Letter from Bill Campbell to Harry Easterly, September 27, 1972
Dear Harry:
As a Republican and Episcopalian, I plead guilty to supporting traditionalism in most of its manifestations. Accordingly, I understand the Executive’s recent decision to return the Amateur from stroke play to match.
While you are at it, there are some other things that should obviously be considered in the same context:
All non-wood shafts should be outlawed, and the sand wedge has no place in modern golf. Indeed, why should anyone need more than the 7 clubs that Chick Evans used to set the Open record that lasted for 17 years? Pros should not be allowed in the clubhouse; women shouldn’t either. Neckties are required for all male players, and plus-fours recommended. The maximum time for any competitive round should be 2 hours 10 minutes. Journalists should see the play in person, so press conferences needn’t be held. The bar can be reserved for drinking and the grill for eating. All USGA teams must travel by ship. Let’s return to the gutta ball. There should be no local, sectional, and regional qualifying; anyone plays who shows up at the site of the championship. The Amateur should be contested mostly at 36-hole matches. It may take a few weeks longer to determine the champion, and the youngest guy will probably win it, but it’s only a game. No practice range or shag balls allowed; after all, the play’s the thing, and let’s get on with it. Let’s return to the stymie, and no cleaning of balls on the green and no fixing of ball divots, which are only a deep “rub of the green.” And, by all means, contest the Open over 3 days, with the last day featuring 36 holes – or if possible, why not compress it into two days, or even one? Truly, Survival of the fittest….
Cordially, Bill