Question:
In honor of Stadler’s ace and splendid tournament so far, here’s a post on the Stads I wrote about 2 years ago. –W. I had the good fortune to play against Craig Stadler in college. This was in 73 or 74. I was at Pomona College, he was at USC. We never gave USC much competition, but they liked to come over and play our home course (Red Hill), which was a nice private club that was kind enough to host our college matches. Stads was in a kind of slump (for him) at the time, and he was only #3 on the USC team that day. I was #3 on the PC team. Stads shot 33 on the front nine, but slipped to a 38 on the back nine. I went 42 and 40, so of course he killed me. But that wasn’t the point. I got to play up close with a real live world class player, and it left an indelible mark. I remember in particular the drive he hit on the second hole, one of his patented rip fades, about 290 yards (this was with a wooden wood, you whippersnappers – we’re talking the old days here). It was amazing to see a player hit the ball with ions flying off the clubface on the full swings. This, I thought, is the way the game should be played. On the 17th, a very short par 4 of about 300 yards, Stads of course tried to drive the green. Unfortunately, he caught a bit of the heel, so the ball only went about 265 with a little more fade than he wanted. It was still in perfect shape for a birdie try, but, you guessed it, the driver went airborn in a tremendous end over end heave. He was having a bad nine (for him). He’s an absolutely terrific guy, and he was very courteous to me all day. When he gets mad he gets mad at himself only. I’m very happy to see him do well again. He comes from a blue collar background and developed his own home made swing, with a great natural move onto his left side. Lots of personality as you know. Kind of a Palmer-Trevino type, but of course not with the great record of those gentlemen. I’d love to see Craig win another major.
Response:
But then Stads goes and bogies, double-bogies, and triple-bogies on the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish the found. I’ll bet that Stads would trade the Ace for Par, Par and Par. Bert
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In honor of Stadler’s ace and splendid tournament so far, here’s a post on the Stads I wrote about 2 years ago. –W. I had the good fortune to play against Craig Stadler in college. This was in 73 or 74. I was at Pomona College, he was at USC. We never gave USC much competition, but they liked to come over and play our home course (Red Hill), which was a nice private club that was kind enough to host our college matches. Stads was in a kind of slump (for him) at the time, and he was only #3 on the USC team that day. I was #3 on the PC team. Stads shot 33 on the front nine, but slipped to a 38 on the back nine. I went 42 and 40, so of course he killed me. But that wasn’t the point. I got to play up close with a real live world class player, and it left an indelible mark. I remember in particular the drive he hit on the second hole, one of his patented rip fades, about 290 yards (this was with a wooden wood, you whippersnappers – we’re talking the old days here). It was amazing to see a player hit the ball with ions flying off the clubface on the full swings. This, I thought, is the way the game should be played. On the 17th, a very short par 4 of about 300 yards, Stads of course tried to drive the green. Unfortunately, he caught a bit of the heel, so the ball only went about 265 with a little more fade than he wanted. It was still in perfect shape for a birdie try, but, you guessed it, the driver went airborn in a tremendous end over end heave. He was having a bad nine (for him). He’s an absolutely terrific guy, and he was very courteous to me all day. When he gets mad he gets mad at himself only. I’m very happy to see him do well again. He comes from a blue collar background and developed his own home made swing, with a great natural move onto his left side. Lots of personality as you know. Kind of a Palmer-Trevino type, but of course not with the great record of those gentlemen. I’d love to see Craig win another major.
Response:
Stads was playing in a charity event in PGH a few years ago. I got tickets last minute, and talked my dad out of going to work. Stadler is my dads favorite golfer. WE missed him tee off ( he was first off, playing by himself). That was a disappointment for my father. We decided to walk around the course, and not follow anyone. Managed to catch up with him on about 12 or 13. Must not have been having a good round, and no one was following him. He looked over and asked us if we would walk with him, "cause he was bored. What an experience for my father. Jon
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In honor of Stadler’s ace and splendid tournament so far, here’s a post on the Stads I wrote about 2 years ago. –W. I had the good fortune to play against Craig Stadler in college. This was in 73 or 74. I was at Pomona College, he was at USC. We never gave USC much competition, but they liked to come over and play our home course (Red Hill), which was a nice private club that was kind enough to host our college matches. Stads was in a kind of slump (for him) at the time, and he was only #3 on the USC team that day. I was #3 on the PC team. Stads shot 33 on the front nine, but slipped to a 38 on the back nine. I went 42 and 40, so of course he killed me. But that wasn’t the point. I got to play up close with a real live world class player, and it left an indelible mark. I remember in particular the drive he hit on the second hole, one of his patented rip fades, about 290 yards (this was with a wooden wood, you whippersnappers – we’re talking the old days here). It was amazing to see a player hit the ball with ions flying off the clubface on the full swings. This, I thought, is the way the game should be played. On the 17th, a very short par 4 of about 300 yards, Stads of course tried to drive the green. Unfortunately, he caught a bit of the heel, so the ball only went about 265 with a little more fade than he wanted. It was still in perfect shape for a birdie try, but, you guessed it, the driver went airborn in a tremendous end over end heave. He was having a bad nine (for him). He’s an absolutely terrific guy, and he was very courteous to me all day. When he gets mad he gets mad at himself only. I’m very happy to see him do well again. He comes from a blue collar background and developed his own home made swing, with a great natural move onto his left side. Lots of personality as you know. Kind of a Palmer-Trevino type, but of course not with the great record of those gentlemen. I’d love to see Craig win another major.
Played alot of golf with Craig before he moved to Colorado and every round was a pleasure. He is an extremely intelligent and generous person, with a great sense of dry humor. During one of our rounds I got off to a flying start and was 3 under thru 5 and on the 6th hole I chose to play safe on tight par 4 and teed off with an iron after which Craig "cut" his drive down the middle to the fringe of the green as we were walking down the fairway he gave me a little nudge and said "protecting your lead" Its unfortunate that the telecasts choose to show his intense side and the general public never truly gets to appreciate him. When ever he does an interview he is articulate and interesting to listen to and doesn’t fill he answers wth aaaa’s and you know. Craig may appear crusty on TV but he is one hell of a guy.
Response:
Thanks for that Stads story.The first tournament I ever watched was the ‘82 Masters, and I’ve been pulling for him to win ever since.He’s a breath of fresh air on a Tour that can be more than a little bit dull (see Davis Love III).Now if he could just get one more win before he hits 50…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In honor of Stadler’s ace and splendid tournament so far, here’s a post on the Stads I wrote about 2 years ago. –W. I had the good fortune to play against Craig Stadler in college. This was in 73 or 74. I was at Pomona College, he was at USC. We never gave USC much competition, but they liked to come over and play our home course (Red Hill), which was a nice private club that was kind enough to host our college matches. Stads was in a kind of slump (for him) at the time, and he was only #3 on the USC team that day. I was #3 on the PC team. Stads shot 33 on the front nine, but slipped to a 38 on the back nine. I went 42 and 40, so of course he killed me. But that wasn’t the point. I got to play up close with a real live world class player, and it left an indelible mark. I remember in particular the drive he hit on the second hole, one of his patented rip fades, about 290 yards (this was with a wooden wood, you whippersnappers – we’re talking the old days here). It was amazing to see a player hit the ball with ions flying off the clubface on the full swings. This, I thought, is the way the game should be played. On the 17th, a very short par 4 of about 300 yards, Stads of course tried to drive the green. Unfortunately, he caught a bit of the heel, so the ball only went about 265 with a little more fade than he wanted. It was still in perfect shape for a birdie try, but, you guessed it, the driver went airborn in a tremendous end over end heave. He was having a bad nine (for him). He’s an absolutely terrific guy, and he was very courteous to me all day. When he gets mad he gets mad at himself only. I’m very happy to see him do well again. He comes from a blue collar background and developed his own home made swing, with a great natural move onto his left side. Lots of personality as you know. Kind of a Palmer-Trevino type, but of course not with the great record of those gentlemen. I’d love to see Craig win another major.
Response:
But then Stads goes and bogies, double-bogies, and triple-bogies on the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish the found. I’ll bet that Stads would trade the Ace for Par, Par and Par.
Ooops, sorry about the empty post. I thought Stads showed a lot of class to speak with Jimmy Roberts after the frustration of the last few holes. — http://www.rec-sport-golf.com/members/?rollcall=hayesd Troll Intolerant: http://rec-sport-golf.com/newsgroup/philosophy.html
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But then Stads goes and bogies, double-bogies, and triple-bogies on the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish the found. I’ll bet that Stads would trade the Ace for Par, Par and Par. Bert In honor of Stadler’s ace and splendid tournament so far, here’s a post on the Stads I wrote about 2 years ago. –W. I had the good fortune to play against Craig Stadler in college. This was in 73 or 74. I was at Pomona College, he was at USC. We never gave USC much competition, but they liked to come over and play our home course (Red Hill), which was a nice private club that was kind enough to host our college matches. Stads was in a kind of slump (for him) at the time, and he was only #3 on the USC team that day. I was #3 on the PC team. Stads shot 33 on the front nine, but slipped to a 38 on the back nine. I went 42 and 40, so of course he killed me. But that wasn’t the point. I got to play up close with a real live world class player, and it left an indelible mark. I remember in particular the drive he hit on the second hole, one of his patented rip fades, about 290 yards (this was with a wooden wood, you whippersnappers – we’re talking the old days here). It was amazing to see a player hit the ball with ions flying off the clubface on the full swings. This, I thought, is the way the game should be played. On the 17th, a very short par 4 of about 300 yards, Stads of course tried to drive the green. Unfortunately, he caught a bit of the heel, so the ball only went about 265 with a little more fade than he wanted. It was still in perfect shape for a birdie try, but, you guessed it, the driver went airborn in a tremendous end over end heave. He was having a bad nine (for him). He’s an absolutely terrific guy, and he was very courteous to me all day. When he gets mad he gets mad at himself only. I’m very happy to see him do well again. He comes from a blue collar background and developed his own home made swing, with a great natural move onto his left side. Lots of personality as you know. Kind of a Palmer-Trevino type, but of course not with the great record of those gentlemen. I’d love to see Craig win another major.
– http://www.rec-sport-golf.com/members/?rollcall=hayesd Troll Intolerant: http://rec-sport-golf.com/newsgroup/philosophy.html