The Happiest Golfer In The World

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29913, 29 August 1962, Page 11

The Happiest Golfer In The World

“pHARITY begins at home.” ‘‘Golf is my business. You've got to use your commonsense and stick with it.” "I know I have what they call a ‘mean’ attitude; it's because I don't want any guy to beat me.” These are some of the statements made by the player R. J. Charles is to meet in a televised golf match at Paraparaumu Beach in October Bob Goalby. They are typical of the dedicated spirit of the man and of American golfers in general. They are, in fact, the means by which America has raised itself above all other nations in golf.

Goalby, a dark, handsome six-footer, with a grin that stretches from ear to ear, is 31, and turned professional in 1957. During the previous two years, he sold auto, mobiles, made a reputation as an amateur golfer by winning titles in the Illinois-Indrana-Kentucky area, and then decided he was ready to play for cash. At his first tournament he won 20 dollars and the following year he gained his first success, in the Greensboro Open tournament, and was chosen as the 1958 ‘‘Rookie of the Year.” The next year brought him in 24,413 dollars and since then he has always been in the fore-

front of money-winners in America. He was joint second in the 1961 United States Open at Oakland Hills with a fourround total of 282. He was first of the possible winners to finish and had to stand by and watch as Gene Littler and Doug Sanders came down the 72nd hole of the championship the only two left with a chance to beat him. Littler made it by one stroke; Sanders missed a long putt for a birdie and shared second place with Goalby. A similar position arose in this year’s American professional championship in which Goalby finished second to the South African, Gary Player, the first overseas man to win the title. Goalby is unmarried, rarely drinks and never smokes. He was an outstanding high school gridiron quarter-back and all-round athlete, and won a football scholarship to Illinois University. He did not play much football there but concentrated on golf, and gave up university to take up the game seriously. He has a keen sense of humour and has largely curtailed a quick temper that was once ruining his game. His whole attitude to golf is that of a serious student, who is convinced he can be the best player in the world. He experiments with all kinds of golf clubs, to a greater extent than any other player. He believes he has practiced with around 100 putters, using as many as four or five in a tournament. “I feel I am steadily improving,” he says.” “And I'm probably the happiest guy in the world.”