Tour Tales, Quad Cities/John Deere Classic

By. John K. Abendroth, PGA

When certain PGA Tour events are played, they bring to mind unique stories from when I played in them, with the Quad Cities, John Deere Classic being played this week I have good memories.

Gary McCord had a bit of the kick off to his career as a charecter as he got invited into a TV studio and he showed up with his trademark mustache wearing a Tux. Gary had Hollywood conntections and with Ed McMahon the host, Gary was perfect to promote the event.

In the final round there was a rain delay, and my group of Dave Hill and George Cadle took shelter in the maintenence barn along with our gallery of 25-30 people. Dave opened the referigerator and started handing out beers.

Dave had two drivers in his bag and I was curious. I asked him about that and he looked at me like I was an alien, " One is for fades and one is for hooks..." Don't you know...

I traveled some with Cadle, he would travel with an ironing board in his car...have to look to play good.

On Sunday morning, my Wife Rose dropped me off at the airport and she took off on her drive to Cleveland. The next event was in Boston and with me having made the cut I would be exempt in Boston...She picked me up Sunday evening and then we drove to Boston the next day. In that era, 1975, many of us had Citizen Band radios in our cars to stay in touch with each other and Rose learned to chat with the truck drivers, fun memories.