FASCINATING STORY OF THE 'HITLER TREE' BY HESKETH'S FIRST TEE
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY GOLF ILLUSTRATED
If you look up "the Hitler tree" on Google then you'll find that in the Polish Town of Jaslo, a fierce debate ensues about an oak tree. The tree was planted by the Nazi's to celebrate their Fuhrer's 53rd birthday and there are those who'd like to see it removed.
In this particular instance, you can't really blame them. But there's another Hitler tree where the locals don't want to see it removed because it reminds them of a rather special golfing achievement.
Hesketh on Merseyside is one of the oldest golf clubs in Britain and outside there is a fir tree that might have been handed over by Adolf himself, if the depraved Dictator had not also been something of a bad sport.
To learn more one must travel back to the Olympic Games of 1936, made famous by the celebrated Black American athlete Jesse Owens. Golf was not a part of the Olympics, but Hitler decided to hold a parallel international tournament - the Grosser Golfpries Der Nationen (the Golf Prize Of Nations) at Baden Baden Golf Club.
The event was held straight after the Games themselves and the English Golf Union decided to send a two man team comprising of Arnold Bentley from Hesketh and Tom Thirsk of Ganton. The Germans opened up a handy lead going into the final day, and were still three strokes ahead after the morning round on the final day.
Anticipating a German win, Hitler set off from Berlin, so that he could present the prizes to a triumphant home nation. He didn't reckon though to the gritty determination of the English pair.
Thirsk shot back to back 65s which was enough to snatch first place on 562. When Hitler heard of the turn around the furious Fuhrer decided to do a volte-face of his own, and headed straight back to Berlin.
It was left to the president of the German Golf Union, Karl Henkell, to make the presentation and award the prizes - a trophy, gold medals and a fir tree. It was planted by the first tee at Hesketh Golf Club, and still waves in the wind at departing golfers.
The story of the "Hitler Tree" is one of the highlights of the second issue of Golf Illustrated, alongside pieces on MoeNorman and Mac O' Grady, a photo essay of Donald Trump's Scottish links, inside Ping, a celebration of hickory golf and Rye's President's Putter.
READ ALL ABOUT IT ON www.golfillustrated.co.uk
If you look up "the Hitler tree" on Google then you'll find that in the Polish Town of Jaslo, a fierce debate ensues about an oak tree. The tree was planted by the Nazi's to celebrate their Fuhrer's 53rd birthday and there are those who'd like to see it removed.
In this particular instance, you can't really blame them. But there's another Hitler tree where the locals don't want to see it removed because it reminds them of a rather special golfing achievement.
Hesketh on Merseyside is one of the oldest golf clubs in Britain and outside there is a fir tree that might have been handed over by Adolf himself, if the depraved Dictator had not also been something of a bad sport.
To learn more one must travel back to the Olympic Games of 1936, made famous by the celebrated Black American athlete Jesse Owens. Golf was not a part of the Olympics, but Hitler decided to hold a parallel international tournament - the Grosser Golfpries Der Nationen (the Golf Prize Of Nations) at Baden Baden Golf Club.
The event was held straight after the Games themselves and the English Golf Union decided to send a two man team comprising of Arnold Bentley from Hesketh and Tom Thirsk of Ganton. The Germans opened up a handy lead going into the final day, and were still three strokes ahead after the morning round on the final day.
Anticipating a German win, Hitler set off from Berlin, so that he could present the prizes to a triumphant home nation. He didn't reckon though to the gritty determination of the English pair.
Thirsk shot back to back 65s which was enough to snatch first place on 562. When Hitler heard of the turn around the furious Fuhrer decided to do a volte-face of his own, and headed straight back to Berlin.
It was left to the president of the German Golf Union, Karl Henkell, to make the presentation and award the prizes - a trophy, gold medals and a fir tree. It was planted by the first tee at Hesketh Golf Club, and still waves in the wind at departing golfers.
The story of the "Hitler Tree" is one of the highlights of the second issue of Golf Illustrated, alongside pieces on MoeNorman and Mac O' Grady, a photo essay of Donald Trump's Scottish links, inside Ping, a celebration of hickory golf and Rye's President's Putter.
READ ALL ABOUT IT ON www.golfillustrated.co.uk
Labels: GOLF NEWS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Friday, March 02, 2012
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