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Memory LaneMemories Never Fade For Hazel BrownAt Carolina Golf and Country ClubBy: Marty Wasser – Assistant PGA Professional - Firethorne Country ClubShortly after the famous architectDonald Ross designedwhat would later become theCarolina Golf and Country Club inCharlotte a young man by the name ofHazel Brown began a relationship withthis club that would last a lifetime.With a bag full of golf memories, Hazel Brown still shares hisstories at Carolina Golf and CCIntroduced to golf in 1949 at age 12,he worked as a caddie where he wouldcarry two bags for $1.20 plus tip.He worked with his two unclesCharlie and Bill Sifford. Charlie wouldmove on to a successful career on thePGA tour where he won the Hartfordand LA Open but according to Hazel,Bill who was the better player.Hazel also became quite a playerhimself shooting a personal low of 65 onwhat were then sand greens.Hazel quickly became the favoritecaddie of many skilled players in thearea and in many of the Carolina amateurand pro-am events.The original course owner SuttAlexander Sr. introduced Hazel to ayoung pro by the name of ClaytonHeafner who was in his mid 30’s at thetime. The two worked several PGA tournamentstogether,including the North South at Pinehurst.Hazel continued to work at the CarolinaGolf and Country Club with clubhouseduty and caddying during the 50’swhere he would work an occasionalevent for then pro DickTiddy, who later ran theBay Hill Club forArnold Palmer in Orlando.Sometime in the late50’s Sutt Alexander puttogether a 4 manshootout at the CarolinaGolf and Country Club.The 18 hole medal playevent would show casethe talents of SamSnead, Lloyd Mangrum,Johnny Palmer and localpro Clayton Heafner.The event was won byLlyod Mangrum whoshot 66 thanks to hiscaddie Hazel Brown.In the mid-60’s Hazel was introducedto a young pro by the name ofBurt Yancey. Making $80 a week plus5% of the winnings, the two would worktogether for nearly 20-years in the southeastat stops in Pensacola, FL, Savannah,GA and eventually Augusta.The ’67 & ’68 Masters would takethis young caddie from Charlotte to themoment of fame every young caddiegrowing up would dream about, caddyingin the last group on the last day ofthe Masters.Although Burt Yancey played in thefinal group both years it was a doublebogey on the last hole each year that didhim in. In 1968 a par would have puthim in a playoff with Bob Goalby whowon outright when Roberto De Vicenzosigned an incorrect scorecard.In the transition years from a publicto a private course for Carolina Golf andCountry Club, Hazel would continue towork part-time as a caddie and eventuallycaddie master. He worked for a lotof well known pros in the Charlotte areaDick Tiddy, Larry Parker, WalterReynolds, Joe Tiger and Bill Pearce.With the wide-spread use of golfcarts in the mid-70’s the caddie businessbegan to fade away. Most of the caddiesat Carolina moved on to Myers Park andCharlotte Country Club.Marriage and family responsibilitieslead Hazel away from Carolina to amore stable position working fulltimewith the Crawford bag company. Hewould work there making golf bags untilthe company went bankrupt in the mid80’s.Long time friend and Carolina Golfand Country Club cofounder WorthSprings would then offer Hazel his lastcaddie assignment taking care of the bagroom at Carolina Golf and CountryClub.The members of Carolina Golf andCountry Club made Hazel an honorarymember in 1996 and to this day he stillplays two or three times a week and hasalready shot his age 8 or 9 times.Hazel still works 4 or 5 days a week.Stop by some time with a good cigar andHazel will gladly share one of his manystories with you.This past year Hazel had the thrill ofwatching Uncle Charlie Sifford the manwho introduced him to the game receivean induction into the World Golf Hall ofFame.34 - CAROLINA GOLF JOURNAL - SUMMER 2010 _____________________________________________________________________________