OCR Text |
Show rV TM-- V w"i "or 'yr' W r w r vT NT The Little Rascal of Utah Golf ' .. Last Thursday morning this was relayed to James Blair as he sat at a table beside the swimming pool at tne Patio Springs Country Club in Eden Blair laughed and jumped to his feet in a burst of youthful energy A lot of people say I'm cocky. There's a big difference between being cocky and having confidence. Now, you know whos going to win the State Amateur and I know whos going to win the State Amateur. So, does that make me cocky9 No," he answered his own 17. started hadnt wasnt womed But when Steve got close and I heard that Arlen (Peacock) was just a stroke behind after 18, the challenge 1 ! - I ; i question If you say you can beat someone and then you go out and beat him, does that make you cocky? No. That just means you are stating a fact and have confidence. And I'm honest and confident," he said. 4 That's Right Confident! If you followed James Blair around the course and just kept your eyes on the ball, you would visualize a much older swinger. 1 Confident! - If il .. boyish hadn't been for way he mouthed bottle of Pepsi and obvious youthfulness of birds in the bikinis who kept ; " walking past the table and .smiling at him, the words could have been spoken by a golfer with years of tough interviews in the PGA press .tent backing him up. But, looking at the fluidity of his swing and listening to the smooth flow of his words, you get the full impression of just what James Blair is. " Hes the best golfer ever developed here. And he might be the best 5 ft. 6 in., 127 pound golfer anywhere. Was Nervous Blair started playing golf when a neighbor across the street in Ogden and he decid-e- d to try it one day. They -- r went to Golf City, a par-- 3 i , -- to slip. Actually, I hit the ball well until the 14th where I hit two good shots and, after that hole I ; in Ogden, and played every day. Then they moved to El Mome and then James parents ALIGNMENT TIRE TRUING on its the State Amateur and Ive never played Wasatch gcod. It is one of my worst courses. Im going to e practice there with Joey Bons-ignor- and John Evans, but I just cant play that course. Tribune James Blair at 18 is rated one of Utah's best amateur golfers and he says he Is already keyed bought a membership at Patio Springs. That was the start for me. Playing Patio Springs helped me develop my game in a way I never could have done at El Monte or any other municipal course. Patio Springs is the toughest course m the state that also rewards you for good shots and that has been a tremendous help to me, he said. At 14 he started playing in amateur tournaments, going with adults, many times Bar-n- e James of Tooele, Jack Ridd and Jack Noble of the Copper Club. James, one of his earliest boosters, was with him when he won his first title in A flight. He was just a kid and really nervous when playing with adults. He was apprehensive and was really happy when any of the older players were friendly. When he won that title in A flight, I walked the last four holes with him trying to settle him down. But he was so nervous he the last hole. Gradually he developed the confidence playing with adults that he had playing against kids his own age. Now he has confidence and he has the game to back it up. He just seemed to improve overnight. It seemed like from one week to the next he was hitting the ball 30 yards farther. Ill always remember when we went to Price and played in the Carbon Best Ball. In the car on the way down he looked at me and said, We ll beat Noble and Ridd. Dont Y.W.C.A. svv im classes The next session of children's Swim Classes al the Salt Lake Y.W C.A. will begin Monday, July 16. 122 EAST 3RD SO. 6 v 4 V; Johnson for play in Utah State Amateur which will be played at rugged Wasatch State Park this week. A. where I go, and I have great confidence in it. My worst club is the wedge. I have no confidence in it. Im bttle and not as long off the tee or fairway as a lot of guys, but Id to the rather have a full or green or a than I would a wedge. I can hit as close with my as most guys can with their wedge, so why should I worry about it? i V ijJs I By Feel I 1 play everything by feel. Thats why I was really sur- prised to read in your story that Johnny Miller panicked when he left his slips with the yardage listed on them in his motel the third round of the U.S. Open. I never measure the yardage. I can tell if its a to the green and I or a can usually tell if the pin is at the back or the middle or the front of the green and I just take the club and hit. V- - Maybe the day will come when Ill have to know the yardage and the club, but I cant imagine it. I even putt by feel by feel with my feet. James Blair smiles as he talks about golf and (act he plays the game just bv feel. worry about it. And we did. If anything, now, he might be a little overconfident. Hed take on Nicklaus and Palmer in best ball if he had the chance, the Tooele veteran said. Needs Challenge Yea, I was nervous and scared at first, but I got used to it. Thats why I think playing against adults was a good idea. Now I have a hard time getting up for just any tournament. I get psyched for the State Amateur, Im already up for that one, but reg- ular tournaments are just other round of golf. Thats an- why going to college is so important for me. I ncjd the challenge. I can usually play up to my competition I . staff photo bv Lvnn R. fry p four-putte- d CMMTCAtDSACCIFTTO U4 after three or four months "A lot of people don't beand I hope I can do the same lieve this, but I do. Thats at BYU. Ive wanted to go to why if I seem to take a long BYU for the last three or four time stuttering my feet on a years. They have such great puti its because I'm getting golfers. I dont know if I can the feel. I know how to read a make the team. I know Ive green and plumb line and all got to go to work because Im that, but I get the break with not that bright. my feet. Now some people beIts funny, I never could lieve me, but not many. win in junior golf, not as And Im regarded as a much as in amateur. Well, I good putter. Thats why I won did win one that I wan ed, the Salt Lake City Amateur last year in the State Junior and thats another tournament at Nibley, but I was six back I got up for. I rate it as the with five holes to play and I second most important tournagot lucky. ment. The State Amateur is Ive got to admit Im a No. 1 and the City Amateur No. 2. 1 got up for it. lucky golfer. I think lucky. You've got to think lucky to And you'll remember tliat win in golf Stubby (Jack Steve Sharp was hitting the Ridd) taught me that. He's ball jfist super, but wasn't putthe most positive thinker in ting. I wasnt hitting the ball golf Ive ever met. He knows good at all, but I kept knock- that he might stub the ball jng jn those putts and thats along, but then hell get it in what counted. when it counts and I think the I knew Id eat Bonneville same way. up that second day, but it was My driver is my favorite almost too easy. Thats why I club. I take it with me every- - got careless and the lead Last year in the State Amateur at Patio Arlen beat me by keeping the pressure on and when I hit that perfect shot to the green on 18 it bounced 15 feet in the air and went over, well, that was tough. I had a hard time with the pressure last year, but 1 think can this star said. year, the teen-agLooks Back Then Blair fidgeted in the chair and looked at the swimmers in the pool. I can remember when 1 couldnt sleep two nights before a junior tournament. Now I only get excited about the State Amateur and the City Amateur. I used to have a bad temper, too, but I'm learning to control it. Arlen and Stubby have taught me that everyone misses a shot sometimes and that its only a golf shot, that you can make it up on the next hole or the next round. I think there are many good golfers around now, but Im like Paul Langager. He used to be confident and I used to caddy for him and want to play like him. I am confident like him and I hope I can back it up like he could. I guess youd say I'm lippy. But not on the course. If I were at a basketball game and someone said something to me, Id give him some lip, but not on the golf I handle it e lucky in golf. But I sav$ James Blair. got to admit lucky all the tin it went up in a tree about feet and stuck. It was a tree with thorns on it and 1 was wearing shorts and had to climb up the tree and get it. It was really painful. You can still see the scars," and he pulled up his pant leg 25 SAILBOATS r 1 0-- 1 By APPOINTMENT mi fl IF INLAND YACHT SALES SILVER SANDS MARINA GREAT SALT LAKE Blown-I- n Insulation Special Keep Your Home Cooler For Only 8 Sq. Ft. Deep Help keep the sun's rays out! At this surprisingly low price you can reduce the heat up to 20 this Accessories Avai- lable. Use Sears Easy Payment Plan Sears Murray Fashion Place Mall sears, roebuck and co. 0; SUNDAY 1 0-- 7 Salt Lake Sears Sears Sears Sears Logan i . fie im Aafi&fiirtlm atrayi V :fl-FULL-- PLY tlYLOIl CORD a BLACKWALLS V Reg. 19.94-6.50- x13 folfo Plus F.E.T. 1.73 Each MOUNTED FREE I NO TRADE-I- REQUIRED N 2.44 MORE EACH All Tires Plus F.E.T. Special $24.95 Bloomington Resort Fun Package! '7'" JO Ogden Provo SUN., MON., TUES., WED. TV" Vk insola- Normal summer! tion WHITEWALLS s 4s. 277-993- 3 Large Selection of Sailboat Hardware & Accessories IS 4 CRUISES FREE DEMONSTRATION course. OPEN DAILY RANGER STARDANCER I stopped So, throwing clubs. And, as fer being lippy, Joey (Bonsignore) and John (Evans) theyve got the right answer. They jus look at me and say, Shut up until youre spoken to. And I dont throw clubs anymore. I learned the other day. I was playing Logan with some friends on the goat holes. I hit a drive that was bad and I didnt really throw the club, I just let it keep going on the follow through, and he went through the motion of swinging and watching the dub fly. SANTANA CLIPPER '..kl 1 Y-. it going got State Amateur PACK'S ALIGNMENT I' I i rf Now TIRES BALANCED MUFFLERS & BRAKE SERVICE 2nd Wut Fhina and helped again with that long putt SHOCKS 111. ' J i By Manon Dunn Tribune Sports Writer A couple of years ago a et-- . eran golf observer watched some young players in an amAfter a ateur tournament while he shook his head, grinned and said admiringly, Ya know, if that Blair kid had another ounce of confi-dencc he d walk on water." , I Master of the Confidence Game James Blair - ' 15, 1973 The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, July 1 I) ? ''"W .. 'v Overnight accommodations for two a luxurious Bloomington townhouse. Free swimming in an Olympic-S'z- e pool. Free tennis. Ask about FREE golf otter. in OYERLGAD s - i C VEa. INCLUDED SERVICES: Clean and inspact condenser (external) 2. Check hoses and switches 3. Adjust belts tor proper tension 4. Inspect system for Freon leaks 5. Test cooling efficiency 1 For more information mail the coupon or call collect BLOOMINGTON (801) 673-469- " 4 Days front or f 1 rear. Fit most U.S. cars. JUST SAY, "CHARGE IT" Spring-assiste- BLOOMINGTON is located just 3 miles from St George, in the heart ot Utah's scen-color country. A mild winter climate, and plenty of year round recreation. await you at one ot America's finest resort conmumt es v SHOCKS Reg. 13.97 Special package rates are offered only on present I on or ment on of this ai Package plan subject to ava ab My of accommodations , Freon, parts, and additional services etra - Vy Bloomington Reg. 20.96 Bloomington 3 Star Route St George Ulan 84770 P'ease send me mo'e information aocut B'oommglon YEARS tVERr FAINT JOB GUARANTEL0 FOR AGAINST )0B FADES WITHIN 5 TEARS WE Will REPAINT TOUR IF ANT FAINT ABSOIUTELT FREE. FADING CAR - for lasting power. Fits most U.S. cars. INSTALLED FREE Quality-engineere- Mil C011DITI011ER SERVICE ITII BATTERY 25.44 -- 4 Days d Reg. t (TQQ 1 1.404 Keep your outo air Days con- ditioner working ot its Cu1i best iwrwnii H97 & Charqa It jni fiinmiiui w Natre AcfcJrpss . 4670 City Stale. Z'P- HOUSS 1489 S. s A Ap 4 A MON AM l. STATE ST. 487-323- 1 TO 6 FAA SAT. 4949 S. (Camr 8 AM TO II NOON STATE ST. 262-298- 4 n A Stott, Murray, Utah) S. 9th 4100 EAST 2622683 REDWOOD RD. 2991775 VI A. ,. 4- -- S. 4 2705 PARLEYS WAY 484-324- 1 1 |