Douglass One Of Handful To Play In 1969 PGA Championship

By Ken Klavon, USGA

Kettering, Ohio – Dale Douglass sat in a chair on the driving range Monday, taking a break from a rather mundane practice session.

The humid and sweltering conditions had taken a toll on the already-fatigued Douglass, who flew by private plane Sunday from the British Senior Open in Scotland. The 1986 U.S. Senior Open champion had a better reason for relaxing in a white folding chair, several feet away from his clubs that were immersed among range balls. He was simply trying to take in the surroundings and recall what he could from his last visit here.

This week Douglass will be one of four players in the field who played in the 1969 PGA Championship, which was held on NCR's South Course. Raymond Floyd, who won the tournament, Dave Stockton and Arnold Palmer are the others.

"I don't have many memories since being here in '69," said the 69-year-old Douglass. For good reason. He missed the cut and wanted to get out of town as quickly as possible, he added.

Douglass enters the event hoping he can feel better than he has of late. Last week he missed the cut at the British Senior, bothered by tendonitis in his left shoulder that he said has been an annoyance this season.

Dale Douglass hoists the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Senior Open Championship Trophy in 1986 after winning at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. (USGA Photo Archives)

These days he's trying to perform well enough that he can compete on the weekend. His last victory on the Champions Tour came in 1996, at the Bell Atlantic Classic. As a former champion of the Senior Open, he's always geared up to play even if the results haven't been sterling. In the last eight championships he's missed five cuts. Still, it hasn't marred an otherwise solid Senior Open record that includes the '86 victory and three top-five finishes, the last coming in 1993 at Cherry Hills Country Club where he placed fourth.

"Since I won it once, it's the most important tournament to me," said Douglass.

Mark The Dates

It's no secret that many Champions Tour players circle the Senior Open dates on their calendar each year. It's the crème de la crème of the events they'll play some will argue.

"It's probably the most important event we play on the tour," said 58-year-old Walter Hall, who finished tied for seventh – his best finish -- last year at Bellerive Country Club. "Everyone wants to win the national championship."

This year marks the seventh time Hall, a 1991 U.S. Amateur participant, will compete. And each year he knows what to expect: a tough all-around setup that will require strategy and consummate course management skills.

"Anytime you play a USGA championship," he said, "you need a lot of patience. Anytime you finish in the top 10, you know you've played well."

Jay Sigel, 61, concurred. Sigel has familiarity with USGA events, winning two U.S. Amateurs and three U.S. Mid-Amateurs (not to mention nine appearances on the USA Walker Cup squad). So it goes without saying that he understands the philosophy behind a demanding setup.

His best finish in a Senior Open is fifth, in 1996.

"If there was one event I could win," said Sigel, making his 12^th start, "this would be it."

This was it for Don Pooley three years ago at Caves Valley Golf Club. In arguably the most thrilling Senior Open ever Pooley outlasted Tom Watson in a five-hole playoff. But to be in position for the playoff, Pooley needed a record-setting 8-under 63 in the third round that catapulted him into a three-shot lead entering the final round.

What makes winning so difficult, he said, is that more is needed than stellar course management.

"It took three solid rounds, and one great round," said Pooley, perspiring on the putting range. "You're playing against the best players."

Unlike Douglass and a cadre of others, Pooley has few aches and pains. That could prove to be advantageous. Or maybe not.

"It's only my game that is holding me back," said Pooley, laughing.

Sauna Anyone?

An excessive heat warning was in effect Monday through the evening, which made things a bit uncomfortable. It wasn't uncommon to see players and fans alike look like they had a bucket of water dumped over their heads.

The temperature topped out at 94 degrees, with high humidity thrown in for good measure, making it feel like 114 on the heat index.

Dr. Greg Wise of the nearby Kettering Medical Center will be heading up the First Aid station that abuts the 10^th teeing ground. He said his 70-plus staff of medical volunteers had a few heat-related cases but nothing substantial. He offered a list of precautions one could take to avoid consequences of the extreme warmth. He suggested having good head cover, wearing light clothing and sunscreen, but more important, staying hydrated. He also added that alcohol and caffeine should not be consumed for various reasons.

"Stay out of the doomsday sun, like the Englishmen do," said Wise.

Fortunately, the Dayton area should get a break by Wednesday, when temperatures are supposed to dip into the high 70s.

The breather would be welcomed by most. But perhaps none more so than those on bags. An air-conditioned tent for caddies that serves as a dining area has provided a bit of relief. Not all tournaments on the Champions Tour provides such comforts.

"We played nine [today] and it felt like we went 27," said Jim Ahern's caddie, John McCready, who weighs "a buck 45."

Ken Klavon is the USGA Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.