Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-10
TO GREEN
Banter on the Practice Tee
By MERRELL WHlTTLEsEY

MAAGARoNEcK, NJ Y, JUNE lo-"The trouble with
you" Phil Rodgers telling Deane Beman yesterday,
lis that you swing like Ben Hogan"
The scene the practice tee at Winged Foot
where the National Open championship starts tomorrow.
Beman the British Amateur champion from Bethesda
Nd was hitting practice balls and Rodgers the pudgy
Marinebound California dissatisfied with the way
Beman was hitting. q
Rodgers is the 1858 National intercollegiate champion
En- route to the title he beat Beman, up in the second
round Some amateurs have great confidence in Rodgers
teaching ability. They think he's the greatest
What mean is that you're swinging fiat like Hogan
but you don't have his hand action" Rodgers told
Beman. They bantered back and forth Rodgers finally
dofed his street shoes and started hitting balls in his
stocking feet to show Beman what he meant.
N,,se s.% #+-
WHILE BEMANs cADDIE was bringing the balls in,
Rodgers walked away and of Deanes friends asked
If 1t wasn't dangerous taking lesson two days before
the Open Championship
1--WE been trying for year to get away from hitting
the ball with closed face" the 2l-year-od Beman said
"but I'm not going to accomplish it here today tomor
row. Phil knows what he's talking about But as far as
this tournament concerned I've already forgotten what
he said"
AL Jamson, the Goose Greek pro- here spectator
He asked Beman If he disturbed about the two 75s
he shot last Saturday in the Sunnehanna Invitation
Johnstown, Pa.
am tell you the truth" Deane replied IF had been
leading that tournament after Saturdays rounds
wouldn't have played Sunday. I was having fun, and
that's what went up there for. 1t may sound funny
but didn't want to win that tournament"
SOMEBODY ASKED BEMAN if he thought his Thurs
day and Friday pairing with Ben Hogan and Dick Mayer
good, or bad.
His reply was wonderful. How about those starting
times?" Beman answered. his face lighting up, 1885
Thursday and IL something Friday They're perfect"
Here is youngster with unforgettable treat, play
ing with the great Hogan in the Open championship and
his first reaction is about the starting time
About playing with Hogan, Beman believes it will
help his concentration. TtShoud keep sharp Deane
said I Offset that closed face by hitting through the
ball I'm sharp. If don't hit through the ball my shots
stray about 10 yards to the right Of the target That's
what Rodgers talking about"
Beman was standing under shade tree out of the
boiling sum- slipping cold drink Tommy Bolts cadde
dumped bag of practice balls few feet from Bemans
place, and the defending Open champion stroled up.
****
HOW ARE YOU DOING, Deane, old pard?" Bolt asked
hows everything? Do you have for old Tom to hit
q few, Deane?"
Bolt repeats name dozen times in simple
conversation.
Their meeting recalled an incident in the Eastern
Open In Baltimore just about year ago. Beman drew
Bolt playing partner in the third round There Beman
just another local amateur He walked up to Tommy
and said "Mr Bolt, I'm playing with you today"
Tom answered, That's fine son, you'll probably beat
me-"
Now Deane, the British Amateur champion, is cold
pard"
Beman forgot his own practice to watch in obvious
admiration Bolt hit number of long iron shots Bolt is
one of the finest swingers in the game
The man who wins this tournament is going to have
to know what he's doing these three and four iron
shots. How about It, Deane?" Bolt asked
BOLT POUNDED ONE long iron after another straight
and true to his caddie who Scarcely had to to
retrieve them.
George Fazo. the ex-woodmont pro- joined the group
See TEE TO GREEN, Page E.