Blog – Page 18

So you think you’re nuts?

Meet Bob Fagan, Nut #3468, the Golf Nut Society’s All-time Leading Scorer with 122,289 Nut Points. Check this out…

Bob is the Golf Nut Society’s All-Time Leading Scorer and the only Nut who has over 100,000 Nut Points. The man is a prolific scorer. My favorite story is the time he played several courses in the Palm Springs area in a single day…in the summer in 100+ temperatures…and he walked. The following is a very long summary, leaving no doubt that he’s the real deal…

EXAMINATION SCORE: 17,861 Nut Points

BONUS POINTS: 104,428 Bonus Points

TOTAL: 122,289 Total Nut Points

Bonus Points Summary

Bob has been addicted to golf since 1962. His incredible golf exploits are even more unbelievable when measured against the fact that he has long suffered with severe hay fever (500 points) from April through July (he’s very allergic to grass as well as some tree pollens of all things.) He has also suffered from occasional painful foot problems (250 points), and is legally blind in his left eye (200 points). Not to mention that for most of his life, including the present, he has enjoyed only a modest income. His goal is to play 500 different (and new to him) golf courses in a single year, once he retires. Don’t bet against him.

Here is a summary of his insanity…

Has played over 1,641 golf courses in the United States. In doing so may have played with more different people on more different courses than anyone alive. The record is held by Ralph Kennedy, deceased in early 1950’s at over 3,000.) 10,600 Points
Has played more of the top ranked courses in America than anyone else – 650 of those currently in the Golfweek listing. The next closest Golfweek Panelist is reportedly more than 350 courses behind him. 1,650 Points
Has played all Top 100 American Courses on most lists. (He has not played all the brand new courses on some lists.) 1,000 Points
Played 98 of Golfweek’s 100 Best Classics; and 79 of the 100 Modern Classics in the current listing.
Has played more than an estimated 140 courses that are or have previously been on Top 100 Lists. 140 Points
At the age of 51, played 6 different 18-hole courses in 124 degree heat in Palm Springs in July in a single day. 624 Points
At the age of 48, played 6 different 18-hole courses in 114 degree heat in Palm Springs in July in a single day, while walking and carrying his bag on three of the rounds. And on the sixth and final course, Tamarisk CC, he had no drinking water and the clubhouse was closed. “It was like the Burma Death March,” said Bob 1,114 Points
Has played at least 100 new (never played before) courses per year since 1991. 1,991 Points
At the age of 43, played 7 different courses in one day in Northern Michigan while also driving 118 miles, plus spoke with teaching pro/architect, Rick Smith, for 15 minutes, and Director of Golf, Roger Jabarra for a similar amount of time. 718 Points
Additionally, he has played more than twenty different courses in 7 or less consecutive days on 8 occasions. 728 Points
Played five courses in one day three times. 503 Points
Has played four or more courses in a day more than thirty times; all since 1993, age of 43. 430 Points
Has played a round of golf in less than 80 strokes on a regulation course in less than 60 minutes while carrying his bag of 14 clubs/umbrella, and walking/running. 160 Points
Owns 319 golf caps. 319 Points
Has achieved the “Golf Nut Slam” by playing on Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spouse’s Birthday, plus Anniversary in a single year. 1,000 Points
Played in 65 mph winds and rain (was only group on course and umbrellas were destroyed) on the morning of his wedding (matched par). 650 Points
Played in 85 m.p.h. (gusts exceeding 100 m.p.h.) winds and had trouble keeping his bag on his shoulder, breathing, and dodging falling branches, and walking let alone anything else, but got in 9 holes. 385 Points
Playing in a Florida downpour with former touring pro and NCPGA President. Paul Wilcox Jr. at PGA Annual Meeting festivities at PGA – Reserve, they were so thoroughly drenched by the second tee that their clothes stuck to their bodies and you could practically see through them. Their partners deserted them 200 yards down the first fairway. Nevertheless, they continued the entire round through torrential rains as the only golfers. 218 Points
Priorities – In 2000 and 2001, he spent more money on caddies, carts, and green fees than he realized in total household income. 2,001 Points
Took a six-figure pay decrease to gain an entry level job with an airline so he could get travel privileges to play more courses outside his driving area. As a result, in 10 months in 2002 he took 29 different golf trips by airplane. 1,235 Points
After graduating first in his MBA class with the most lucrative starting job offer, he took a job as an Assistant Apprentice Golf Professional at a prestigious private club in Philadelphia at minimum wage. 500 Points
As an aspiring touring professional, had his only two potential sponsors die before committing to me. Ended up sponsoring himself with savings. He only lasted a brief season on J.C. Goosie’s Space Coast Mini-Tour. 502 Points
Drove solo from Williams, Arizona non-stop without sleep to Philadelphia to get in a round of golf at the Pine Valley Golf Club. 1,000 Points
Played 18 holes in 35 degree below zero wind-chill temperatures (-4 degrees F.) winning over $800 in bets while breaking par. 135 Points
Played in wind so strong in Las Vegas in 2002 that the ball was blown off of nearly every putting surface during the first of two rounds. Also, the temperature never got warmer than 34 degrees. Needless to say, he was the only person out on the 54-hole Paiute Golf Complex, playing two of the three courses. 254 Points
Played in wind so strong in Florida that it blew all the sand out of the bunkers closing the course afterwards and gave him and his playing partner wind and sand burns. 218 Points
Played 18 holes through a violent lightning storm in Park City, Utah. “Never again!” he recounted. “That would have qualified for a Darwin Award.” 218 Points
Routinely has played 18 holes in rain, snow, sleet and hail conditions. Has been the only golfer on the course in wind, rain, cold, heat, (combo) more than three dozen times. 360 Points
Has played and won two NiteLite golf tournaments. 200 Points
Won low gross in a 9-hole Mixed Nude Golf tournament (don’t ask about the trophy.) 109 Points
Once played through 12 groups in a single 18-hole round at the Shanty Creek Legends Course (He plays fast!) 512 Points
After playing Yale Univ. GC in the morning,, he got caught in a massive traffic jam, missing the ferry to get to Fishers Island, so he chartered a plane ride for the 1.5 mile distance to the Island and made his tee time. 515 Points
Has played Oakmont CC in Pittsburgh in a foursome (walking) while experiencing a 90 minute thunderstorm delay and then drove the length of Pennsylvania and got in a quick 18 (twosome walking) at Merion’s East Course outside of Philadelphia that same day. 290 Points
Driving between courses, he has played 18-hole rounds in Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe in the same day. 236 Points
Driving between courses, he has played 18-hole rounds in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the same day. 236 Points
Driving between courses, he has played 18-hole rounds in Portland and Seattle in the same day. 136 Points
Drove from Miami to Augusta, Georgia to play Augusta National for the first time only to discover that his “buddy” forgot to make arrangements to play. Turned around and played three courses on the way back to Florida, but missed Augusta.
Woke up early in Toronto, Canada, drove and played Oak Hill CC East Course in Rochester, NY with another golf nut. Was on the 16^th tee 60 minutes from aircraft takeoff, finished round, packed car, thanked professional, returned rental car and still caught flight to Long Island at which point he drove to and played both Piping Rock in a downpour and The Creek Club – all in the SAME DAY. 560 Points
Played one of the courses at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, WI in the morning, drove to Chicago and played Cog Hill #4 in the afternoon, got in the car and drove through the night, reaching Camargo in Cincinnati and was on the tee at 7 a.m. Watched a Reds’ baseball game that afternoon, and was home in California that evening, and at work at 7 a.m. the next morning. 736 Points
Played 26 top ranked courses in Michigan in a five-and-a-half-day period, while setting four course records, and driving more than 1,300 miles. One of his best golf weeks ever. 1,326 Points
In a seven day stretch, played 24 top ranked courses in Colorado together with a side auto trip to Sand Hills in Mullen, NB for 36 holes (shot one of his all-time bests 129 for 36 there with a bogey on the 36^th hole). 724 Points
Has struck all three of his sisters with golf shots (fortunately, none was seriously injured or physically scarred). 300 Points
Have richocheted balls off cars, a school bus, a police squad car, and homes as well as smashed a lamp and dented several ceilings while practicing indoors. 300 Points
Playing blindfolded, he played and defeated a blind golfer. “Neither of us were very good that day,” he recalled. 118 Points
Have played golf in tri-cornered hats, army helmets, flippers and masks, bathing suites, wet suites, and wigs. 200 Points
Have utilized water pistols, grease, fart machines, whistles, exploding golf balls, and various other items to play practical jokes on my golfing buddies. 200 Points
Impersonated a tour player to get into the Players’ Locker at the Florida Citrus Open and then found himself at the urinal between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. 502 Points
Not having credentials or a ticket, once talked himself into the second round of the 1997 Masters (as a spectator). 1,002 Points
Had peach cobbler next to Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen in the second floor dining room/veranda at Augusta National during The Masters. 250 Points
Recruited Hollis Stacy to Rollins College who later introduced him to his ex-wife. 100 Points
Have one ex-wife from a 19-year marriage and about 6 ex-girlfriends who didn’t share his passion for golf. 619 Points
Played four courses on his honeymoon. 400 Points
Dated a well-known LPGA Touring professional for two years. 200 Points
Though he lives in Northern California, he joined a golf dating service in Southern California to meet similarly interested ladies, met six women and dated three, and all are still friends. 306 Points
While playing golf in Savannah, picked up a book about Young Tom Morris in a major bookstore. Read the book and discovered the author happened to be local, Anne Kinsman Fisher. Looked her up and went out on two dates as well as met her step-father, Bob Thomas. Thomas grew up and caddied near Ben Hogan in Philadelphia and subsequently authored a book about him. 100 Points
Was the featured subject of a golf – sports page article written by Mark Soltau in the San Francisco Examiner about being a “golf nut” and “playing golf as if he’s being chased by the law”. 200 Points
Was the featured subject in a 5-page golf article by architect/writer Tom Doak for being “The Marathon Man.” 105 Points
During college sneaked on to Brunswick CC (GA) with a teammate for a round of 18-hole moonlight golf and finished the round at 5 a.m. as the maintenance crew was arriving. 118 Points
Sneaked onto Shinnecock Hills and then shot a 66 with a bogey on the last hole. 266 Points
Caddied for LPGA stars Kathy Whitworth and Betsy Cullen. 200 Points
George Knudsen let me hit his shag balls while at the Philadelphia Golf Classic and called him “little George”. 300 Points
Has hit full fairway woods and one-irons between sliding glass doors out of motel room into adjacent farm field (broke nothing) and wedges over 3-story motels into their swimming pool. 300 Points
Has played cross-town and country golf spanning more than five-mile distances. 105 Points
Played beach golf advancing a ball on the sand from Atlantic City, NJ to Margate, NJ, approximately 4 miles along the surf with one ball. 400 Points
While a professional, played 59 courses in 29 days starting in Miami and finishing in San Francisco (driving solo) and in the process had 19 consecutive rounds in the 60’s on courses that he had not before played including Pebble Beach, LA North, Pecan Valley, Pauma Valley, Torrey Pines South, and Cypress Point. It ended at Spyglass Hill when he was the only golfer who opted to play in wintry monsoon conditions and shot a 73. Tthe day after Spyglass, he was snowed out at The Olympic Club during a rare San Francisco snowfall in 1976. 590 Points
In November, 2002, twice drove 9 hours in one day to play a single golf course. 918 Points
Played two courses (90 minutes apart), had a two and a half hour lunch with Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. at their course, Coral Ridge Country Club, and attended the entire Super Bowl with tickets from the Joneses (Niners beat Chargers in Miami) all in the same day! 290 Points
Assisted Davis Love Jr. at Golf Digest Schools. 100 Points
When he turned professional, Davis Love, Jr. gave him his first and only formal golf lesson – an 18 hole playing lesson at the Atlanta Country Club. He mentioned that his two boys, particularly Trip (Davis Love III) showed quite a bit of promise for a ninth grader. 118 Points
Has a library of more than 2,820 golf books and have read nearly all of them (many several times). 2,820 Points
Has a computer inventory highlighting author, title, subject, date of issue and acquired, cost, value, etc. on each of his golf books. 282 Points
Has kept a written record of every 18-hole round that he’s ever played. 518 Points
Has an alphabetized collection of over 4,500 score cards. 1,450 Points
Has a collection of over 1,000 bag tags. 1,000 Points
Has an alphabetized collection of over 800 yardage books. 800 Points
Has a collection of more than 1,200 golf pencils of courses that he has played. 1,200 Points
Has a collection of more than 220 logo hats. 220 Points
Has a collection of more than 200 golf shirts not including more than 40 others he has given to his father. 240 Points
Has a logo ball collection. 300 Points
Has a collection of 403 golf videos spanning instruction, mental, courses, and history. 1,403 Points
Wonder where the combs went? He has a collection of over 300 logo club combs from men’s locker rooms of many of the country’s most prestigious clubs. 300 Points
He has taped the four majors every year since the VCR was first invented. 400 Points
Has a collection of 84 “conventional” putters (none of them worked.) 84 Points
Owns 13 long putters. “They work better than the short idiot sticks!” he commented. 130 Points
Owns 91 wedges. 910 Points
Has purchased at least 10 infomercial clubs or practice devices. 110 Points
Keeps clubs and a virtual locker in the trunk of his car in case of an emergency. 200 Points
Has a collection of more than 32 drivers including two 50” drivers. 132 Points
Currently owns 14 sets of irons. 114 Points
Subscribes to over 20 golf magazines. 220 Points
Keeps back issues of Golf, Golf Digest, Golf Journal, Met Golfer, NCGA Magazine, Golf For Women, The Golfer, Fore, Executive Golfer, Golf Today, and has a collection of all Golf World, Golf Digest, and Golf Magazine issues dating back to the 70’s. 1,070 Points
Has a collection of more than 125 club histories. 525 Points
Wrote a tutorial on the “Concepts of Golf Course Architecture” as a high school student 200 Points
Published “A 75-Year History of the Northern California PGA. 575 Points
Wrote a thesis on “Marketing & the Golf Shop” for his MBA program. 500 Points
Authored a book on “Hawaii Golf” for Foghorn Press. 500 Points
Co-Authored 2 editions of “California Golf” 502 Points
Co-Authored “California Golf Survival Guide” and a second edition. 200 Points
Beginning a book with golf photographer Joann Dost on Courses in Northern California. 100 Points
Lead writer for “intheloopgolf.com website 300 Points
Drafted golf’s first truly fine art book with Joann Dost entitled “Golf In The Forest” about the golf on the Monterey Peninsula. 250 Points
Drafted a book along the lines of Darwin’s “Golf in the British Isles”, entitled “Classic Courses of America” detailing a first-person actual visit to more than 150 of America’s best courses built before 1960. 300 Points
Drafted Bob Fagan’s “American Golf Course Book of Lists” that has 193 different lists about golf courses, clubs, holes, etc. 593 Points
Writing “The Little Black Book of Golf Secrets.” 100 Points
Columnist for Golf Today Magazine (approximately 28 articles). 280 Points
Contributor to Golf For Women Magazine. 100 Points
Contributor to Golf Magazine. 100 Points
Contributor to Northern California Golf Association Magazine (27 articles). 270 Points
Member – Golf Writer’s Association of America. 100 Points
Member – California Golf Writers Association. 100 Points
Publisher/Editor NCPGA “Tee Shots” from 1992-98. 598 Points
Current Course Rater – Golfweek Magazine. 500 Points
Golf Digest Course Rater – 1993-98. 500 Points
Television Golf Course “Spotter” – Hughes Sports Network (1970’s). 197 Points
Set up a nationwide distribution network to sell an upscale golf magazine (1970’s). 500 Points
Sold putters to golf shops (1970’s). 200 Points
Assistant Golf Professional (1970’s). 200 Points
During one season teaching at a private club, had 4 pupils win state or city titles and had members from 18 other clubs coming to him for lessons. 400 Points
Has attended Dave Pelz short-game school. 300 Points
Has organized clinics and given lessons to the deaf and the wheelchair-bound, and other physically challenged golfers. 200 Points
Executive Director of the Northern California PGA (1991-98). 800 Points
VP of Marketing and Sales for a golf equipment company. 500 Points
Helped raise over $28 million to build the world’s first personal services robot, a golf caddie. In conjunction with that project, he played golf with golf writers, James Achenbach (Golfweek) and Susan Fornoff (SF Examiner) and was mentioned in their articles. 528 Points
His book reviews have been quoted on dust jackets and Amazon.com. 200 Points
President/COO for a Golf Internet Software company that handled tournament event planning. 500 Points
President/CEO for a golf media advertising company. 500 Points
Organizing a national distribution force for a water conservation product for golf courses. 100 Points
Sponsor of Allen Junior Golf Program (minority junior golf). 100 Points
Board Member – Golf Advertising Ventures, Inc. 100 Points
Golf Expert Witness in California Superior Court and Nevada – 10 cases. 510 Points
Consultant to over 60 private clubs and golf facilities regarding course design, business practices, service, safety, golf pro selection and contracts. 600 Points
Advisory Board Member for Alameda Junior Golf Foundation. 100 Points
Advisory Board Member and Contributor to “Total Quality in Golf”. 100 Points
College Lecturer on Golf Marketing, Golf Careers, and Service. 200 Points
Have spoken at Regional Club Manager Association Meetings. 100 Points
Have spoken at Regional Golf Course Superintendent Meetings. 100 Points
Passed USGA/PGA Rules School. 100 Points
Attended Henry-Griffitts Club-Fitting School. 100 Points
Helped establish two chapters of the Executive Women’s’ Golf League in Northern California. 200 Points
Initiated and championed the Women Pros vs. Women Amateur Cup Matches in Northern California. 200 Points
Attended “Women in Golf Summit”. 100 Points
Attended “Golf & The Environment” Seminar. 100 Points
Hosted a national “PGA Teaching Summit”. 100 Points
Attended a USGA Annual Dinner. 100 Points
Attended 8 PGA National Annual Meetings. 108 Points
Attended 23 PGA Shows. 1,023 Points
Spokesperson for Golf For the Deaf on The Discovery Channel. 100 Points
Golf Contributor to KNBR – Sports Talk Radio in San Francisco. 200 Points
Passed PGA Business School & Playing Test. 500 Points
Honorary Life Member of the Saddle Creek Golf Club. 100 Points
Member, USGA Members Club. 100 Points
Member, Donald Ross Society. 100 Points
Member, Shivas Irons Society. 100 Points
Co-founder of the Northern California Golf Foundation. 500 Points
Captain of College, Club, and Junior Club Golf Teams. 300 Points
Senior PGA Tour Winner Al Kelley, Jr. was his college team coach. 100 Points
Won a net club tournament while having to add shots with a “plus 3” handicap – plus 4 was my lowest. 104 Points
Had six hole-in-ones and have witnessed 11 by other playing companions. 6,000 Points
Helped design Saddle Creek Golf Club which was the top ranked best course west of the Mississippi by Golf Digest the year it opened.
Have attended seven Masters tournaments driving non-stop through the night back and forth to Augusta, Georgia from southeastern Pennsylvania. 700 Points
Had one of the most exclusive spectator points at The Masters…the 9^th at the adjoining exclusive Augusta Country Club. One year, flew from California, watched the tournament in the morning, got on the Country Club in the afternoon, and paused while playing the 9^th to peek through the fence and catch the action from behind the 12^th green and 13^th tee, a vantage point that Masters Patrons never see. 900 Points
Close to history…laid on the ground no more than 3 feet from Lee Trevino’s feet as he hit his tee shot on the 72^nd hole of the 1971 US Open at Merion. Was within a few feet of Nicklaus as he hit his 2^nd and 3^rd shots (the famous 1-iron) to the 72^nd green of the 1967 US Open at Baltusrol. 500 Points
One of his most embarrassing moments involved his only time hitting a wrong golf ball. He was a guest at the Interlachen CC in Winter Park, FL. He sliced into an adjacent fairway and quickly advanced a fairway wood back to his par-five hole only to be confronted by none other than Davey Johnson, former Major League Baseball Player and Manager who was playing a high stakes money game and Bob had hit Davey’s ball. He was very nice about the mistake however. 200 Points
Another embarrassing moment for him – one of the country’s self-described “fast players” (polo golfers) and a decent player. He was waved through by a threesome of average golfers early in the round on a par-3 at Shadow Ridge in Palm Springs, and proceeded to shank a 7-iron into a waste area, chili-dip the next shot, and blade the next one over the green. The three probably thought they made a mistake and promptly left him behind, continued playing, and never allowed him through. After finishing the 9^th, he beat them to the 10^th tee. Upon seeing him on the back of that tee, they drove past him and skipped the hole just to stay ahead of him. “Never let a chop play through,” he recalled wryly. 300 Points
During a practice round of the Space Coast Mini-Tour at Colony West CC in February, 1976 (of the persimmon era), he witnessed Big Cat Williams longest drive ever at sea-level. It was the dead flat, almost straight, 444 yard 4^th and Bob was just walking off the green when he heard a thump. Williams’ tee shot had carried onto the soft fringe and released onto the putting service. There was no wind and the temperature was in the low 60’s. (Bob later confirmed this experience with him.) 144 Points
Had the opportunity to chauffeur the late golf legend, Paul Runyeon, for more than an hour after a clinic at Silverado CC in Napa, CA. 160 Points
Had the opportunity to play the famed Bel Air Country Club with none other than its renowned pro, Eddie Merrins, and aspiring touring pro, Bob May (later 2000 PGA Runner-up to Tiger Woods). They had to wait on the 1^st tee to let Jack Lemon and his son get off in front of them and got to chat with the actor several times. 318 Points
During teenage years, his practice range time from the regular tees was restricted because he tore up too much turf. He was relegated to the opposite end of the range. 200 Points
Had lunch at a table of eight with Julie Inkster, Tom Lehman, and PGA President, Ken Lindsey. 200 Points
Had dinner with Hale Irwin and Dan Forsman. 200 Points
Had lunch with PGA Tour Commissioner, Deane Beman. 200 Points
Had breakfast with Andy Williams at the La Quinta Resort clubhouse. 200 Points
Julius Boros, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, and Gary Player were his idols growing up. He got to play 18 holes with young Guy Boros who a few weeks later contended in the Colonial Invitational. “He played and acted very much like his Dad, recounted Bob. 118 Points
Arnold Palmer wrote a letter of recommendation for Bob to attend Wake Forest University, and Bob later watched a Super Bowl in a room with The King. 500 Points
Personally got Ben Hogan’s autograph, a rare feat indeed! 500 Points
Paid his own way to cover and write about the PGA Championship, Tour Championship, CPC Championship, and numerous LPGA events, Tour and Senior Tour Events. 500 Points
Through my time in the game, have had to chance to meet and spend time – in addition to those already mentioned – with Patty Berg, Sam Snead, Frank Beard, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Dinah Shore, Pat Summerall, Tom Doak, Jane Blalock, Jim Colbert, Skee Reigel, John Facenda, Harry Kallas, Richie Ashburn, David Graham, Vida Blue, Bob Toski, Doug Ford, Laura Baugh Cole, Jim Flick, Arthur Hills, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Kyle Phillips, Gary Player, Jan Beljan, Don Knotts, Joe Dye, Pete Dye, Perry Dye, Billy Casper, Jan Stephenson, Herbert Warren Wind, Peter Tufts, Grant Spaeth, Sandy Tatum, Ken Venturi, Jay Sigel, Tiger Woods, Bill Hyndman, Ben Crenshaw, Jim Awtrey, Jim Achenbach, Art Rosenbaum, Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford, Roone Arledge, Fred Corcoran, LeRoy Nieman, David Fay, Jim Flick, Bob Toski, Peter Kostis, Ben Doyle, Jim McLean, Hal Greer, Michael Jordan, Rick Barry, John Smoltz, Dale Hauerchuck, Alex Migilny (sp.), Jim Kaat, Brent Jones, Dick Butkus, RC Owens, Dwight Hicks, Helen Alfredson, Mark Soltau, Mario Lemiux, Dick Butkus, OJ Simpson, Chuck Bednarik, Joe Torre, Evan Lendl, Brian Morgan, Alice Cooper, Mike Klemme, Joann Dost, Bill Walsh, Joe Capp, Craig Morton, Charlie Owens, RC Owens, Art Spander, Scot Hoch, Roger Maltby, Dick Lotz, Patty Sheehan, Bill Strasbaugh, Bob Drum, Jerry Mowlds, Muffin Spencer-Devlin, Donna White, D.A. Weibring,, Dick Smith, Jack Connelly, Gary Schaal, MJ Orender, Dick Lotz, Bob Lunn, Lorne Rubenstein, Brad Klein, Johnny Pott, Tom Addis III, Bob Murphy, Simon Hobday, Bob Drum, Johnny Miller, Ted Kroll, and others. 2,000 Points
Was visiting Ralph Hutchison – the late pro at Saucon Valley and red-coated announcer at The Masters – at his home in Philadelphia. One of his claims to fame was that he introduced Winnie Walzer to Arnold Palmer. While Bob and Ralph were going through his scrapbooks and memorabilia from Harold Hughes, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Hutchinson got two phone calls. He was too busy to exchange anymore than pleasantries with the two callers and said to Bob, “You talk to them”. The first caller was Joe Dey of USGA and PGA Tour fame. The second was the former President, Richard Nixon. Bob continued the pleasantries with “How’s it going?” 500 Points
Growing up and learning golf out in the country of rural southeastern PA, he developed his game in a cow pasture by placing balls on top of fresh cow pies. It was particularly good for fairway bunker practices as he learned not to dig too deep on those long iron shots. Early on, he went home with some pretty messy clothes! 200 Points
When the local country club was closed on Mondays, a group of neighborhood kids would get into the clubhouse and invented a tag game that they played in the men’s locker room. They’d run around inside the clubhouse and the bases or safety zones were the lockers with the member’s names starting with a certain letter of the alphabet. 100 Points
Was a good enough player and ball striker, but a terrible enough putter to earn the reputation of being the “Second Worst Putter in the History of Philadelphia Golf” – could write a book on more about that. Fortunately, he improved greatly with the long putter and when he moved to the West Coast, his reputation stayed back East. 200 Points
Like Bernhard Langer, he conquered the “yips” twice. In doing so, subjected himself to hypnosis, special diets, special exercises, every imaginable grip and stance, vitamins, eyes closed, left-handed, and more than 80 putters. 502 Points
Tied a misbehaving putter to the trunk of his car and dragged it along the highway for an 18-mile trip home from the course. 118 Points
Started putting with a long putter in the mid-80’s well ahead of most everyone else. 280 Points
Hunting golf balls on the Palm Course at Disney World in the early 70’s, he quickly pocketed over 200 balls in less than an hour. Then he came upon about eight balls all in a neat pile. Upon looking closer, he realized that a snake was encircling them, and hanging above her were 3 to 5 more snakes. He decided that he didn’t need the balls that badly. 200 Points
Had the proverbial “ball in the air” as the millenium passed, but how many golfers do you know that started 2000 with a broken window from it? 1,002 Points
Has found as many as 58 balls on a single hole while playing golf in the desert. 58 Points
Has found more than 8 dozen balls on a course while playing – twice. 192 Points
Has broken 80 playing with only a putter. 80 Points
Has matched par playing a course backwards. 72 points
Has broken par in a 4-club tournament. 104 Points
Playing a Pictionary/Charade type of game in a swimming pool with a fellow golf architecture nut, they would hint about famous holes by making different motions in the water. Incredibly, they both identified almost every hole! 100 Points
Has two cats; one named “Hogan” and the other “Nicklaus”. 200 Points
Has picked up more than 125 cigarette and cigar butts around the first tee of a private golf club. 125 Points
Witnessed two all-out fistfights on the course. Both instances included golf pros – one a Masters Champ! 200 Points
Has repaired more than fifty ball marks several times on a single green. 50 Points
Each year, he caddies for minority girls playing their first 9-hole round of golf – ages 8-11. 109 Points
Has caddied triples, playing the back nine with the golfers’ clubs. 309 Points
During high school/college, he used to caddie for the owner of the company where he worked. On the back nine, the owner would claim that, “Even my caddie could beat you,” whereupon Bob would play in with his customers and join them in the bar for drinks and dinner at the local country club. 109 Points
Had a hole-in-one at the Northern California Golf Association Annual Meeting while playing with Paul Spengler, VP of Golf, Pebble Beach, John Zoeller, the former Exec. Dir. of the NCGA, and the late Ty Caplin, former President of the Northern California PGA. Since there were more than 500 attending and spread out among five courses, and that the hole was a temporary one of 210 yards so it was quietly decided that Bob didn’t have to buy everyone drinks – fortunately. 210 Points
One time (1983), he had a management consulting assignment to Chicago and a round at Medinah #3 planned. Unfortunately, on his way out, his clubs were forever lost. Worse, his bag contained a Wilson 8802 putter, a Tommy Armour 693 Driver, a MacGregor Hogan 4-wood, a Wilson R-90 sand wedge, and my favorite set of early 1970’s Wilson Staff irons that I had used as a playing professional, all in excellent condition. No golf, no Medinah #3, and no clubs! 500 Points

Note: This is only a summary of Mr. Fagan’s bonus points, it is not a complete compilation. Scary…

The Head Nut

#0001

The Great Golf Nut Cap Count Championship

And the winner is…

Fair Warning

Dear Head Nut

Remembering Ben Hogan

Great Golf Nut Moments

Priorities

Nut Case #0186

Bunker Practice

Meet Your All-Time Leading Scorer