Skip to main content

THE PEAK AT PALM BEACH

Professional golf's arduous circuit was interrupted last week for a sort of pause for refreshment known as the Seminole Pro-Amateur. The scene, as it has been since 1937, was Palm Beach's beautiful, seagirt Seminole Country Club.

This is the rare tournament played more for fun than for rankings. For the amateurs, more distinguished for their drive in business than off the tee, it is the climax of the Palm Beach golf season; for the pros a relaxed tune-up for the Masters (see page 37). The Sneads, Hogans, Palmers, Souchaks and their prominent amateur partners challenged Seminole's length and sand, water and wind, in near-perfect weather. All had a good time, with the possible exception of Sam Snead, who seemed headed for first place and $1,000 until he bogeyed the last three holes. On the 17th his tee shot hit the green, then was scuttled into a sand trap by the wind gremlins. Snead finished seventh, won only $300, while Mike Souchak and Arnold Palmer shared first and $1,800.

Boston Textile Manufacturer Arthur Wellman and Dallas Oilman Kenneth Rich helped Palmer earn another $1,250 in the best-ball play.

Amateur Winner Arthur Wellman receives Jay O'Brien Trophy from Mrs. O'Brien as tournament's executive chairman, Chris Dunphy, looks on.

Pros And Ams in locker room converse include (foreground) Fred Hawkins; Phillip Turnbull, president of Rogers-Peet; Fred Kammer, Detroit auto man. Beyond are Earl E. T. Smith, former ambassador to Cuba; Ray Heffernan of Brown Shoe Co.; Donald Grant of Fahnestock & Co.; William Klopman, New York textile man; Jim Ferree; George Lyon of New Jersey; Jay Hebert; Vincent Draddy, New York clothing manufacturer; Lionel Hebert.

Off-Course assembly groups Alan Howard of New York, publisher of Social Spectator magazine; Mrs. Sally Richardson, Palm Beach socialite, in fashionable tapered trousers; Fred Hammer, Palm Beach race horse owner.

THREE PHOTOS

RICHARD MEEK