Chester is 81 years OF age; FOL-
Chick was the fourth son. lie tol-
lowed Lee and Wallace at Riverside
Indianapolis. He was 20 at that time
When Lee lweft the indianapolis
b Country club. Chick took that posi-
ton Then he became professional at
Ko1omo, Ind, where ne located
nov. Chick is rs years of age.
Dick, the fifth in the golf chain,
first joined his brother Chester at
Oklahoma City When only - years
old he was called to Danville, H.
where he was made professional. He
was at Danville three years and joined
the army and fought another game
there for two years. lie returned TO
Danville after war was over ana last
winter Joined Lee at Miami lie Is
now professional at the Bay Shore
club, Miami. He and Lee are pros at
the only two clubs in Miami. Dick
is 25 years of age.
There was only one son left to fol-
low the footsteps down the golf fair
way. That was Erwin. When only II
years old he entered the shop with
his brother Lee in indianapolis on the
Highland course. Here he whipped
into shape and soon could play his
older brothers to a standstill When
he was wears old he went to Okla
homa city and joined his brother
Chester He played golf, worked in
the shop, and finished his high school
course in Oklahoma City. Then he
returned to Indianapolis. He was
was made professional at the age OF
is in KokOmo, Ind. He spent one
year at Kokomo, then went TO Munice.
After a year there he joined Chester
again at Wichita. While at Wichita
Erwin taught golf al Dodge City. Enid,
Winfield, Arkansas City and Wichita.
Il, IL E,fer
and spent eight months at this work.
He went from Wichita to INDIANAPOLIS
again and later to Miami, Fla. In
Aprik 1919, he came to Topeka. E.
r. Nelson is % years of age.
Who plays the best game?
That's a pretty tickIish question
but Erwin is not a bit backward about
answering it. He admits that Wallace
has a little the edge on the rest OF
the family. A family tournament
never has beenshe1d but it is sched-
uled some winter in Miami% Last
winter the six brothers were together
for the first time in six years at Mi
ami The accompany photograph was
taken at that time.
Topeka" Nelson is a finished in
structOr. He has an uncanny way OF
allowing the player to hit ball after
ball and then when the pupil thinks
he has created a wonderful impress
sion due to the silence on the part of
the pro, the latter begins his ava
lanche of criticism and suggestion.
Nelson is a great believer in the
natural form game. Ell thinks a play
er should fall naturally into a COM
Portable form before he is ready for
finished instruction. Then he makes
his suggestions in stance and grip and
details. He seldom changes the player
from hic most easily played game
His instruction develops rather thar
'brea ks
The Topeka pro is a thoro gentle
man He is quiet and unassuming
and wallops a forcefu1 game. He is
small in Stature but when his wrists.
AIMS, shoulders and body unwind the
bail is due for a sweet flight
Pro Nelson gives one day a week
to iustVr ction at the Shawnee club.
The res tot the time he spends win
his fome course, the Country ciIio.
Ea Is tr,cs rrc,r,as-, q, 4