Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-10

NickIuus Is No. l
In Bemon's Book
By MORRIS SIEGEL

THE WAY DEANE BEMAN sizes up the field there is
only opponent with much outside chance Of
roadbocng the Jack Nckaus runaway Internal Revenue
Service.
Beman even doubts If that formidable foe conqueror
of Joe Louis and other ttans is equal to the task I'm
NckauS is managing his money well he manages
his golf game" Beman suggested in voice indicating he
knows his subject we'll
Bemans esteem for Nickaus as the master SHOEMAKER
Of time has been documented here before 1t began
long before Nckaus awarded the green coat door
prize for drawing the winning number, 28s, at Augusta
Sunday.
an another year So" Beman predicted several
months ago. Jack will have doubled everything Arnie
Palmer has done" Nckaus showing in the Masters did
nothing to disturb Bemans unyieding faith in Jacks
destiny as super golfer
Personality wise" the former United States and
British Amateur Said "s no match Armies got it.
Compared to him. Jack is dead fish On the golf course,
It's Ncklsus He's got the sounder game"
NICKLAUS EMERGENCE as the new kingpin of golf
DOM territory ruled by Palmer until Ncklaus decided
to stake out his claim Fort Knox Is months be
traced to Jacks early years
Jack never wanted for anything" Beman continued.
His family isn't extremely wealthy, but comfortable.
When Jack decided there nothing else in this world
for him except golf he got the opportunity to play under
proper conditions He never has had to struggle"
This is big plus an say" Beman agreed. 1T enabled
him only thing: Becoming the best
golf player in the world"
Secure from the beginning, Nickaus thus has
known what 1t is like to be havenot Beman went on.
"As result, the pressure doesn't bother him today
Here's young guy with the bee his back in every
Jack couldn't less He plays methodicay,
slowly and with determination Nobody going TO change
him. The pressure doesn't bother him. He keeps level
head And when he brings that club back just bet
he's got everything figured out Otherwise he wouldn't be
swinging"
BEMAN AND NICKLAUS played hundreds Of rounds
together in the amateurs but oddly enough met only twice
In ead-to-head competition He licked me both times,
Beman recalled And he beat me on the green's, where
I'm supposed to be strongest"
Despite his admiration for the 23-year-old terror
Of the fairways, Beman, his senior by year, has
personal reservation about his pal 1--WE never become
resigned TO the fact that he's better than am Deane
laughed. Imagine that"
The last time Beman was in the field with
Nckaus in the National Open last year at oakmont
Nckaus beat all the pros including Palmer in the payoff
Beman upheld his end Of the show-he low amateur
The next time they meet will be at Brookne In June
again in the Open. Nckaus the defending champion, is
automatic qualifer Deane must fight his way into the
36hoe qualifying test at Congressional
June 10. Therein lies another story.
THE CONGRESSIONAL COURSE won't be at all foreign
TO the bantam Beman. He's Of the newest members
there He joined for several being that the
1864 National Open will be contested at Bemans club
Beman hasn't played round OF tournament golf since
he shot record -equang SO In the final round OF the
World Amateur in Japan last October He doubts II he's
played dozen rounds Of any kind Of golf since then
He's been too busy In his thriving insurance business
10 do much except think about the game "And think I'm
better player than was, he said Maybe I'm Just
thinking better. don't know. Wen see."
He passed up the Masters, something he hated TO do
His disposition and determination had much 70 do with
his reluctant decision his business Beman eternal
opmst with burning confidence Floyd Patterson should
borrow TO carry in the ring against Sonny Liston
Not having played In months Beman wasn't In shape
10 play at almost sacred Augusta Just TO be on the first
tee and hear my announced isn't enough for me-" he
said II give myself chance TO win or else don't play