Put together a legendary golf foursome of Billy Casper, Gene Littler, Scott Simpson and Phil Rodgers and you figure the eagles and pars will outnumber the bogies.
They had their chance to speak of longer courses, 21st century equipment, taller players and different mental approaches before a Hall of Fame luncheon audience on April 12.
It was timely material in view of fellow San Diegan Phil Mickelson’s recent Masters victory in Augusta, Ga.
Casper, 74, who won the 1970 Masters and two U.S. Opens, marveled how relaxed Mickelson was.
“My son, Bob, and I were the only ones in the clubhouse when Phil asked us to awaken him in 25 minutes, that he intended to take a nap,” Casper said in amazement. “And that was before he was ready to tee off for the final 18 holes.”
Littler, 75, known as Gene the Machine en route to major victories, including he 1961 U.S. Open, remembered the 1970 Masters heartbreak.
He looked over at Casper and exclaimed: “I hate you!” jokingly referring to the major event when Billy beat him in an 18-hole playoff. Littler turned pro at the insistence of his long time friend, Casper, after winning the 1955 San Diego Open as an amateur.
In their day, there was not as much emphasis placed on the majors.
“Just another tournament,” said Simpson, winner of the 1987 U.S. Open. “We weren’t focused on them. Playing was a way of making a living,” said Littler. who collected his in 1961.
But they agreed it feels good to be remembered for the big ones. “Nice to be recognized,” said Simpson. “We’re pretty excited about Torrey Pines getting the (2008) U.S. Open.”
Casper, who won 51 tour tournaments, concurs that a major championship has become the high point for today’s golfer. “At the time we won one, you tend to take it for granted,” he said. ” Now it means much, much more.”
They spoke of the expanding golf course sizes, compensating equipment and the taller participants.
Rodgers, 65, once described as the boy wonder of the PGA tour, won five tournaments, but never a major. However, the touring pros consider him one of the best teachers.
He once helped Jack Nicklaus correct his short game. In his earlier days, fans mistook the buzz-haired Californian for Jack because of the resemblance.
“It used to be you could hit a 3-iron or 4-wood off the tee when some of the courses measured 6,200 yards,” the La Jollan said. “Now they’re talking about expanding them to 8,200.”
As for equipment, he said: “In our day we played with clubs so long, we’d wear out the grooves. We used to hit the ball lower to gain more accuracy. Now they hit them farther, higher and with ever-changing clubs.”
Littler, who spent hours in a garage working on his clubs, agreed, stating, “We’d add weighted tapes to make adjustments.” Casper said Gene had one of the best pro shops in that garage.
“Don’t change the drivers for these longer courses “” change the characteristics of the ball,” suggested Simpson, who at 50 is eligible for the Senior Tour. “Building courses 8,200 yards long is ridiculous. What’s it going to be in the future “” 10,000? Get some guts and do something about the ball.”
Rodgers recalled leading a tournament by two strokes while playing with Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus told him since he couldn’t win, he should keep it up and beat the guy ahead of them. That was Arnold Palmer.
One of the players Littler admired was Sam Snead, who played at La Jolla a couple times when he was in the Navy, “I’d follow him around the course. I always wished I had a swing like he had.
“I think I picked up a few things, particularly the rhythm of his golf swing. He had one of the great swings of all time,” Littler said.
Littler was forced to take a break from the tour early in 1972 after being diagnosed with lymph node cancer. Following successful surgery, he was back on tour within months and won the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Classic. He would win seven tournaments on the Senior tour.
During Casper’s prime, however, the Big Three – Palmer, Nicklaus and Gary Player – ruled. Or so it seemed. Jack and Arnold won more tourneys but Casper wasn’t far behind. His 51 tour titles place him sixth all-time behind Snead, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Palmer and Byron Nelson.
Indeed, Casper might be best known for being overlooked.