Mr. Casper and me

Billy Casper and me, photographed back in 2013 at the annual Billy Casper Golf meeting. Photo: Golfdom

I had the pleasure of meeting Billy Casper a few years ago. We had lunch together at the Billy Casper Golf annual meeting being held in Tampa. He was a gentlemen, and it was an experience to remember.

That trip resulted in the August, 2013 cover story, “Behind the curtain,” where I took a look at what Billy Casper Golf is trying to accomplish as a management company. You can read the story here.

I did get a putting tip from Mr. Casper, one that I’m still not sharing, because consistent putting is about the only thing I ever contribute to a four-man scramble team. But I will retell this part of the story: When I asked for a putting tip, it was one of those awkward moments when someone else said something at the exact same moment. And that guy was prepared to keep going with his part of the conversation.

Photo: Golfdom

But Mr. Casper stopped and said, “Hold on, hold on… I think this young man was just asking for a putting tip!” And Billy got the conversation back on the topic he was more interested in: a couple philosophies he had on the art of putting.

So here at Golfdom, we tip our cap to Mr. Casper, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 83. Thanks again for your time and for that putting tip… I promise to put it to good use.