The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1933-06-20

Johnny Goodman is the BOY. Az
, "a, after a battle that started with
the death of his mother, which lett
five smaller children on his hands,
Goodman, a poor boy playing the
rich mans game, has climbed golf s
pinnacle and refuses to cash IN
on his feat and turn professional
The act would probably net him
$4,000 in the next year.
After the death of his mother,
Johnny had the choice of either
working in meat packing house
with the rest of the 12-year- OldS
in his neighborhood or becoming d
golf caddie. He took the latter
job and started his long climb TO
fame.
Humble Start
The money he earned was no
small item those days, with five
brothers and sisters to help sup
port. He had no extra money to
buy equipment. He had to content
himself with an occasional old
club that came his way. Wth
this miscellaneous outfit he picked
up his golf.
In no time the boy from across
ha had beaten his way to-. golf
champion of the caddies. The city
and state pros began to notice him,
and gave him pointers now ana
then.
With a set of borrowed clubs,
Johnny entered the Omaha city
tournament in 1925 and won the
championship at the age of IL. His
career as a caddie had ended,$an
that as a golfer had started.
Then followed a series of state
and finally the Trans
Mississippi tournament at st Louis
in 1926. He bummed his way to
the tournament with two friends,
and shot good enough golf to win
through to the simi-finals. In
1927, Johnny and his two friends
hoped a freight train to play in
the Trans Mississippi again, this
time at Colorado Springs. His ride
on the freight was worthwhile, for
he won the tournament.
Johnny played in his old clothes,
Just as he was when he climbed
off the box car. The contest be-
tween him and the well-dresseu
golfers he beat earned for him and
his two pals the name "boX-car
trio"
The youth went up against jim
Ward, Kansas City millionaire, III
the finals. When he beat that per-
sonage, he was a hero. His old
clothes and battered clubs were
forgotten and he was welcomed as
an up-and-coming young golfer.
He Beat Bobby
Young Goodman's first ride on a
Pullman was in 1919 - and he
has every reason to remember that
ride, for it took him to Mamaro-
neck, N. Y. scene of the National
Amateur that year, the match In
which he was to realize the goal
of all golfers, amateur and profess
sional alike beat Bobby Jones.
Jones was his hero. For years he
had gathered clippings of the great
Bobby and followed, as much as
possible, the masters style of play
1t was his greatest thrill when he
defeated the southerner.
The philosophy of the youth is
Algeresque. His slogan, for in
SIdHCe, SOLSAStCht otaNy AAit,
and hard work are the foundation
of every successful effort"
Johnny could be world cham
pion, with the golf he shot in the
Open, If he had the money. But
he's a poor boy, and the cost OF
taking the trip to England to play
in the British Open anud British
Amateur are prohibitive to him.
He has chance to further his
American honors, however, when
the National Amateur rolls round
in September. Goodman is point
ing for this Cincinnati tournament,
and C. Ross Somerville, last years
amateur champ, to whom Good
man finished second, Francis Qui-
met, Johnny Fisher, and the rest
of the boys will find him hard to
beat,