Louisiana's Big Three have made their mark The Hebert brothers and Freddie Haas left their home state to stake a claim in world of golf By Vern Putney NEW ORLEANS — As Huey 'Next to being able to teach Long symbolized Louisiana politics, so the brothers Lionel and Jay and perform, golf "At just the mellow side of Hebert and Freddie Haas of nearby superintendence is the most 50, the latest influx of New Orleans communities epito- mize the Pelican State's professional challenging of professions. players are too supple and golf excellence. Trying to please members hit the ball too far. And The Heberts are the only broth- ... is a difficult task. But ers to have won the PGA Champi- they still think they're going onship — Lionel in 1957, Jay in most have succeeded. to hole all the medium and 1960. When you work hard — long putts." Haas stunned the golf world Aug. 20,1945, at Chickasaw Country Club and they do — remarkable — Freddie Haas in Memphis, Tenn. The 29-year-old things happen/ amateur shattered Byron Nelson's —Jay Hebert tournament win streak at 11. Haas carded an 18-under-par 270, 10 strokes less than Nelson. He col- lected $100 in war bonds, Nelson Classic that featured 30 former PGA Tour, Haas says, "At just the mel- $1,600. Tour champions, ranging in age low side of 50, the latest influx of Not even being the first American from 60-year-old Gay Brewer to 83- players are too supple and hit the golfer to be a member of both the year-old Paul Runyan. ball too far. And they still think U.S. Walker and Ryder Cup teams The South was so far Haas, whom Jay termed a "golf they're going to hole all the me- could top that in Haas' book of behind in golf (in the phenomenon," tied Tom Nieporte dium and long putts." memories. 1950s), it was and Snead with a 75. Haas turned 76 Haas sees his future task as mak- All three remain strong players, on Jan. 3. ing golf more enjoyable and eco- though Haas underwent an opera- unbelievable. Golf took on Tagged "No. 1 Iron" in his early nomical for families. He believes tion early in January and may not a whole new meaning up Tour days because of a whipcord his patented Mod-Sod grass is the resume competitive action until mid- 135 pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame, Haas answer. February. there (North)/ has put on little poundage while He cited the case of Tour pro Hay Haas, of the New Orleans suburb — Lionel Hebert piling up tournament credits. Stay- Haas (no relation), who installed a of Metairie, had a leg up on golf ing in shape has been a big help on Mod-Sod practice green in the back because Dad Fred Sr. was a top- the Senior circuit yard of his home in Greenville, S.C. flight club professional. Haas first won in that category in 'Well have no privacy," his wife The Heberts were born in 1966, lost to Snead in 1970and three- pointed out. She was right. Guests I^afayette, about 14 miles from New putted the 17th hole for another were smitten with the outdoor di- Orleans. Golf wasn't high on the Lionel. "Golf took on a whole new perform," Jay declares, "golf super- runner-up finish in 1977. version. priority list. The boys' acquaintance meaning up there." intendency is the most challenging Haas can claim one golf distinc- "I had no idea it would be so with the soil came by working in the The Heberts worked at golf clubs of professions. Trying to please tion that perhaps never will be chal- popular," she confessed, "and it's family garden. They soon "escaped" in New York and Pennsylvania and members who perhaps are not up to lenged. From 1946 through 1991, become ideal for entertaining." for caddie duty at the lone small had some success in very competi- par as to what you are trying to do is he never failed to collect a Tour Freddie may crash the Guinness nine-hole golf course in Lafayette. tive tournaments. a difficult task. But most have suc- paycheck. Book of Records quite apart from There were no instructors, no Jay struck out for the PGA Tour ceeded. When you work hard — Haas had his first tractor ride on competitive skills. Last April, he pictures, no books. At age 16, Jay in 1956, and in 1957 won the Bing and they do — remarkable things his pro Dad's Metairie course at spearheaded a volunteer crew of saw Sam Snead play in the 1939 Crosby and the Texas Open. His happen. age 5. Soon the junior Haas had Highmore (S.D.) Country Club New Orleans Open. Snead became next big score was the PGA title at "When I play an outstanding shouldered mowing and watering members constructing nine Mod- his role model. Firestone Country Club in Akron, course, I make it a point to contact duties when not caddieing. Sod green in 4-1/2 days. They cel- However, Jay reasoned that for Ohio. Even with Snead entering the the superintendent and congratu- For him, meeting course playing ebrated by playing on the afternoon every Sam Snead in the world there final round, he posted a two-under- late him," Jay added. challenges was more exciting than of the fifth day. (See story, page 86.) were 100 pros "selling soda pop at par 70 for the victory and $11,000. One such standout is veteran grooming layout But one early ex- Haas sees Mod-Sod as the best country clubs and not making much In 1961, Jay captured the Hous- Charlie Joachim, superintendent at perience gave Haas pause. As a 20- way over the next decade to beat money." ton and American Golf Classics. Houston's Champions Golf Club, year-old amateur, the NCAA cham- the high cost of course construc- From 1955 through 1965, Jay where Jay is a member. The 36-hole pion from LSA walked to the first tion. When I play an racked up a string of runner-up fin- Champions, former site for the Na- tee somewhatnervously atBaltusrol "Communities such as this small ishes. tional Open and Ryder Cup, will Country Club in Springfield, N J., in farming area can make golf afford- outstanding course, I make Other achievements included host the National Amateur in 1994. 1954. able and courses practical to build," it a point to contact the PGA quarter-finalist in 1957; Ryder Lionel, who won his PGA crown It was his first of 19 U.S. Open Haas declares. "Highmore is the superintendent and Cup member in 1959 and 1961 and as a rookie, edged Dow Finsterwald, appearances.Ten thousand persons 11th Mod-Sod course. All have de- captain in 1961; chairman of the 2 and 1, in the match play final. were lined up, impatient to have fied harsh weather conditions." congratulate him.' PGA tournament committee in 1957, Still, Lionel believes the current Haas and his partner hit their drives Haas' switch in golf emphasis to —Jay Hebert 1958,1963 and 1964 and member in medal play is a better test of golf and clear the decks for the next the construction side may make it a 1956,1957,1962 and 1963. skill. "It's a game of ball manage- twosome, Snead and defending bit easier for wife Paula. She's been Becoming a greenkeeper Jay left the Tour in 1971 for pro- ment, of knowing when to challenge champion Sam Parks. his constant companion in the gru- seemed to offer far more job secu- motional work. He's long been with the course and when to lie back. In The crowd groaned outwardly, eling grind that has criss-crossed rity. RJR Nabisco, promoting customer match play, you can mess up one Haas inwardly as the ball rose 200 this country innumerable times and Jay enrolled at Southwestern outings and junior golf. hole and it's no big deal. In medal yards in the air and 100 yards off the touched several corners of the Louisiana Institute. Four years in He recently added a deep bow to play, every stroke is important." tee. What the gathering didn't see globe. the Marine Corps took precedence. the nation's golf course superinten- Iionel, like Jay, works for Nabisco. was Haas recover for a birdie 4. Meanwhile, the Hebert name Emerging as a lieutenant, Jay at- dents and a hope that they "enjoy He left the Tour in the mid-1970s, Haas tied for sixth and pocketed may continue to be prominent in tended Louisiana State University the warm hospitality of the great and helped launch the enormously $570. golf. and led LSU to the 1947 NCAA city of New Orleans." popular Senior Tour. The proudest Open moment for Jay and Barbara have two sons championship. The Heberts' hearts remain with Lionel, who turned 64 on Jan. 20, Haas was playing in the 1941 Open —Jean-Paul, in his third year at the Afterthe Heberts graduated from golf courses and their roots. last November led his team to a win at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. University of Texas and on the golf LSU, Houston pros Jimmy Demaret Jay, who in 1968 married Barbara in the two best ball pro-amateur divi- The field included his Dad. Fred Sr. team, and Jason Philippe, a fresh- and Jackie Burke introduced them Henny and moved to Houston, still sion of the inaugural $ 100,000 World and Masters champion Ed Dudley man at Texas A&M, who will be on to some pros in the East.