Evening star., 1949-10-25
Carpet t'sOut
ForWffyCox,
81 Thursday
By MerreII WhittIesey

Witty Cox, who was born within
a niblick shot of a golf course,
and who never has been more
than a niblick shot away from
one except for two years as a
sailor in World War I, will make
another stop on the banquet cir
cult Thursday night-this time as
guest Of honor.
WHY'S Congressional Country
Club members are tossing a SD
birthday party fdc their Brooklyn
born -and-bred golf professional.
They'd have to hold it in the
Union Station concourse If they
wanted to invite all WHY'S
friends. but this is just a semi
private little affair for the club
members, the District golf pros
and a few close friends of the
guy who often has been called
"the country's top golf pro-"
Except for another wrinkle and
maybe an added coat Of tan, Cox
hasn't changed in appearance
since the April day he moved
from Kenwood to Congressional
in 1888. He's still the photogenic
guy with the high forehead,
toothy laugh and - summer or
winter the ever present light
sweater
Rebuilt Congressional Club.
Cox left Congressional in the
spring of 1943 when the course
was taken over for an OSS train
ing base. and until the spring OF
1947 was pro at Hampstead, Long
Island. When he decided to move
back to Congressional he had
more offers than a star high
school halfback, but he wasn't
quitting Hampstead to go Job
hunting. He was coming back to
Congressional.
The club was a mess when
Witty returned. He didn't play
more than a half dozen rounds
of golf in year. He was green
keeper. landscape architect. gen.
eral manager, golf professional.
He ran the whole club and the
members loved it. Congressional
was prospering.
! Thursday night they're getting
around to showing their appreci-
alton. Witty was against the
whole thing. He didn't want any
party and. besides. he spends half
his evenings away from home now
as one of the most sought after
speakers in this section. But he
said he'd 60 for it under one con-
dition-that his assistants, Warm
er Gray and Jocko Miller, would
share in any gifts.
Minus Practice, Hits Record.
The only part of the golf game
Cox has neglected in the past
few years has been his own. He
played three days in a row last
week, probably the first time in
months. He never practices, but
with a swing grooved from many
years in high-pressure golf 1t
would be financial suicide to bet
him against par at his home club.
He'll beat it every time. Last
| spring three Of his woman club
members wanted him to 60 to In
dian Spring for a pro-lady tourn-
ament. Cox said no. he hadn't
played in six weeks. The links
women finally had their way and
what did he shoot?-63. for the
course record.
One Of WHY'S favorite stories
goes back almost 20 years ago
when he was the hottest article
in pro golf. He left Dyker Beach.
his club in Brooklyn. for the win
ter tour. Through California,
Mexico, Texas and Florida Witty
was winning or finishing we'll In
the money.
He won the richest tournament
held-at Aqua Caliente. won the
Texas Open. the pro-pro at Pine
hurst with Willie MacFarlane. he
clinched a Ryder Cup berth and
came of the tour as the years
leading money winner.
Didn't Know He'd Been Away.
He envisioned big welcome at
Dyker-banners, flowers, probably
a testimonial dinner. He was the
big man in golf.
After a quick stop at home.
Witty jumped in q cab and headed
for Dyker Beach. He leaped
from the cab on its arrival, walked
jauntily up the steps with his bag
full Of medals and trophies and
his pockets full Of cash. The first