Looking after number one provides some fun for all

ITS APPEAL is timeless. No matter what limitations are placed on the process, golf enthusiasts never seem to tire of the notion of selecting the greatest exponents in the history of the game. Who was the number one player - Jones, Hogan or Nicklaus?. A detailed poll, conducted recently in the US, produced some fascinating results.

Consider the name Mario Gonzales. Perhaps you have never heard of the Brazilian, who was born in Sao Paulo in 1923 and totally dominated the amateur and professional game in his country for 10 years after the Second World War. Renowned for his ball striking, particularly with a one iron, he captured the 1947 Spanish Open in one of his rare ventures overseas.

It hardly seems an earth shattering pedigree. But the fact is that Peter Thomson, five times winner of the British Open, thought so highly of him that he included Gonzales in his all time top 10 - to the exclusion of Arnold Palmer. Thomson was in an elite group of 25 who were asked by an American magazine to rank the 10 greatest players they had ever seen in action.

The proviso "seen" was crucial to the responses. For example, Bernhard Langer's 10 included Sam Snead, but omitted Ben Hogan. Gene Sarazen, on the other hand, included not only. Hogan and Snead, but Bobby Jones and Harry Vardon. Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of Sarazen's list, however, was that he named Greg Norman at number nine, presumably on the strength of having seen the Shark win the 1993 British Open at Sandwich.

During last year's US Masters, I was privileged to be among a small group of golf writers who had a very special interview with Jack Nicklaus. Asked to rate his all time best golfer, the great man replied: "Hogan was the best I've seen. I can't pass judgement on Jones since I never saw him. As for myself - that's for other people to judge."

As it happened, the various lists contained a total of 25 players with Hogan and Nicklaus each gaining eight number one votes. Snead, with three, was the only other player to receive first place votes. Though I never saw Hogan play, the list that appealed to me most was that by Peter Alliss, despite the absence of Palmer. It read: 1, Ben Hogan; 2, Jack Nicklaus; 3, Tom Watson; 4, Lee Trevino; 5, Seve Ballesteros; 6, Peter Thomson; 7, Bobby Locke; 8, Nick Faldo; 9, Raymond Floyd; 10, Gary Player.

A separate poll was held among the women players who, depending on age, favoured either Mickey Wright or Babe Zaharias for the number one position. Probably the most balanced list came from the former professional turned TV pundit, Judy Rankin. It read: 1, Mickey Wright; 2, Kathy Whitworth; 3, JoAnne Carner; 4, Nancy Lopez; 5, Pat Bradley; 6, Betsy King; 7, Beth Daniel; 8, Patty Sheehan; 9, Laura Davies; 10, Sandra Haynie.

IRISH venues dominate the list of the World's 50 Greatest Courses Outside the USA, compiled by Peter Dobereiner, the acknowledged doyen of British golf writers. It comes as no surprise to those of us familiar with his great affection for this country.

Indeed, Irish courses are first and last - Ballybunion topping the list and The European Club gaining inclusion at 50th. The top-20 are: 1, Ballybunion; 2, Royal Co Down; 3, St Andrews; 4, Muirfield; 5, Royal Melbourne; 6, Carnoustie; 7, Valderrama; 8, Durban CC; 9, Club zur Vahr (Germany); 10, El Saler; 11, Co Sligo; 12, Royal Portrush; 13, Sunningdale (New); 14, Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog, Dominican Republic); 15, Royal Dornoch; 16, Halnistad (Sweden); 17, Wairnkei (New Zealand); 18, Portmarnock; 19, Mid Ocean (Bermuda); 20, Elephant Hills (Zimbabwe).

Other Irish courses on the list are: 23, Waterville; 34, Co Louth; 41, Lahinch; 47, Killarney (Mahony's Point); 50, The European Club. Incidentally, in terms of assessing a course, Dobe-reiner delights in telling of the reaction of Gary Player after he had shot 59 at the Gaven CC in Rio de Janeiro. "I want to tell you that Gnvea is the toughest course you could imagine. It makes Pine Valley look like a muny (municipal)."

COMPANIES offering computer software and golf instruction technology, will be among 400 new exhibitors at the 43rd PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on January 26th to 29th. Much of the talk behind the scenes, however, will be by leading manufacturers on their strategy to beat the so called rip off merchants.

In this context, the most sinned against companies are, Callaway, Taylor Made and Cobra. According to Callaway's Irish agent, Alan Swan, the battle is gradually being won. "Most of the lookalike clubs emanate from Taiwan and mainland China and Callaway have already succeeded in closing down two production units," he said. "But brands such as Canterbury, Mercury, Trident, Big Brother and AFC are still being marketed here."

The general perception among golfers is that these "rip off" clubs represent splendid value for money. For instance, metal woods with graphite shafts can be bought for around £70, as opposed to £200 for a Callaway. According to Swan, they are grossly overpriced at that seemingly bargain price.

"The graphite shaft can be bought for about $6 and the whole club is coming into the industry for as little as £26," he claimed. "I would also emphasise that they have nothing whatever to do with the brands they are purporting to match."

But can one blame the average golfer for seeking a relatively cheap substitute when Callaway are so expensive? "The cost of our clubs can be justified on the basis of advanced technology and quality control," says Swan. "Huge investments are made in research and development and there are as many as 20 quality control steps, ranging from X rays to flex checks. An additional factor is that manufacturing costs are higher in the US than in the Far East."

IN THE sales business, it helps to have an angle. Pat Ruddy wasn't long in recognising the point when he entered the realm of golf course ownership. So it is that he is offering the novelty of three day - or as he likes to call it flexi time - membership of The European Club. The days, including one at the weekend, must be specified.

With full membership closed at 100 - "I hate the idea of a crowded links" - Ruddy will take in a further 50 members under this new scheme. It is based on the twin observations that the vast majority of club golfers don't play more than three times a week on their home course and that they can generally predict the days they will be in action.

Full membership at The European carried an entrance fee of £5,000. The three-day member will pay £3,000 followed by 80 per cent of the annual subscription - about £440. "It's a new concept, certainly for the game in this country and I believe golfers will find it attractive," said the commander in chief.

IN BRIEF: Clubs planning their competitive activities for the coming season are reminded of the inaugural, Ulster Bank sponsored Ladies Fourball Championship in which six member teams are comprised of three pairs. The deadline for entries is April 4th. For further information, freephone 1-800-224-455.

TEASER: Mairin Byrne, of Sutton GC, poses the following problem. A and B were playing a medal round. Both balls landed in a bunker that was marked "Out of play, drop in dropping zone." A lifted both balls out of the bunker and inadvertently exchanged them. They discovered on the green that A had played B's ball and B had played A's ball. What is the ruling?

This is a matter for the R and A. It has led me, however, to a decision on Rule 15. In strokeplay, A's ball and B's ball are in the same area on the putting green. A marks the position of and lifts, both balls with B's consent. When A replaces them they are inadvertently exchanged and A putts out from the right place with B's ball and vice versa. What is the ruling?

ANSWER: Each player is penalised two strokes under Rule 15-1. Because he authorised A to lift his ball, B cannot be exempted from penalty. (Rule 0-1)