Gene Littler is more private than Augusta National. Now that he's long removed from golfing for more money than a friendly Nassau, he rarely makes public appearances. So I asked him why this is.
“Because I don't want to,” he replied with a smile.
“We wondered if Lit's still kicking,” Billy Casper quipped.
This appearance Littler made, though, because cuddly Bob Breitbard invited him, along with Casper, Scott Simpson and Phil Rodgers. The foursome gathered yesterday at Breitbard's Hall of Champions, talking golf, and it was fun.
These are four San Diego natives with names. Casper, 74, won 51 PGA Tour titles and three majors – two U.S. Opens and a Masters. Littler, 75, won 29 Tour titles, including a U.S. Open. Simpson, 50 and toiling on the Champions Tour, won a U.S. Open. Rodgers, 67, was runner-up in the 1963 British Open and won five Tour titles. But he became famous as a coach, the man who remodeled Jack Nicklaus' short game.
NADIA BOROWSKI SCOTT / Union-Tribune
Gene Littler (second left) appears to be getting it from both sides as fellow San Diegans (from left) Phil Rodgers, Billy Casper and Scott Simpson apply the needle.
|
So they sat there and discussed Phil Mickelson's Masters victory (Mickelson's second shot Sunday on 18 landed at Casper's feet), the changes at Augusta, high-tech equipment, the majors and how golf used to be, first in Breitbard's office, and then before the crowd that had gathered for lunch.
Littler: “It was great. Phil played great and so did Fred (Couples).”
Simpson: “It's hard to believe that guy can be so lucky twice.”
Mickelson used two drivers in the Masters and the week before in his monstrous victory in the BellSouth. After his win at Augusta, Mickelson said he wasn't going to make a habit of it.
Rodgers: “He (Casper) was the first guy to use two drivers. There was one he couldn't hook and one he could. Everybody's acting like this is something new.”
Casper: “Phil (Mickelson) and I talked about it. You know, on Sunday afternoon, we were in the (exclusive Champions) clubhouse and Phil went to sleep at 1:30. He said, 'Wake me up at 2.' My son and I were the only other people in there. It was neat to see that. He was totally relaxed. He was ready.
“I think age had to be a factor with Freddy (at 46). Tiger didn't putt well. He didn't look like he was totally there. Phil's round probably was one of the greatest ever played.
“I'm pretty much sold on Augusta. I can go on and on.”
Rodgers: “When we used to drive through the (Augusta) gate and down Magnolia Lane, we'd gain 20 yards (through adrenaline).”
Simpson: “It wasn't my favorite golf course. But now it's pretty tight, so I might like it better.”
Interestingly, when the three won their majors, they were proud, but they didn't think it a big deal at the time – even Simpson, who won his Open in 1987.
Littler: “I played the British Open twice, and I only played it because I was over there doing the Shell golf show. It wasn't worth going over there. I was better off at home.
“Winning a major is great, but when we played, we weren't focusing on it like they do now. We were just trying to make a living. When we played, lodging was $7. We pulled a trailer.”
Simpson: “It was great to win the U.S. Open, but I always thought a major was another tournament to me. It does give you more opportunities, but I didn't think that much about it at the time.”
Casper: “You're remembered for the major championships you win, but after you win, you take it for granted. It means much more (to Casper) now.”
I asked about equipment, and how they would have fared with new technology, irons with grooves allowing a golfer to spin the ball out of deep rough, and balls that fly like NASA. Manufacturers have trailers at events allowing players to fiddle with their sticks. Mickelson changes wedges the way he changes socks.
Casper: “In those days, we maybe saw our manufacturer representative four times a year.”
Rodgers: “Three clubs nobody could touch – the putter, wedge and driver, and they'd last a lifetime. There were no grooves left. My only entourage was the bartender at The Beachcomber.
“Gene had one of the best pro shops in the world – his garage.”
Littler: “I know if we were playing today, we'd be a lot richer and a lot longer.”
Casper: “I probably would have won six tournaments with the new equipment.”
Littler: “I probably hit the ball as far today as I did 40 years ago. That just shouldn't be.”
But it is. They keep talking about Augusta going to its own shorter ball, but only 13 Masters players broke par. Mickelson finished minus-7, with one round below 70.
Simpson: “Colonial's a great golf course. Now they don't even use drivers. I'd love to see a ball change so the old courses could play the same way they used to play. They're building new courses that are 8,200 yards.”
Rodgers: “Golfers are much bigger and stronger now.”
Casper: “The guys today generate more club speed.”
Rodgers: “Not that much more. Maybe 5 mph.”
Casper: “They have to make it more of a target game than a length game.”
Casper, one of the truly great putters, added: “I always said, if I can have anybody putt for me, it would be Lit.”
Me, too. But first, he'd have to get out in public.
Nick Canepa: (619) 293-1397; nick.canepa@uniontrib.com
