ONE OF A KIND


60 YEARS ON, LIAM CONNOLLY LOOKS BACK AT THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OF 1953 AND THE VICTORY OF JOE CARR


IN THE LAST WEEK OF MAY 1953, there was considerable excitement and anticipation throughout the United Kingdom. However, it had more to do with the imminent coronation of Queen Elizabeth II rather than the 57th Amateur Championship being held at Hoylake (hosting the championship for the 13th time). The weather was expected to be


warm, dry and not too windy. Entrants to the championship were drawn from more than 8 countries and a total of 31 Americans travelled to play. The competitors included:


The “Bruen Loop” makes Jim Furyk’s swing look normal!


26 ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2013


★ BING CROSBY, the well known entertainer, who first hosted the “Crosby Clambake” in 1937 and this Pro-Am golf championship is still surviving today as the AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He was the father of Nathaniel Crosby who, at 19 years of age, won the U.S. Amateur in 1981. ★ BILL CAMPBELL, noted amateur golfer who won the U.S. Amateur in 1964 and subsequently went on to become President of the USGA and Captain of the R&A. ★ EDDIE LOWERY, once the 10 year old caddy to 20 year old Francis Quimet, victor in the never to be forgotten U.S. Open Championship of 1913 where his opponents in the play off were Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Lowery went on to be a highly successful golfer and


businessman. He was a close friend of Crosby. ★ FRANK STRANAHAN, winner of the Amateur in 1948 and 1950. He was also tied second in the Masters of 1947 and the Open Championships of 1947 and 1953 (behind Fred Daly and Ben Hogan, respectively). ★ JIMMY BRUEN, the boy wonder of the late 1930’s. He won the Boys Championship and the Amateur Championship at Birkdale in 1937 and 1947 respectively. He was immortalised for his golf swing and people still talk about the “Bruen Loop” which, apparently, makes Jim Furyk’s swing look normal! ★ CYRIL TOLLEY, the winner of the Championship in 1920 and 1929 who was still, 33 years later, good enough to


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