TERRE HAUTE —
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
To top it off, Terre Haute has more than a passing interest in John Wooden since he coached basketball at Indiana State Teachers College in 1947 and 1948 while leading his team to Indiana Collegiate Conference Championships both years.
Area players who represented ISTC under Wooden’s guidance included Duane Klueh, who became an All-American, Les Brown a five-letterman at Gerstmeyer High School and Don McDonald from Fontanet who later became an outstanding high school coach.
After college, Klueh played professional basketball with the Denver Nuggets, whereas Brown inked a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Other players were Charles Austin, who hailed from Effingham (Ill.) and popular Bobby Royer from Bowling Green.
Clarence Walker’s home was East Chicago and Bob Brock hailed form Clay City. He would later be Wabash College’s golf coach. South Bend was the home of a majority of Indiana State basketball players They included: Lenny Rzeszewski, Jim Hans, Bob Brady, Dan Dimich, Ed Lash, Joe DePeugh, Bill Jagodzinski, and Jim Powers.
Wooden has been a winner at all stages of his life whether it was helping Martinsville to the Indiana High School Finals three times as a player or guiding Purdue to the 1932 National Championship. He was a three time “All-American” at Purdue, and was named 1932 Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year.
It was after leaving Indiana State and becoming basketball coach at UCLA that he accomplished a record that may never be challenged. At one point his Bruins won 10 NCAA Championships during a span of 12 years. He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a player and as a coach, and he has been presented with just about every recognition you might think of, that is awarded to a player or coach in the sport of basketball.
The basketball court at Indiana State is named the “Nellie and John Wooden Court”. The student recreation center of UCLA is named in John’s honor and the basketball court in Pauley Pavilion is now named the Nell and John Wooden Court after John requested that his wife’s name should come first.
Although John Wooden’s beloved wife, died 25 years ago, since then he has kept a monthly ritual in which he writes her a love letter, on the 26th day of each month and puts it in an envelope and places it on the pillow where she slept during their years together.
As John heads for his birthday on Oct. 14 this year (he will be 100 years old) he has definitely set a standard of excellence for any coach to emulate. John Wooden, a coach for the ages; a gentleman for all time.
Wooden has also performed an impossible feat on the golf course. That’s right, the golf course.
Back in 1948 before leaving for California and the UCLA coaching job, John played golf at a course in South Bend called Chain of Lakes, now named South Bend Country Club.
Facing a 185-yard par three hole, John pulled a four iron from his bag and hit the shot into the cup, but this was just a warm-up for what was yet to come.
On a par five hole during the same round, Wooden took out a brassie (two wood) for his second shot and holed it for a double eagle, something sometimes called an albatross. That gave him a total of five under par on two holes. After the round was completed John could be heard to say, “You’d think that someone who could play two holes five under par could finish with something better that a 77, five over par.”
Nevertheless, players who have achieved feats such as this would have to be more scarce that hen’s teeth.
I’d have to say that in addition to Wooden’s ability as a basketball player and coach, he could certainly hold his own on a golf course.
Speaking of double eagles, the late golfing great, Gene Sarazen, certainly picked a good time to produce one of his own. It was the 1935 Masters and Craig Wood was in the clubhouse with a three-shot lead over Gene who had four holes to play. Sarazen selected a four wood for his second on the 498-yard par five 15th. He hit the shot crisply and although he didn’t see it go in the cup, that’s exactly where it finished. That made a tie for the tourney, both Wood and Sarazen with 292’s for 72 holes.
A 36-hole playoff was scheduled for the following day with Gene coming out on top by 5 shots, 144 to 149. You would have to feel sorry for Wood, one of the best players of his era who probably felt as thought his pocket had been picked. Sarazen, by the way, is one of five golfers who has won the four tournaments that compromise the modern Grand Slam.
• • •
In the “we goofed department”, that’s Dirk Wyles who is one of the genial gentlemen who works in the pro shop at The Landing. He was incorrectly identified as Dick Wyles in our last column.
• • •
TIP OF THE WEEK: Rigid arms do not perform well at all. You can keep an arm straight, but not rigid. In fact, some right-handed players actually bend their left arm during the swing and still get good results. You might experiment to see how this technique suits you.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
- Rub of the Green
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
Ed Grayless has assumed the “head man’s” position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
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