As seen in the St. Louis Post Dispatch
Dan O'Neill's weekly golf column
www.stltoday.com
Work is progressing well toward the remake of the nine hole golf course in Forest Park, which was formerly managed by Triple A Golf and Tennis Club. Management of the property has been assumed by Eagle Golf, which operates the Norman K. Probstein golf facility in Forest Park.
The 2,799-yard course, which originally opened in 1897, will be renamed “Magnolia” and move into the mix with the three current nine-hole carvings at Forest Park - “Red Bud,” “Hawthorne” and “Dogwood.”
The remake is being done by the same team that redesigned the 27 holes at the Probstein facility, including architect Stan Gentry. Perhaps most exciting for the regulars who play golf at the park, the latest makeover project will include a practice range, something Forest Park has never had previously.
“We’re moving dirt and construction is coming along well,” said Jeff Raffelson, general manager of the golf courses at the Park. “We’re hoping for a mid-July opening on the range and hope to have the golf course ready in the early fall.”
Another recreational plus for St. Louisans is the work being done to the tennis courts on the property. Some of the clay surfaces are being upgraded and the entire facility, including the clubhouse, is undergoing a face-lift that will include a new restaurant.
“For folks on the tennis side, it will be the only public clay courts - at least that I know of - in the city,” Raffelson added. “It will be a great opportunity for people who haven’t had the opportunity to play on clay courts.”
While Triple A will continue to function as an organization, it will know longer be involved in the management of the property. The facility will be entirely open to the public and under the City of St. Louis Parks Department umbrella.
“The city of St. Louis has been wonderful in this whole process,” Raffleson added.
***
Forest Hills Country Club pro John Hayes has become an author, publishing a book on the teachings of legendary golf instructor Manuel de la Torre. The work is entitled “Leaning Golf With Manuel.”
Long a proponent of Manuel’s method, Hayes has played host to and attended many of the golf master’s clinics over the years. During that time, Hayes took notes and accumulated materials to piece together the book, which includes 106 short lessons and stories that begin with a quote from de la Torre that was made during the actual episode.
Hayes explains: “Manuel’s students leave golf lesson saying, ‘I understand this. I can do this. It works I can’t wait to play golf!’ This is different from a lot of golf lessons where the student comes to believe that a good golf swing is a mysterious series of movements that will require years of difficult work to achieve.
“I hope this book will help some golfers realize that producing a golf swing is quite easy and something that they are quite capable of doing. Then I hope they come to realize what an exceptional teacher and person Manuel de la Torre truly is.”
Hayes said de la Torre will be at Forest Hills in May.
***
The recent passing of LPGA founding member Betty Jameson brought back a memory for St. Louis golf historian Jim Healey.
“In 2000, when I was writing a book for Glen Echo Country Club, I had an occasion to interview Betty Jameson,” Healey said. “She won the 1940 Women’s Trans-Miss at Glen Echo, defeating Patty Berg. Betty had won the event in 1937, with Berg having won the previous two events.
“Jameson was pleasant, funny and delightful on the phone. I asked her for a memory of Glen Echo. She started by saying that it had been 60 years since she was at the club. Finally, she recalled how she won. She was 2-up on Berg after the 15th hole. On the 16th tee, she hit a good tee shot while Berg pushed her shot right. Jameson was on in two, while Patty was off to the right.
“Berg chipped up and was still about 30 feet away. Meanwhile, Jameson was 15 feet away for birdie. At that moment, she and Berg looked at each other … and they both looked up and saw birds circling the birdhouse behind the 16th green. I told Betty that the birdhouse is still behind the 16th green Jameson made par, Berg bogey and Jameson won 3 and 2.
“Later, when I was attempting to contact Micky Wright also for the Glen Echo book, I called Jameson back to see if she could help. She said, ‘Honey, she won’t talk to you. She won’t talk to anybody.’ Betty was certainly a gifted golfer and, from my contact with her, a wonderful person.”
By the way, Healey has finished his book on Bellerive Country Club, which should be available soon. He also recently published a book on Westwood Country Club, in addition to his book on Glen Echo.
***
Congratulations to Steve Spray, the St. Louis Country Club pro and winner of the 1969 San Francisco Open. Spray was recently inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.
***
In the summer of 2008, this reporter served as the guest speaker for the St. Louis City Championship dinner at Forest Park. A year later, organizers have elected to forgo the dinner and hold a championship barbecue instead. Could it be those two events are related in any way?
Truth is, the championships is attempting to keep costs down in this tough economy. “I think the barbecue will be fun,” said tournament director Bart Collida. “It will be more casual and I think everyone will enjoy something like that.”
The championship will continue with the popular Par-3 Tournament as a preliminary to tournament weekend. The City Championship is scheduled for July 25-26.
