Rod Spittle

   Mackenzie Hughes is a Canadian golfer who, last week, finished in third place in a golf tournament in the Dominican Republic. Apart from getting a tan, he received $276,000. At the richer Travelers Championship, back at the end of June, he tied for third and won $436,000. On the first of March he finished second at the Honda Classic and the number on the check was $763,000. Playing golf as a professional was not always so financially rewarding.

  Rod Spittle was born in St. Catherines in 1955 and, like Hughes, headed south to Ohio to play golf and get a college education. He went to Ohio State, while Hughes attended Kent State. The economic prospects for professional golfers were not so bright back then and Spittle decided to go into the insurance business which was likely to be more lucrative and, some would say, more exciting.  In an interview back in 1977 he indicated he was spending time in the pro shop and supplementing his income by making wooden drivers like the one illustrated above (a link to the video is provided below.)

Apart from a fine collegiate career, Spittle won the Canadian Amateur Championship in 1977 and 1978. If you recognize him, however, it is likely because you have seen him on the Champions Tour, which is the professional tour for older players. It was only after a long career in insurance that he attempted to become a professional golfer. In 2010 he won the AT&T Championship in San Antonio and has made over $4 million. He retired from golf in 2018. Apparently he is a fine fellow and you can learn more about him below.

Television Archives

I stumbled upon Mr. Spittle when I discovered that some television news footage from a neighbouring state is now available over the Internet. Those who would rather watch events from the past than read about them, will be pleased to know that more archived video material is now being made available. In this case, the Buffalo Broadcasters Association is providing content as part of the New York Heritage Digital Collections.

The Channel F Sports Director interviewed Spittle back in 1977 when he was the Canadian Amateur Champion. You can see the entire interview by clicking on the link provided. There is a short opening glitch, but stick with it and listen to the southern-sounding Spittle talk about his career and the club he has made. It looks better than the one pictured above. (the video is only 2 minutes) WIVB-TV Featured Segment - Rod Spittle-1977.

The Bonus - Local News Coverage

   Those who would like to view local television news coverage will be pleased to know that the archives of the London TV Station CFPL are available at Archives Ontario. Footage is provided for the years from 1953 to 1968. Here is the link to the Ontario Archives. 

   I used the CFPL footage in a post I did about Western students winning a bed-pushing contest in the early 1960s -see, The Important Subject of Bed-Pushing.  Lately, however, I have had problems opening the videos. I hope you have better luck. A few of the CFPL broadcasts are available on YouTube. 

Sources:

   There is a Wikipedia entry for Rod Spittle and a profile on the PGA Tour Champions website. He is also in the Canadian and Ontario Halls of Fame. 

Ontario Golf Hall of Fame 

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame 

For a good profile see:

"Rod Spittle Returns to Hamilton For Historic Career Milestone," Brent Long, Golf Canada. 

My only other post about golf is about golfing in London in the 1930s - see Joy in Mudville.