Evening star., 1963-02-09
SEGEL AT LARGE
Bemun Enthuses
About NickIuus
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

IT'S UNLIKELY THAT Arnold Palmer will be most
remembered the first golfer consistently Clipped
ball through the rear window Of Mercury. At best
this might him much as an aserisk In the links
record books.
His other accomplishments are far too memorable
But his days the foremost practitioner Of his
numbered. within the next two years." Deane Beman
prophesied Jack Nickaus will surpass everything Palmer
has ever done"
The question proposed to the Little Champ wasn't
Nicklaus Palmer but Nickaus Gary Player. Wasn't
1t Just unbelievable for Nckaus to Player by
strokes in their recent payof 1t for the Bears
to crush the Redskins 1910?
1T wasn't routine" Beman smiled, "but expected
Jack to win. Player was dead from the moment they
stepped on the tee"
MENTION NICKLAUs AND Beman warns to the
subject Next to Nicklaus and his immediate family,
Beman unqueStionably is the foremost authority the
Blond Better. They contemporary amateurs and
closer friends tnat Ncklaus has converted
his hobby into profitable business.
"The advantage all Jacks" Beman continued
He hasn't been out Of the amateurs long enough to
forget the experience he picked in headohead COM
petition. Most amateur tournaments are match play,
head You don't have the whole field to contend
with just the fellow you're playing That's why felt
confident Jack would win"
There reasons other than the experiences of
his amateur days initiating favor Of Ncklaus victory
in the $4,000 Palm Springs Classic They were all physical
ITS FRUSTRATING" BEMAN sighed, Ito have
guy outht you by so yards every hole Player also
had to contend with that Player is an adequate hitter
but adequate isn't good enough in faceoface copeti-
tion with Jack.
Its the equivalent of a pro playing against
pro- She may win once, but don't count on it."
Beman's evaluation of Ncklaus doesn't come from
hearsay They were Walker Cuppers together and also
fellow competitors in the National Amateur Deanes in
innate, personal knowledge Of Nckaus came the hard
way. He played him twice in head-to-head competition
and both times the pleasure was Jacks
Neither time NicklauS' margin Beman
where his whoppng rout Of Player but each time
1t was convincing Ncklaus decisioned Beman in Mime
apols in 1858 in the final round Of the TRANSMITS and
two years later in the Colonial Amateur at Memphis
I'm THE LAST SEVERAL years Palmer has been
utterly fantastic hasn't hep" Beman asked. In no dis
respect to Arne, Jack will be better"
This naturally required reasoning and Beman's ex-
PLANTATION wasn't long coming For one thing" Beman
began the subject Jack strikes the ball more sodly
with more consistency.
Jack doesn't hit as many bad shots as Palmer Arne
is undoubtedly the greatest bad player golf has ever known
What mean is he well badly played round.
He'll play badly and still hit the green.
"Not Jack. He's a better manager of shots. Funda-
mentally, he's better player than Arne. Palmer is
outwardly fierce competitor He's all heart. Jack is,
too but with better shots.
take any top-flight player" Beman continued "and
he's really only sharp few times during the year. When
Palmer sharp he makes for with his strength
and determination He often scores well when he's really
not playing we'll
"Ncklaus is more consistent He's not spectacular
as Palmer, but who is?"
ON THE INCOMING NINE of his bubbly conversation,
Beman switched from the artistic differences OF golts
premier players to their financial smilaritieS
Here's where they on common grounds" he said
along with Player they all have the same fellow, Mark
Mccormick managing their careers. They have no money
worries. Mccormick takes care Of that end OF their
business.
Their minds are free to concentrate on golf. They
know they are going to make money being managed as
expertly they are their success Is guaranteed
One final question for the Little Champ. Had he
ever experienced anything like Dave Hill went through
with that is the 18th hole at Phoenix the other day?
Il can't think Of It," he answered, which means
never did, because that's something you'll never forget
Hill shoots 8e and is 10 shots back of the leader after
only round They don't have enough holes left in that
tournament for him to catch up.
1T remember a tournament where was down after
the first two holes and somebody asked me how felt
TO be 2 down. II I've got TO be down can't think
Of better place TO be down. answered"