TERRE HAUTE — Not all things go “bump in the night,” but there are certainly some strange goings on that are connected to the world of golf.
Anthony Pioppi and Chris Gonsalves have collaborated on a book entitled “Haunted Golf, Spirited Tales from the Rough.” With a foreword by Peter Oosterhuis, this book serves up a mysterious mix of spirits and events that would certainly appear to be unfathomable to many.
One story concerns the great Henry Longhurst, an outstanding golf journalist as well as a popular golf commentator known far and wide as the best in the business.
Longhurst and Sir Douglas Bader, an English World War II hero, became the best of friends during the later years of Longhurst’s life. Bader had lost both legs in an airplane accident, but that hadn’t stopped him from making twenty-two confirmed kills while utilizing two metal prostheses.
Henry Longhurst was a scratch golfer who had been captain of his Cambridge University golf team. He also had a German Amateur golf championship in his resume.
Bader, despite playing golf without his legs, managed to bring his handicap down to four. He and Longhurst became good friends who would converse long into the night as they undertook to solve the problems of golf, politics and life, only concluding their conversations at the time their gin bottles had been emptied.
On one particular night the subject shifted to the question, “What truly lies beyond mortality?” The two friends managed to reduce the question to, “Is the grass really greener on the other side?” On July 21, 1978, Henry Longhurst died of cancer. What occurred after that is the essence of a most interesting tale that makes for spellbinding reading.
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Doris Gravlin was a 30-year-old nurse who was estranged from her husband, Victor Gravlin. Although Victor wanted Doris to come back to him, the fact he was an alcoholic kept her from even considering reconciliation. After receiving a note from Victor, Doris decided to meet him.
They talked at length on the beach near Victoria Golf Club’s seventh hole before Victor in a rage, pulled out a rope, twisted it around Doris’s neck and choked her to death. He then dragged her body down the seventh fairway and tried to hide his murderous deed.
Within a few days the body of Doris Gravlin was discovered. Sometime later a badly decomposed body was found floating in the surf. It was identified as the corpse of Victor Gravlin. Police theorized that after killing his wife, he walked into the ocean and took his own life.
Since that time the ghost of Doris Gravlin continues to haunt Victoria Golf Club on a frequent schedule. A local newspaper published a story detailing an encounter with Doris’s ghost in the mid sixties. At that time the newspaper was deluged with stories regarding sightings of the ghost of Doris Gravlin. Other instances near the seventh hole have left witnesses shaken and panic stricken.
The Victoria Golf Clubhouse has also been the site of some eerie happenings. On numerous occasions night security guards say they have heard footsteps and music resonating from empty rooms. Victoria Golf Club is located at 1110 Beach Drive, Victoria B.C., Canada.
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Hilton Head is indeed a coveted locale for golfers. Harbour Town Golf Links, a Pete Dye creation, is one of the most admired courses anywhere in the U.S. as well as a popular, annual stop on the PGA Tour.
Back in October 1898, a hurricane with winds of 150-mph bore down on Hilton Head. Adam Fripp was charged with keeping the light burning in the lighthouse, however, the storm extinguished it, and Fripp worked frantically to reignite it when he suffered a heart attack and died. His 20-year-old daughter, Caroline, worked as hard as she could to keep the searchlight illuminated, but the storm exhausted her and she died a few weeks later. She was buried in her favorite blue dress in a grave near her father. It wasn’t long before Caroline’s ghost was observed wandering about, especially during hurricane season.
In recent years, the specter has been witnessed by many and she is now known as The Blue Lady, a reference to her favorite blue dress in which she was buried.
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The Biltmore Hotel and Resort located in Coral Gables, Fla., was just the place for Thomas “Fatty” Walsh and his buddy Arthur Clark. They were fleeing further questioning in regard to the murder of mob boss, Arnold Rothstein back in New York.
Fatty knew his way around when it came to the underworld. He had worked at various times for Meyer Lansky Charles “Lucky” Luciano, Dutch Schultz and Rothstein. Now it was time to lay low and the Biltmore was just the place. The Biltmore was managed by an old friend, Eddie Wilson.
Everything about the Biltmore was class, from its 276 rooms, a 700,000-gallon swimming pool and its championship golf course designed by Donald Ross. In 1926 an exhibition match featured Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour and Leo Diegel.
With prohibition in, Eddie Wilson could use Fatty’s talents in offering some of the country’s well-heeled players a safe place for the recreation of their choice. It was offered on the 13th floor of The Biltmore. During the day the 13th floor was a large empty room. By night it was an opulent destination for the affluent who wished to drink, gamble, listen to an outstanding band, and not worry about the law. Fatty Walsh and Eddie made a good team as they filled the 13th floor nightly with women in evening gowns and men in tuxedoes.
The partnership didn’t last, however, as Wilson and Fatty began accusing each other of skimming and it was dissolved when Walsh put some bullets into both Fatty and Arthur. Fatty died of his wounds, but Art survived. Eddie who always clamed to be protected by law enforcement was whisked off to Havana where he was never heard from again; Fatty, however, wasn’t willing to leave quietly, in fact he may never have left at all. You see, Fatty Walsh always had affection for blondes as well as a fascination about the 13th floor.
After Fatty’s death the elevators at the Biltmore began to take on a life of their own and the high jinks concerning the 13th floor multiplied. At one time there were dozens of spirit entities to be found at the Biltmore.
By the end of World War II, the Biltmore fell on some hard times. The Department of Defense took over the property and made it into an Army Air Force hospital. The location also served as a morgue and autopsy theater for the University of Miami Medical School. During those years players on the golf course began reporting ghostly lights, haunting voices and music all coming from the empty hotel. Some nights more that 100 people would gather on the fairways to witness the unearthly spectacle.
At one time the Dade County sheriffs and Miami police raided the old hotel figuring to find vagrants and drug users, but they failed to find anyone who was alive.
The Biltmore has since been restored and now is one of the favorite destinations of former President Bill Clinton. He favors a suite once occupied by Al Capone. Incidentally, it’s located on the 13th floor With tales of spooky events from Canada and throughout the U. S., the authors have served up a generous mix of strange happenings at golf courses and resorts in 19 various locations.
Hats off to new city golf champion, Chris Cassell. Chris was an outstanding high school golfer who always displayed the class and the confidence of a winner whether it was on the golf course or the basketball court. I would bet that Cassell will add some more city championships in the years to come. Nice going, Chris.
Congratulations to Chris Keen and Tom Jones on their 20 under par effort in winning the Brazil Two Man a week ago. Both Keen and Jones have what it takes to put plenty of red numbers on a scoreboard. Also, kudos to Chris Keen for a great job in directing the Terre Haute Golf Association during the past two years.
TIP OF THE WEEK: With inclement weather around the corner and courses playing longer don’t fall into the habit of swinging harder to get the required distance from a club. Take more club and swing easier. This will pay dividends in the long run.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: Strange stories connected to golf
- Rub of the Green
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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.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: Strange stories connected to golf
- Rub of the Green: Holmes held ‘corner on the market’ of club championships When it comes to winning club championships it would appear that amiable Ron Holmes has held a “corner on the market” while winning a total of 28 of these titles throughout his 50 years as an amateur golfer.
- Rub of the Green: Woods vs. Yang at PGA proves anything can happen Tiger Woods wants to win major golf championships, and he wants to win them in the worst way. With 14 of them already in his resume, it looked obvious that the 2009 PGA Championship would be No. 15, especially since Tiger, No. 1 in the world, had never lost a major holding the lead going into the final round. But then, as most golfers know, cow pasture pool can be a crazy, weird and wild game.
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