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DEL.ICIO.USYates’ golfing legacy went far beyond the ropes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Charlie Yates was a man of many splendors. More than a mere golfer, but it was golf that gave him his launching. He grew up in a home just behind the fourth green on the No. 2 course at East Lake. (And there was a second course at East Lake, and it was a very good one.) The story is that Bobby Jones was sitting on a terrace having a beverage one day when he saw this kid deliver his drive over the lake, then pitch to three feet of the pin and sink the putt.
Whereupon, it is said, that Jones said, “That young fella has a beautiful swing.”
Part of the garbled lore that golf seems to concoct? Could be, but who’s to contradict such a story? The Presley D. Yates family tree was laden with golfers. The mercantile business supplied the family needs, but golf was their diversion, and it trickled down to the grandchildren, the most resplendent of whom is Danny Jr., Walker Cup player and captain, Mid-Amateur champion and a staggering number of achievements of one sort or another.
Naturally, in a family such as this there is inevitably one “who was the best of us all,” in the words of the Charlie’s brother Dan. “Better at 15 than I was at 18,” Dan said. But Allen played for the joy of it, especially after he and Dan formed own their insurance business. But topmost of them all was Charles, and it is to him that we bow in grief today. Charlie Yates had been awaiting his appointment with death for quite awhile. Now, trying to compress all of his accomplishments into one capsule of a column is a test, so noting his arts and civic career, this will stick to the golfing side.
Charlie was one of the last two survivors who played in the first Masters Tournament in 1934. The other, Errie Ball, was a pro, and now, somewhere in his mid-90s, was living in Florida at last notice. Charlie’s ticket to the first tournament at Augusta National, which was an invitational, was that he was Georgia State amateur champion. His monumental achievement was yet to come. In 1938 he would win the British Amateur, played at Troon. Now, the British didn’t take too kindly to these colonists who came over and made off with one of their cherished trophies. Jones had done it. Jess Sweetser had done it. Now comes this towhead with the fetching smile and a sorghum accent, and they warmed to him because he warmed to them.
He stood before them at the trophy presentation, hoisted a dollop of their national beverage and sang to them their drinking song in their native tongue. What Scot could but take him to his bosom? A bit later, in Walker Cup competition, Charlie came to grips with a resident favorite named James Bruen. Now, having won the Amateur, to lose to Bruen in international play would have tarnished that title. “They were high on Jimmy,” Charlie said later. “He was to be their savior.”
But Charlie prevailed and scored one of the Americans’ rare points. Most of us who have occupied a chair in the press facilities at Augusta National have come to know Charlie Yates in an official status, not as a player. Though he did play in 11 Masters and was low amateur three times. Soon after he retired from play in 1948, he was made a member of the Press (later Media) Committee, and from 1971 to 1999 served as chairman. That meant appearances before our hungering throng as he mediated the press conferences of the players and champions. He had served as financial officer for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad before retiring early to join Mayor Ivan Allen in civic projects, then later heading a fund-raising campaign at Georgia Tech, but nothing detracted him from his commitment to Augusta National. Unfortunately, he had not been able to continue his duties at the Masters, and was succeeded by Billy Payne, with whom he had served on the 1996 Olympics Committee.
“I didn’t consider myself an exceptional golfer,” Charlie once said. “The thing I’ve learned is that golf is very much like life: You have good things happen to you and some things that are bad.” And thus the curtain is drawn on the life of this man who meant so much to so many people in so many different ways, beyond a mere game.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Furman Bisher, Golf
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By Dennis Covington
October 19, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher,
I enjoyed your tribute to Mr. Yates. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago in the upstairs of the Butler cabin as a guest of his son, Charlie. I was particularly impressed with his concern about how I, a relative nobody, was enjoying the tournament
I have also been fortunate to be an invited guest to Biltmore Forest for the Sweetser Memorial and have enjoyed hearing from these great amateur players. Thank you for your contribution to the game and relating these stories about the great game of golf.
Best regards,
Dennis Covington
By Lovic Brooks
October 19, 2005 01:52 PM | Link to this
Well done, as usual, Furman. I heard someone say that Charlie Yates may well be the most liked person in the world. This maybe so because he had that rare ability to focus his entire attention on whomever he encountered and to make that person feel like he or she was very, very important. He will be sorely missed.
By Cam Owens
October 20, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this
Mr Bisher,
First of all, my sincere condolences to the Yates’ family, particularly Danny and young (52) Charlie, the only two members of the family I personally knew as a youngster. After leaving Atlanta in the early 90’s, your missives and historical references to Atlanta’s past and present sporting personalities have been a joy for me to read. For allowing me to remain connected to my past through your writings, I am eternally grateful. And unless I’m mistaken, the only time we met was 42 years ago in the Men’s Grill at Brookhaven’s Capital City Club with my grandfather Frank C.(Hop) Owens. Please continue with your wonderful work.
Respectfully,
Cam Owens
By War Eagle
October 20, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this
Furman, take names and kick butt in the ajc Sports Dept. Besides you the section has gone down hill the last couple of years. Also, kick the Vent guy butt, they are pathetic with reprints and shells, not to mention Jay and Cynthia who are off balance too. Harvey Copeland Jr Douglasville Ga