For those of us who learned to play golf in the decade of the 60s, golf was pretty much still in its infancy as far as spectator sports go.
There was a magnificent series back then called Shell’s Wonderful World Of Golf. There was a debut match in late 1961 but things really got rolling in 1962 and ended in 1970. The series was resurrected in 1994 and officially ended with one match in 2003.
The Golf Channel gave us a nice Christmas present with bunch of the oldies played on Christmas day.
Here’s a few that caught our eye:
Seve Ballesteros vs. Paul Azinger at The Old Course, St. Andrews, 1995:
They had just finished the playing of the Open Championship, John Daly won that year. Seve and Paul stayed on for the cameras in an 18-hole match.
Of course Jack Whitaker acted as host but 43-year-old Ben Crenshaw commentated the match, a real treat. There were also some big-name onlookers in the gallery — 25-year-old Phil Mickelson, 31-year-old Davis Love III and 38-year-old Nick Faldo. Seve was 38 at the time and Azinger was a bright-faced 35-year-old who just beat cancer.
The winds were civil and it was a treat to watch Ballesteros and Azinger go at it. They had become big Ryder Cup rivals.
Azinger called the coin toss and Seve won, when asked what he wanted to do, in that magnificent accent of his, he declared: “I go first.”
It was tight through the first nine — Seve was even, Azinger one-under.
Neither played great through The Loop holes — the holes where you have to pick up your birdies if you want to fare well on The Old Course.
The match stayed tight until Seve parked his tee shot out-of-bounds right on the 16th hole and took double-bogey six. Azinger three-putted for bogey and was one-under, Seve went from one-under to one-over.
At the testy Road Hole, one of the toughest par fours in golf, Azinger again three-putted for bogey and Seve missed from just seven feet after escaping from the Road Hole bunker.
A couple of routine pars closed the match and the final scorecard had 72 for Azinger, 74 for Ballesteros.
“My friend was too tough for me,” Seve declared with his trademark smile. This one was the 100th telecast for the series. Azinger pocketed $100,000 and a new Rolex watch while Seve took home $50,000.
Jack Nicklaus vs. Gary Player at Sunningdale, 2000:
Sunningdale, about 20 miles outside London hosted those two all-time greats who played on the new course the famous English club.
Jack was 61 back then, Gary 65.
The first hole was a par five, Nicklaus hit driver then a two-iron from 215 yards out to 10-feet. His swing looked great and he reminded everyone that he was the greatest long-iron player ever. He made the 10-footer for eagle (of course) then watched as Player three-putted from eight feet for bogey. After the match, Nicklaus teased his long-time friend, saying “Gary was probably a little nervous, with a little more experience he’ll get over that.”
Peter Alliss was the commentator for the match and he was his usual amazing self.
At one point in the match, they took a short pause and Alliss asked them about the new 24-year-old phenom on the PGA Tour named Tiger Woods.
Jack said: “He doesn’t have any weaknesses in his game.”
Gary added: “There’s no telling what he will do.”
Seemed like half of the gallery brought their dogs to the match. Peter Alliss grabbed a quick word with an up-and-coming young player on the European Tour with his yellow Labrador — the player was Paul McGinley.
Nicklaus dominated the par fives in the match. Both players played incredible golf considering their ages.
In the end, Nicklaus shot a four-under par 67, Player shot even-par 71.
Gene Sarazen vs. Henry Cotton at The Old Course, 1962:
Really cool to see this old footage. First thing you notice is how less manicured The Old Course was back then compared to now.
It was a really blustery day. Cotton, age 55 and Sarazen, 60, were battered and blown. It got pretty cold as well, even though it was summer in Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife.
Both players shot 42 going out but played a little better coming home. In the end, Cotton missed a 20-footer for birdie at the 18th that would have tied the match. Gene won by a shot.
Really cool to see the gallery dressed in the style of the early 60s.
This was really, really old school golf.
Those were three of our favorites, there were plenty to choose from.
Biggest thing you’d notice is the difference in equipment — the clubs and ball.
Pretty much reminded us that the equipment, especially the ball, is getting out-of-hand.
But this was a great gift for Christmas Day.
Thank-you Golf Channel.
It was fun.
