Evening star., 1961-03-29
WIN, LOSE OR
DKAW By FRANCIS s1Ann
Palmer and the Masters

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA, MAR 29-Leaving in
their wake some of the most mpausble shot-making in
history the pro golfers about to begin the on
Augusta Ga for the Masters And they speculate the
name ofArnod Palmer invariably brought up first as the
man to beat
For example Ted Krol talking the new Tamsrac
Country Club you almost have to start with Palmer"
said the stocky little pro who in 1855 won more money in
single year than any golfer in history up to that time
so many Of the fellows playing we-Bob Goalby Sam
snead Gary Player Ken Ventura, Jay Heber-that it's
tougn 70 put finger on probable favorite much less
pick winner.
"Yet Palmer has so much going for him that I've got
70 look at him as the 70 beat Arnods got everything
youth plus experience, physical condition and great
fighting spirit"
"And what about Ted Krol?" the visitor asked.
I could win 1t, too," Ted replied solemny IT haven't
neen winning but I've been playing very well I'm about
due to pop up in big one"
BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATING how tough 1t is to take
down big purse these days. Kroll fired 264 in the ST.
Petersburg Openhe equivalent of successive rounds
OF 66and finished second GoaIby won with fantastic
ISL the lowest fourround since Mike Souchak scored
256 In the 1855 Texas Open During his final round Goaby
bagged eight straight brides
"Goalby is real sharp" Krol attested "but he's not
the only guy his stick Gary Player who is still Just
KID is tremendous competitor Ventura always hard to
beat in the Masters.
"one Of Goalbys rounds at ST. Pete was record g."
Kro related "The other day. warming UP for the Sun
shine Open at Miami Beach, Snead had nine -under-par
IS IN the pro-am shot SO and lucky to win $S571"
nrou aumlLS tnaL ne doesn't nave the big game OF
some colleagues BY big game he means that he doesn't
hit with Snead and Palmer and that certain
the Masters being Of the-he normally doesn't putt as
well as Art WALL Billy Casper snead, Ben Hogan and Cary
Mddecoff.
"snead will outdrive me by 30 or 10 yards" Ted ad-
mtted although Sam doesn't hit quite as far as he once
did As for putting the Masters green's are lightning fast
and full of valleys don't mind the fast flat green's but
there are other players like WALL Casper Snead Hogan
and Mddlecof who have better touches on greens like
Augustus
"SNEAD STILL IS the very underrated putter isn't
hep Kroll asked Ted slipped his coffee and nodded
Hes always been of the best" he said 'Te only
times he's ever putted badly in the Opens Sam made
couple OF bad ones at ST. Louis and Merton and he
branded"
This neck of the woods is ringed by fine golf courses
many Of them new Any errant wood shot is apt to hit
bg-name pro on the noggn, including Julius Boros Lew
Worsnam, Snead and Palmer who is vice president and
pro Of the Country Club Miami OF the group only
Worsham plays sparingly in tournaments
Lew is hitting the ball very WELL" Krol said of the
longtime Washington favoe "but you've got to play in
every tournament to bring off the Masters When you pick
your spots don't make many bad shots as when you
play em all, but you don't make the excellent Shots
either"
Kro, who is Al now is right about his own game being
good He went into payoff for the Dallas Open in Sep
tember finished third in the Coral Gables Open second
in the ST. Pete and at time led the Angeles San
francisco and Crosby Opens.
BUT GOLF PROS with the skill and experience of Kroll
learn to have patience. They realize that when Lloyd
Manrum or Hogan begins to fade six other guys will step
up to share the wealth.
TITS tough business" Ted cautioned "I haven't won
anything big since 56 Somehow that my year. won
the World in Chicago the Houston Open the Celebrities
washington and did we'll in others 1t would be nice"
unused, ito win Masters With little bit of luck and
lot OF consistency just might
But Palmer is the fellow to watch He's strong
oVer tighter and the boldeSt guteSt shooter Of all
The rest of US see pin in bad spot like the edge
OF trap and we play for the middle of the green Arnold
nS every ball for the cup matter where he's lying
guest overheard the last part of Teds statement and
walked up you talking about Pamer?" he asked
sariy. Don't forget, he's pretty lucky too"
yeah he's lucky" Kroll said Hes lucky he's that
good"
49,