Golf historian Herb Graffis credits Bing Crosby with revolutionizing the game of golf with the first celebrity pro-am tournament in history, adding that the crooner “caught charity lightning in a bottle.”
Crosby thought it was his greatest accomplishment.
“I’m frequently asked, by journalists and others, what event, achievement or success has been most gratifying to me in my lifetime. Well the answer is immediate. This golf tournament,” Crosby wrote in the prologue to the 1975 book, The Crosby: Greatest Show in Golf, by Dwayne Netland.
“Here’s the game I’ve played and loved for 45 years, being played in the most beautiful environment imaginable on three world-famous links, by the best professionals, amateurs, sportsmen, and friends, and all for the substantial benefit of the most estimable charitable causes,” wrote Crosby, just two years before his death on a golf course in Spain. To date, the tourney has raised upward of $120 million.
“When I think I’ve had a hand in all this,” he added, “my cup runneth over.”
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.