Description

Learn the secrets of playing Golf well, this video focuses on Errie Ball the 98 year old golf legend.

Transcript

Female: We’ll introduce you to the Swing Makeover winner a bit later in the show but right now let’s take it back to 1934, the first ever Masters Invitational, host Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen and his plus 4’s and a brand spanking new Augusta National Golf Course. Our Dave Lockhart tracked down the soul survivor of that first ever masters. Now he just happens to have strong Chicago golf roots. Golf Stories Dave: The place is the Willoughby Golf Club in Steward, Florida where we met the inspirational and still working 98-year-old Erre Ball watch this living legend as he routinely golf’s the ball some 200 yards. Wow, right down the middle. He also drives his cart and mingles with the members and provides insightful instruction. Erre: (Played in 1934 Masters) I get about 2 lessons a day. I cut it down quite a bit because I think you can much more if you wanted to. Maggie Duffy: (Erre Ball Student) I think in others always recognize the fact that I have an Erre Ball Swing. Dave: But it’s that initial master’s which remains at the forefront of Erre’s mind despite all the years that have gone by. Erre: At that time, Bob Jones and Cliff Roberts were trying to get off the ground and right from the hole just trying to get it started and I was thrilled to death to get an invitation. Dave: Eventually Erre Ball went down the path as a club professional right here in Chicago for many years at Oak Park Country Club and Butler National. Erre: I think Chicago was very nice to me. I love Chicago. I come to playing well and broke a few course records and that’s how I got the job at Oak Park Country Club. Dave: Willoughby’s Director of Golf Gerry Knebels is known as native of England for over 27 years when worked as Erre’s Assistant Pro at Butler. Gerry: It’s really hard to put in the words because not only is he a really good friend but even at 98 he’s still mentoring and he’s still coming up and he’ll give you a little suggestion whether it would be something you’re doing in the shop or something that you’ll see the staff and he just is always there to sort of help. To me a person like Erre Ball and you really can’t think of how you could deal with everybody in a lot of ways. Erre: Because he doesn’t know me very well [Laughs]. Dave: A sense of humor, staying active, doing everything in a first class manner and teaching the game he loves or that he used to Erre’s longevity. Erre: Well, I have been in it all of my life and I love it and I wouldn’t know what to do without it. I think that’s the reason I stay young because I still like to do a little teaching and I like to practice a little bit, in fact I practice a lot. Dave: I was lucky enough to have this icon to even help me a bit with my game. I think it’s time the master’s roles out the carpet for Erre Ball and let him hit the ceremonial opening tee shop after all he is the last man standing. Female: What an amazing guy, by the way Erre Ball won a number of tournaments here in the land of Lincoln including the 1953 Illinois Open.