THE GOLF HALL OF FAME (OR NOT SO FAMOUS)

by Doug McAllister

This day in golf history saw the birth of a Golf Hall of Famer and the death of another. In 1890 future U.S. President and golfing fanatic, Dwight David Eisenhower was born on this day in the obscure prairie town of Abilene, Kansas. And, some 87 years later, an equally obsessed golfer named Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby died in Madrid, Spain on October 14, 1977.

I bring this up because of the recent caterwauling that resulted from news of one of the latest inductees into the same storied Hall.

Former President, George W. Bush was inducted and almost immediately the naysaying began. "What has he done to deserve to be there?" was the most common question asked. What indeed?

To tell you the truth, I can't say why. The 'W' in his name does stand for Walker — tied directly to the Walker Cup. Maybe that had something to do with it. Maybe not.

But, hey, why Bing Crosby or President Eisenhower? One used money and influence to establish an event that contributed mightily to west coast golf while the other, through his own talentless addiction to the game, popularized the game in the 1950's. Oh...and he got a tree named after him at Augusta National. Why? Because he couldn't, for the life of him, manage to play a round there without hitting it! Even went so far as to try to use his influence to have the darned thing torn out by the roots! Yep, the stuff of a Hall of Fame Career if there ever was one.

Interestingly, there was a bit of complaining about Ernie Els being inducted this year as well. Barely eligible to enter the Hall from an age-requirement standpoint, some believed that he should have had to wait for a while. Interesting. Some even rationalized, as Els might have another Major in his future, it would be best to wait. As if adding another Major to his impressive credentials might disqualify him? (Okay...so I know what they mean. But it's still a remarkably stupid observation to make, in my humble opinion!)

It needs to be remembered that, like most other sports Halls of Fame, every golfer will not make the Hallowed Hall. Just take a look at the list of those IN the Hall. See any names missing that you were just sure would be there? I did.

Where is Oscar Bane "Pop" Keeler? Bobby Jones' friend and confidant and golf writer. Where is Grantland Rice? Rice coined the famous saying "It isn't whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." In my opinion, these sports journalists are as deserving as Bernard Darwin, another golf writer who IS in. And it goes without saying that Keeler and Rice would be far better additions to the Hall than Crosby, Eisenhower or Bush!

And, then, there are the many "generic" golfers in the Hall. Undoubtedly a case can be made for each, I suppose. But, just to name a few — who the heck are Fred Corcoran, Joseph Dey, Herb Graffis and Richard Tufts? To look at their plaques, they appear to be suited bean counters. No doubt they were perceived as contributors to the game and no doubt, as well, they may have dropped a few too many bucks to be given the privilege. Money, after all, opens far too many doors. But, recognizable names or not, there they are in the Hall. And far less notable than George W. Bush.

But like so many things about the game, The Hall of Fame, really has very little to do with the intrinsic quality and enduring value of the game itself, regardless of who is there or not. But, you knew I was going to say that, didn't you? That's because you're smart!

You know, then, that I am also going to say...

Hit 'Em Long and Straight!