In 1928, a fifteen-year-old Ben Hogan was playing in the Caddy Championship at Glen Garden Country Club against another caddy by the name of Byron Nelson. The winner received a year-long membership at the country club and second place was rewarded a golf club. The tournament began and the match was tied going to the 18th hole. On the 18th hole, Ben Hogan had carted a par-four and Byron needed to make a 40-footer to tie with Ben. Ben could almost feel the win and it meant so much to him to play golf with the members who he had been caddying for during the last six years. It was the beginning of Ben’s assault on the game of golf to attain his dream of becoming the greatest golfer of all time. It would be a dream come true for him to become a recognized player at Glen Garden Country Club.
He couldn’t watch Byron putt, but he heard the ball hit the bottom of the cup. Byron Nelson had made the 40-footer. Mr. Foxworthy, the Vice Rresident of the club, stepped in and said, “Alright boys, sudden death playoff. Whoever wins the next hole is our new member at Glen Garden Country Club.”
On the first playoff hole, Byron hit his ball into the woods and couldn’t find it. He had to go back to the tee and play another accompanied by a two-stroke penalty. Ben made the hole in four, beating Byron’s whole in six. As Mr. Foxworthy was about to award Ben the first place prize, a car came screeching across the greens. It was unusual to see a car on a golf course, but there it was, circling to the back of the green where everyone was. Out of the car came the President of the club, Mr. Wallich. He called Mr. Foxworthy over to the side but the boys could hear the conversation.
Mr. Wallich asked Mr. Foxworthy, “Who won?”
Mr. Foxworthy retorted, “Ben Hogan won. He is the new member for 1929.”
“What?!”
“Yes, Ben Hogan won in a sudden death playoff.”
“Who said that there would be a sudden death playoff? They have to play another 9. A sudden death won’t do here. This is for a membership at Glen Garden!”
Mr. Foxworthy stared at Mr. Wallich. “I made the decision using my authority as the Vice President of this Country Club. It is Christmas Day. These boys have families to go home to. They don’t have all day to play golf at your whim.”
The President coldly responded, “Let me tell you Mr. Foxworthy, you had no right to do that. They are playing another 9-holes and if Ben Hogan wins that, then they are playing another 9. And if Ben Hogan wins that, they are paying another 9 until Byron wins.”
Mr. Foxworthy replied, “I have been a member here for 26 years. I have faithfully served this country club in all aspects of it’s operation. If you go ahead with this folly, you will not only lose me as a member of this club, but you will lose me as your vice president and I shall never set foot on this property again. You are in no position to give these boys a life lesson that they will never forget. It’s wrong on so many levels.”
The President kept his stand and the boys went off and played another 9-holes. In the end Ben Hogan lost. Byron Nelson got the membership and Ben Hogan won a two-iron. However, the story didn’t end there. The two boys grew up to dominate the PGA Tour, making it what it is today due to their accomplishments. Although Ben lost the Caddy Championship, the competition between these two was fierce for the rest of their golfing careers. Ben Hogan won 9 majors, including 4 U.S. Opens. Byron Nelson won 5 majors which included two Masters. They remained friends until their deaths but the fire in their bellies lasted their whole career.
The Blue Whale Exercise Program 