19TH HOLE: THE READERS TAKE OVER
MARR-TYR
Sirs:
It is a darn shame that when a golfer such as Dave Marr wins the PGA Championship, one of the four major tournaments in the world, he is lucky to even get his name in your magazine. But Arnold Palmer can be the biggest flop in the tournament, not shoot even one round under par, and he gets a write-up like he just won the Grand Slam, with no less than five photos of himself (Diary of a Career in Turmoil, Aug. 23). Come on, now!
ROBERT CURTIS
Middletown, Ohio
Sirs:
On Sunday, Aug. 15 I watched a very fine golfer play a very exciting round of golf to win the PGA Championship. His name is Dave Marr, and he is a talented, well-liked young man who has done a lot for golf. I am most happy I was able to see the telecast, for, since his victory, there has been little written about Dave Marr and his four fine rounds of golf—but there has been lots and lots written about why Arnold Palmer did not win the tournament! The hazards of being host pro at a tournament played on home-town grounds have been experienced by a lot of our pros, who somehow managed to overcome the distractions of visiting friends and go out and shoot respectable rounds—even win.
ANITA THOMAS
Fort Worth
Sirs:
Palmer played dismally. Dave Marr beat the giants of the golf game. In addition, he has been serving as chairman of the PGA tournament committee, which was also time-consuming and did not allow enough time for proper practice. Marr played good, like a champion should.
JAMES M. KAUFMANN
Norristown, Pa.
Sirs:
I think it is time people of the press realized that Arnold Palmer is nearing the end of a career that was sparked by flashes of greatness. He certainly showed this at the PGA. Arnie is a great golfer, but why not cover the victor, Dave Marr?
ROBERT W. GUNDECK
Bryam, Conn.
•For a closer look at the new PGA champion, see page 50.—ED.
Sirs:
Your article was very good. Arnold Palmer is just having an off year. About this time next year no one will be saying he should retire from the pro tour; instead, everyone will again be referring to him as the king of golf. Last year everyone was writing off Eddie Mathews, but now he is leading the Braves' surge for the pennant. Two years ago Lenny Moore had a disappointing season, but last year he led the Baltimore Colts to the division title. Most great athletes have a troubled or off year, but they face up to it and come back. Arnold Palmer will be no different. He is still the king of golf in my opinion and always will be the best golfer of the era.
MIKE SPRENGER
Bloomington, Ind.
HOT-AIR LEAGUE
Sirs:
Last year I was quite upset when I read an article in your magazine stating that Pennsylvania high school football was better than Texas football (Beef, Bones and Hershey Bars, Aug. 10, 1964). At the time of this game last year there was also a football coaching school going on in Texas, and the boys playing at the coaching school were not permitted to go to Pennsylvania. I'll admit that Texas did send a good team, but some players, such as Warren McVea, were not there. As a result, Texas lost and really should not have been compared to Pennsylvania as it was.
This year boys from Texas were permitted to play in both the coaching-school game and in the game against Pennsylvania (Texas Teeners Strike Back, Aug. 23). As you say, Texas really whipped them good—and by a margin so large that no one can dispute me when I say that Texas plays the best football.
JOHN C. MILLER
Mission, Texas
Sirs:
After reading your article on this year's Penn-Texas football game, I am inclined to say that Pennsylvania football is still the best in the country. Sure, Pennsylvania lost the game, but the Big 33 didn't come up with an excuse like the Texans did last year.
The western Pennsylvania region produces some of the best football players in the country. The real test will come next year, so the Texans had better bring everybody they can get.
DAVID MARSICO
Pittsburgh
Sirs:
"Which state, Texas or Pennsylvania, grows the best high school football players?" The answer is simple: Neither one. Ohio grows the best, and I have two pieces of evidence to back up my feelings. Item No. 1: Recall if you will the starting quarterbacks in the College All-Star game. Of the four possible starters two were former Ohio schoolboys, Roger Staubach and Bob Timberlake. Item No. 2: This year's Rose Bowl game winner, Michigan, had a starting 11 that consisted mainly of Ohioans, including Jim Detwiler, Timberlake, Carl Ward and Rick Volk. If this isn't enough just check the growing list of pros who are former Ohio schoolboys.
DAN ELSASS
Bowling Green, Ohio
Sirs:
Until I read your article on high school football I had always thought that there were 50 states in the Union. Now I find that there are only two, Pennsylvania and Texas. Granted, fine football is played in these two states, but that does not rule out 48 others in the competition for best high school football honors.
When the top 20 teams in the nation were ranked last winter, the top three were not from Pennsylvania or Texas, but from such places as Coral Gables, Fla., Massillon, Ohio and Montclair, N.J.
The next time Pennsylvania and Texas want to compete for the best football in the country, tell them to stop by some of the underpublicized states in the Union and play such powerhouses as Canton and Massillon in Ohio, Montclair, Clifton and East Orange in New Jersey or Coral Gables in Florida. We'll make them eat those apples and pecans, highly peppered with hot air.
CHUCK ARMING
Upper Montclair, N.J.
NO FISHING
Sirs:
Having just read your article on the long drought in the Northeast, particularly the Catskills, I couldn"t help but note that those bonehead conservation experts are at it again (A Dry Silence in the Northeast, Aug. 9).
It has been my experience that grouse do not do well in droughts. Ask any grouse hunter. For one thing, the time when a farmer cuts his hay has absolutely nothing to do with a grouse, and I doubt that many hunters have ever seen a grouse in a hayfield. Grouse are found in thorn apples, shaded creek areas, etc. If these are lacking due to drought, then, alas, no birds. And this has been the case in several New York counties over the last three years.
Again, contrary to the experts, there is a big difference between killing and fishing. Night-fishing spring holes in droughts kills more fish than anyone can imagine. We watched it happen on the East Branch of the
Delaware in the late '40s when catches of 50 or 70 fish were not uncommon, and game wardens were as scarce as fangs on a tadpole. Regardless of what the experts say, the Delaware never really recovered. If the conservationists were smart, they would close their streams as well as their woods until the drought is over.
BY KELLAM
Jackson Hole, Wyo.
BEWARE THE GREEN
Sirs:
After reflecting on your story on Jet President Sonny Werblin and his quest for success (Show-biz Sonny and His Stars, July 19), I have come to the conclusion that, Namath and Huarte notwithstanding, Mr. Werblin had better get with it and turn In those green jerseys if he wants the Jets to win big. So the Philadelphia Eagles wear green and they win once in awhile. And maybe Notre Dame (true colors: blue and gold) is the exception—but with a very tarnished image until last year. Michigan State (green and white) had a few good years, and Green Bay licks the jinx by wearing more gold than green. But really, now, when did green-clad Baylor, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Manhattan, Miami (Fla.), Ohio University, Tulane, Vermont, Wagner or William & Mary ever make big headlines? Take a tip from a superstitious Jet fan. In football green is for grass.
GEORGE PALMER
Port Washington, N.Y.
MATCHLESS
Sirs:
You published a letter from the Native Diver fan club (19TH HOLE, Aug. 23), and I think you should publish this. The challenge by Native Diver's owner for a match race between Kelso and the Diver is ridiculous for two reasons. The first is that Kelso would break Native Diver's heart. The second is that if Native Diver wants to get beaten that badly he need only come East and run in the Aqueduct, Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup. Kelso will be there.
BARRY LLOYD
Bridgeton, N.J.
BUMPER CROP
Sirs:
We who are connected with Haystack Ski Area in Wilmington, Vt. were surprised and disappointed to read that Taos Ski Valley is calling its beginners' slope "Fanny Hill" (SCORECARD, July 12).
Even though we know that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," we would like very much for your readers to know not only that Haystack originated the beginners' slope name, but that Haystack's Fanny Hill has been in operation for a full season.
CLEMENTINE MICHEL
Boston