Dear Al: Enjoyed your piece of Glory Days in the Feb. 14 issue of Golf World. That was my first event on the PGA Tour, starting with the long drive from Louisiana through unknown country. Somehow I met up with Dave Wallace from Bedford, PA at a gas station in New Mexico who was also making his first attempt on tour. We actually stopped in Tucson at El Rio for an early practice round. I was successful in the Monday qualifying for the LA Open at Hillcrest, just across the street from Rancho Park. Being in Los Angeles was quite an experience for a tour rookie.
As you wrote, Jayne Mansfield was the tournament queen for the 1957 tournament. She was one of the starlets from across the street at 20 Century Fox. There were more bleachers on the first hole, where Jayne held court, than around the course. The first tee announcer was Dick Myers who had a strong voice and evidently played that role for many years. Anyway, as my group was called to the tee, J C Goosie, Mike Krak and Johnny Pott, a few of the veteran pros wanted to check out that threesome. Namely, Ernie Vossler, Don January and Dow Finsterwald. There seemed to be several thousand in the bleachers, checking out Jayne and watching the players tee off. It was time for us to tee off, we had our scorecards and we were ready to play. I think I was the last of the three to be called to the tee. As you said, Dick did introduce me as "Johnny Tee on the pot." This created a loud roar of laughter and Dick's comment afterward was: "At least I didn't say on the 'potty.'"
I remember the quick hook to the left rough which started my tour experience. I'm not sure how Dick did with the next group, which included Billy Booe and Dick Tiddy. I wasn't around to see Doug Ford win the tournament either, since I had missed the cut and was on my way to Pebble Beach to qualify for the next event. I was called Johnny Tee for some time.
Johnny Pott, Middletown, CA
Thanks, John. We've passed on your comments to Al.
Bob Carney
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