[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SOUTHWEST MISSOURI LOSES A LIVING LEGEND

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                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Southwest 
Missouri golf legend who has joined Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, and Ben 
Hogan on that first tee in the sky. Herman Keiser, a native of 
Springfield, MO, passed away December 24, 2003, at the age of 89. His 
death marked the end of a wonderful career as a golf professional, who 
in 1946, after a 31-month tour of duty in the U.S. Navy fighting World 
War II, won the 1946 Masters, a golf event that has been held at 
Augusta National Golf Club since its inception in 1934.
  Mr. Keiser began his golfing career as an assistant golf professional 
at Portage Country Club in Portage, OH. Shortly after his arrival, he 
became the head golf professional at Firestone Country Club in Akron, 
OH, which hosted the World Series of Golf just this past year as well 
as numerous PGA and Champion Tour events.
  The highlight of his career came when in 1946 Herman Keiser found 
himself on the first tee at Augusta National Golf Club preparing to 
play in a tournament founded by legendary Bobby Jones and won twice by 
Horton Smith. In fact, he had the pleasure of playing some practice 
rounds with Horton Smith prior to the first round of the tournament. 
During these cherished moments, Smith gave Keiser some very important 
tips that enabled him to read the difficult greens at Augusta.
  After three rounds of golf, Keiser found himself 5 strokes ahead of 
legendary golfer Ben Hogan. Others in the field included the likes of 
Byron Nelson and Sam Snead. In his final round, Keiser shot a 74 which 
placed him at 6 under for the tournament. He was emotionally and 
physically spent and waited to see what Hogan would do after Keiser 
three-putted the 18th hole for his 74. All Hogan had to do was par the 
18th hole, a very difficult Par 4 dogleg right. His second shot landed 
12 feet from the hole where Hogan three putted giving Keiser the win 
that he so deserved. Keiser had remembered what Horton Smith had told 
him during the practice round. Unfortunately for Hogan, he did not have 
the same lesson. For Keiser, his 1946 win was ``the greatest thing that 
ever happened to me.''
  In 1947, Keiser continued his golfing excellence by becoming a member 
of the successful Ryder Cup team that defeated Britain 11 to 1. Shortly 
after the team's success, Keiser returned to Ohio, where he purchased a 
driving range and became a life member of the Professional Golfers' 
Association of America.
  Mr. Speaker, Herman Keiser came from Springfield, MO, to carve a 
small place for himself in the history of professional golf. He lived a 
wonderful life and contributed much to the game of golf. He will always 
be remembered in my home State and will be missed.

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