Paul Runyan the Short
Game Magician
Has anyone ever heard of Paul Runyan? Well Paul Runyan was and is considered one of the greatest short game players and gurus that has ever graced the game of golf.
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Runyan started out as a caddie and then an apprentice at a golf course in his hometown, before turning pro at age 17. He was head professional at a Little Rock Club by age 18. Runyan served as head pro at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, New York from 1931 to 1943 during which time he won both of his PGA Championships.
Tour winner
Three years later, Runyan defeated Wood in extra holes in the title match of the 1934 PGA Championship, the first of his two PGA Championships. Of Runyan's 29 career PGA Tour wins, 16 of them came in 1933 and 1934, and his nine wins in 1933 make him one of only seven golfers to win nine or more times in one year on the PGA Tour. In the first Masters Tournament in 1934, he was paired for the first 36 holes with tournament host Bobby Jones. Runyan won the tour money title in 1934, and was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1933 and 1935.
Runyan was competitive for many years; he won the PGA Championship again in 1938 and led the U.S. Open after three rounds as late as 1951. In the finals of his 1938 PGA, Runyan defeated Sam Snead 8 and 7, the most lopsided title match ever in the event, conducted as match play through 1957. This was despite Snead's vastly greater length off the tee, as much as 75 yards (70 m) per hole.[1]
Fellow golfers nicknamed him "Little Poison" (a take on 1930s baseball player Lloyd Waner, who had the same nickname), primarily because he did not drive the ball very far, but also because he had a terrific short game. Runyan had worked tirelessly on his short game from boyhood, since he realized early on if he were to succeed in golf, he had to compensate for his lack of length. Runyan opined that he is the smallest player in golf history who had significant success, although Fred McLeod had a fine record, too, and stood only 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) and weighed a paltry 108 lb (49 kg; 7.7 st).
Master teacher
Runyan's teaching progess led many top pros to him over his 75 years of teaching, including Gene Littler, Phil Rodgers, Chuck Courtney, Frank Beard, Jim Ferree and Mickey Wright. Golf Magazine wrote: "... since the late 1930s, he has probably been the most influential short game instructor. Untold thousands have been taught his methods for putting and chipping." Runyan wrote an influential book outlining his short-game methods, The Short Way to Lower Scoring. In 2000, he astoundingly completed the annual Par 3 competition held one day before the Masters at the age of 91. He died in Palm Springs, California. Enjoy watching Mr Runyan's coaching video. No matter what level golfer you are this information is absolutely priceless.
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*This information was taken from Wikipedia.
Graham named as Vice Captain elect
Graham Freer who is the Commander of the new “Bluelight” Emergency Service Hub now at an advanced stage of construction in Milton Keynes, has been named as Vice Captain elect of the Club.
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Graham plays off eight and in my opinion is one of the nicest guys you would ever wish to meet. He has been a club member for almost 20 years and has been named by current Vice Captain Simon Rossiter as his successor, a nomination which will be put to members at the club AGM in January, after which Simon will be installed as Club Captain for 2020.
Says Simon: “Graham is an excellent choice as not only is he a much respected golfer, but he has served on the club management committee both as Chair of House and Competitions Secretary. He is a dedicated and supportive clubman and will be a wonderful ambassador for Leighton Buzzard Golf Club and the sport as a whole.”
Essex-born Graham has been in the Fire Service for 24 years and is currently overseeing the completion of the multi-million pound Bluelight Hub which will house a 40-strong fire, police and ambulance complement to serve west Milton Keynes and Bletchley when it’s completed next March.
On the competition front
Peter Myrants Leighton Seniors Squad has not yet lost at home – but have yet to win away. Only skipper Myrants, Graham Pellow, Martin Broadley and Terry Wright won for Leighton in a 5-2 defeat at Buckingham, with Tim Martin and Denis Leitch halving their match. They went down 4-3 at John O’Gaunt, with wins by Keith Griffiths and Graham Robinson, and Tim Martin and Mike Turnock supported by halves by skipper Myrants and Gerry Ferris, John Bettle and Martin Broadley and Derek Read and Ian Rimmer.
Their winning home form continued with a 5-3 victory over Chiltern Forest. Back-to-back wins by Tim Martin and Andrew McDonald, Ian Rimmer and David Sweetnam, Gerry Ferris and Trevor Stimpson and David Bishop and Graham Robinson got Leighton off to a flying start. But it needed half-point ties by Graham Avery and Danny Nairne and Keith Griffiths and David Roberts to secure the winning margin.
But there was no joy at Stowe on Wednesday, with Leighton losing the last inter-club match to be played on the current course 6-2. Only Trevor Stimpson and Ron Burgoyne won for Leighton with David Roberts and David Newby and Iam Rimmer and David Bishop securing halves.
Peter's home fortunes continued when he won the Seniors Tucker Cup with 43 points, beating Nigel Barnes by a shot. Denis Leitch, Derek Browning and Robbie John led a chasing pack with 40 points, one clear of David Roffe and Jeff Wood.
Brandon Sanders won Leighton’s June Medal with a nett 64, three shots clear of Paul Ahmet, Peter Sheridan and John Smith. Other leading scores: 68 – Paul Atkinson; 69 – Dharm Naveen Diwakar, Andrew Hall, Graham Freer, Billy O’Neill; 70 – Gregory Driscoll, Bryan Pratt.
Oonagh Russell won Leighton Ladies June Stableford with 37 points, beating Maggie Shaw by a shot. Jackie Phelps was the top Silver Division player with 32 points pipping Nicki Clarke, while Lila Garrod carded 32 points to top the Bronze “B” Division, and Christine Bateman finishing runner-up.
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