Members Caddie during Rain-Soaked 1986 U.S. Senior Amateur
The USGA returned to Interlachen after 51 years for the 1986 U.S. Senior Amateur.
Minnesota had received more than twice its normal rainfall for September only two weeks into the month and Mother Nature continued dumping heavy rain on the course just before and during the competition. Head professional Bill Kidd recalled a meeting at which the members decided to forbid the use of motorized carts, which are allowed for senior competition, during the two days of stroke-play qualifying. “It was unheard of for members to tell the USGA that it could not use carts,” Kidd said. “We called members and asked them to caddie. Every participant had a caddie, 99% of whom were members.” When the course dried sufficiently to allow carts, most players opted for their member caddies.
Interlachen President Frank Feeney, along with members Bob Tickle and Mike Dunn, led the effort of calling members on Sunday afternoon to serve as caddies in Monday’s qualifying round. “The response was most gratifying,” Feeney said. “We achieved our goal, and the member caddies loved it. In fact most of them continued to caddie during the week. They had a ball. I know I did.” (Star Tribune, Sept. 21, 1986).
In his first USGA championship, R.S. “Bo” Williams said his chances at Interlachen were “none, no chance, very little” (Star Tribune, Sept. 21, 1986). But the 57-year-old automobile dealer from Ocala, Fla., played steady all week, executing his strategy of hitting fairways and greens better than anyone in the field of 144 players. A relative unknown, Williams had won his biggest title, the Florida Senior Amateur, earlier in the year. At Interlachen, he qualified for match play with a score of 154, five behind medalist Bill Hyndman of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. In advancing to the final, only one of Williams’ six matches reached the 17th hole. He defeated John Harbottle of Tacoma, Wash., in the final match 3 and 2.
Harbottle took the early lead and was 1-up after four holes. But Williams was too steady, hitting 11 of 13 fairways and 14 of 16 greens. He won six holes in a row, starting on No. 5, and established an insurmountable 5-up lead after 10 holes.
The only Minnesotan to advance to match play was Dr. Bob Harris of Glenwood, father of decorated amateur player John Harris of Edina Country Club. Dr. Harris qualified with a score of 161 but was defeated in the first round by John Owens of Lexington, Ky.
Written by Christine Geer Dean
1986 US Senior Amateur - Bo Williams
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1986 US Senior Amateur - Bo Williams
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