The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-01-02

M golf, no matter how
- many centuries you
,, may look back But
"i A''U MIC Eddie Lowery's part
in that championship also has an
interesting side which IN the main
has never been known.
LorUery's Story
81 was only 10 years old at the
time" Eddie said, with Ouimet lis
tening, "when my older brother and
I used to caddie for Francis. We
both played hockey the first day Of
the tournament. My brother cad
died for Francis while 1 followed
Vardon and Ray. That night our
mother said we both had to be at
school next day. My brother went
back to school, but i played hockey
again and carried Ouimet's bag. I
had to keep an eye on Ouimet's
bal-and also on the lookout for
truant officers, who were pretty
keen.
''I'n never forget the last three
holes of the last round Eddie con-
tinued. Francis had to play these
In 10 strokes, one under par, to get
a tie with Vardon and Ray, who
had already finished. On the short
sixteenth Francis had 20-foot putt
for a two. This seemed good
chance to 60 for that birdie. But
he was too bold, and the first putt
ran eight feet by the cup. But ne
holed that one for his three. On the
seventeenth he holed another IS or
20-footer for the needed birdie and
then through pouring rain got his
par four on the last hole which
resulted in the now famous triple
tie"
What Happened Later
"You can imagine how tremen-
douS was the excitement, Lowery
said. Few thought the 20-year-old
kid with the 10-year-old caddie had
even an outside chance against two
famous British golfers who had
played in so many British Opens. 4
good many of Ouimet's friends
thought I was too young and too
small to caddie In an event so i'm
portant They insisted on some old
er caddie, but Francis held out for
me-"
''I'n pick the story here for a
moment" Ouimet cut in Next
morning, a short while before the
match, Eddie came and got my bag.
You won't want to hit any prac-
tice shots, will you?' he asked, know
ing that seldom did. I said, No.
Eddie then said, III see you IN about
half an hour. Where are you going?'
I asked. We start IN a few min
utes.' III tell you later Eddie an
swered as he hustled away. As we
were all three ready to drive of I
looked around again and there was
Eddie.
Where have you been?' I asked
him.
al didn't want to bother you,'
he whispered, but I've been hiding
in that barn. There's a truant OFF,
Ger after me to take me back to
school so I had to keep out Of his
sight. And listen he said, you're
going to beat these two guys sure.
You just keep your eye on the bah
and I'll take care of everything
else.'
Lo,Uery Speaking
''As recall it." Eddie said, ''the
three were all even as they passed
the turn. I could see worried look
on the faces of both Vardon and
Ray. They had expected the In
experienced 20-year-old kid to crack
wide open. But here he was cooler
than ever. He didn't watch their
drives. He just kept playing his
own game. Then on the tenth hole
both Vardon and Ray took three
puts and Ouimet was out In front
''They all played fine golf the
next few holes, and then big Ted
Ray was the first to break up. This
left the battle between Francis and
the great Harry. And it was Var
don who finally couldn't stand the
strain and the fast pace any longer
as he, too, cracked and Francis
with a birdie picked up two more
strokes. The killing thrust.
Francis was still as cool and as
unruffied as if he had been playing
a dime Nassau with two old pals.
It was still raining and the course
was wet and soggy, but Ouimet's
drives continued to find the middle
His iron play was perfect and his
putter was smoking hot The two
veterans couldn't stand up against
that finishing "a under such condi-
tons, especially when they had
looked for certain runaway"
THAT must have been a big
thrill" I said to Lowery.
''It was a big thrill I've never for
gotten, and never Will" Eddie said.
Francis Ouimet nodded agreement
with a wide grin.
How many clubs did Ouinet
have In his bag that day." ! asked
Lowery.
.s0nly TO-" Eddie answered, "buf
he didn't use all these. He had a
brassie and a spo0n-no driver al
all. Six irons, mbliek and putter.
And that's all a real golfer who
can play variety of strokes needs
today. Why big Ray used that nib
lick of his from lie yards up to
short pitches. Both Vardon and
Quimet could play full or half shots
with the same club"