SUMMER 1 983
BY LEE L. RICHARDS
Former U.S. Open Champion Andy
North came to Irem Temple C.C. recently
to play some promotional golf. United
Penn Bank brought the 1978 Open winner
in to play golf with some of its customers
and simply socialize.
UP vice president Bob Mason coor-
dinated the outing and said, ‘Andy was
really a gentleman and he made an im-
pression with everyone he visited with
during the course of the day.”
North is 6-4, 210 pounds, and has won
close to $900,000 on the PGA Tour. He hails
from the state of Wisconsin, but was a
three-time All-American at Florida.
This is his 11th campaign on the tour.
He’s only won twice, but winning an Open
is a zenith in any golfer’s career.
“What nfost golf fans fail to realize is
there’s such a fine line on tour between
winning and winding up in second or third
place,” says North. “The difference is
making a putt here knocking an iron shot
stiff on a difficult hole, then making
the putt. Besides having everything
falling, there's a certain bit of luck.”
The 1983 Open is at Oakmont C.C. which
will be hosting the event for the sixth time.
North said he’s looking forward to playing
the Western PA layout.
“I've been honing my game in recent
weeks and pointing for the Open. There's
some difficult holes there, but overall, I
like to play the course,” he said.
Meanwhile, Irem pro Barry Fies said he
enjoyed playing with North. “I’ve been
privileged to have played with three Open
winners now. Jack Nicklaus, Arnie
Palmer and now North. Sure it was a
thrill,” Fies said.
North played his way around the course.
He played at least one hole with each
foursome, had his picture snapped a bunch
of times, offered advice when asked and
seemed to enjoy the day.
Mason said, “North was very personable
and articulate about the whole ap-
pearance. There was no hassle and when
we gave him a little TV as a gift for his car
he was quite surprised. He wrote us a very
nice note and claimed to have enjoyed the
course and the people.”
We had the opportunity to visit with
Andy before he gave his informal clinic.
While I wanted to talk about golf, he
wanted to talk football and about a mutual
friend and former teammate of his, Rick
Spears.
Andy North
He's a big booster of the Wisconsin
football team and was sporting a nifty
bowl ring.
“I'm a Badger fan and have gotten in-
volved in their football program. I like the
people and believe they're going to get
better every year,” he says.
He spun some tales about my pal Spears
when he played for the Gators which
captured the NCAA team crown in 1968.
After his clinic and hitting some shots,
Andy posed for pictures and had time to
chit-chat with some of the passers by. He
did a lot of the little things which im-
pressed a lot of folks.
When I made mention of that a bit later,
he replied, ‘No one has ever perfected the
game of golf. If I can offer some advice
here or there to fellow golfers and it helps
him, then I’ve done some good for the
game.”
One thing he did emphasize was taking
lessons and having your resident pro help
you with swing problems.
During the course of our conversation
North never mentioned winning money.
Calvin Peete
He did not mention his injuries which have
hampered his career. What he did mention
was getting in the competitive mental
groove and shaping his game for the long
hot summer ahead.
In parting, we discussed his upcoming
schedule and it appears we will be seeing
each other at the Busch Golf Classic at
Williamsburg’s Kingsmill July 21 through
24th. Maybe with a little luck North can
rack up another first.
I know one thing, he’s No. 1 with a lot of
people around Wyoming Valley and Irem
Temple C.C.
BY LEE L. RICHARDS
At the recent press day for the annual
Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic at Kingsmill
in Williamsburg, VA, defending champion
Calvin Peete met with the media and
answered the following questions.
Q--Why did you take up professional golf?
A-It was something I wanted to do. I knew
it was going to be a challenge and I'd have
to pay the price. I practiced 12 to 14 hours a
day. I wasn’t exactly starving at the time
either. I had my own business and owned
some real estate near Fort Lauderdale
worth $250,000.
Q--Has your life-style changed with your
recent success?
A--Not necessarily. My wife still tells me
where to go, when to be there and what
time to be there. I've made a little more
money and I'm still taking care of it in the
same way when I didn’t have a whole lot.
Q--What goals did you set for yourself
when you joined the tour?
A--1 wanted to win a million dollars and
win a major championship. I'm getting
close to the first goal and I'm still shooting
for the second.
preparing for a‘ tournament?
patience. I'm just trying to hit each green
in regulation and make pars. I don’t try to
force birdies. They’ll come with time.
Q--How did you reach the level of con-
sistency you are at today?
A-Practice, practice and more practice.
Q-What tip would you give the amateur
golfer?
A--Attempt to get solid balance. I work a
lot on getting good timing, tempo and
balance. Most of the pros when they miss a
shot it stems from poor alignment. Check
your body and make sure you're square to
the target.
Q--What seems to be the biggest concern
on the tour today by the players?
A-We're all concerned over the slow play.
When they changed the rule from a two- £
shot penalty to a $200 fine things seemed to
get worse.
Q--Do you consider yourself a role model
for other black golfers?
Continued on page 2
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