Expecting the Unexpected at Golden Horseshoe
I f you worked at Williamsburg ’ s Golden Horseshoe at any time during the last 75 years , you never knew who might show up on your property .
Maybe they played one of Colonial Williamsburg ’ s three courses — Gold , Green or Spotswood . Maybe , like Queen Elizabeth and countless actors , actresses and dignitaries , they never lifted a club . In 2007 , she hitched a ride on Marine One — used to transport the president of the United States — which landed on the Gold Course .
But for every Perry Como or John Wayne , who starred in television specials or shoot- ‘ em-up films that used CW as a backdrop but ignored golf , there were other celebrities who dropped by to try their hand at Robert Trent Jones ’ creation . They left memories , large and small , with those they came across .
President Lyndon B . Johnson took on the Gold Course when he came to Williamsburg in 1967 . Golden Horseshoe pro George Tinsley and head caddie Arthur “ Kitten ” Wynn accompanied him on the journey .
To ensure some modicum of privacy , the president skipped the first two holes of the front nine . Armed Secret Service men tracked his every move , and three caddies lugged the bags .
“ You just don ’ t forget something like that ,” Tinsley recalled 30 years later . “ He played rather well , and I would consider him a relatively good golfer . . . I think he was just a few shots over par for the seven holes .”
Although they never played together again , that wasn ’ t the end of their relationship . Johnson phoned Tinsley several times over the years seeking advice on how he could improve .
Kitten ’ s story is quirkier . Johnson thirsted for a soft drink while playing . No one in his party had any change — except Kitten . He popped 20 cents into the machine and handed Johnson his drink .
When the round was over , Kitten asked someone with CW to get his money back from the president . He was told he should let it go .
But Kitten approached Johnson , held out his hand , and asked to be reimbursed . Johnson reached into his pocket and handed over a couple of dimes .
“ He was making more money than I was ,” Kitten recalled recently . “ I figured , ‘ Why not ?’”
Kitten played a round with Vice President Dan Quayle and came away impressed with his game . The two had a friendly bet that Kitten could outdrive him using his 4-wood .
“ And I did ,” he said , “ except his shots hit the middle of the fairway . Mine . . .”
Tinsley worked and entertained dignitaries such as Secretary of State Dean Rusk , Governor and Senator Chuck Robb , and golf luminaries Gary Player , Bruce Devlin , Nicklaus , and Arnold Palmer , among others .
Del Snyder , perhaps the most famous CW golf professional because of his close relationship with Sam Snead , gave lessons to President Gerald R . Ford .
President George H . W . Bush made several trips to Williamsburg . He sought to play the Gold Course on one of those excursions — but had no socks ( Who packed his bag ?).
Kitten played a round with Vice President Dan Quayle and came away impressed with his game . The two had a friendly bet that Kitten could outdrive him using his 4-wood .
Arthur “ Kitten ” Wynn , left , caddied for many dignitaries at The Golden Horseshoe .
Bush found what he was looking for in the pro shop , but when he went to pay , he was told the socks were a gift .
“ Nonsense ,” Bush replied , or something to that effect as he pulled out his wallet . “ You folks work for a living . I ’ ll pay for the socks .”
But the strangest story involves former director of golf Glen Byrnes .
A Nike representative walked into the Gold Course pro shop one day and informed Byrnes that a young pro from the Chicago Bulls — Michael Jordan — was meeting him there .
Byrnes admits that at the time he paid no attention to college or pro basketball and could not name a single player — including Jordan — who insisted that Byrnes join him on the course . With mandatory meetings scheduled , Byrnes finally sent Jordan out and promised to catch up to him .
A bit later , while on the phone with the pro at another club , Byrnes mentioned there was an NBA player on the course . When asked who , Byrnes said , “ Jordan .”
“ Michael Jordan is playing your golf course and you ’ re talking to me ,” his friend said . “ You better get your ( rump ) out there , now !”
Byrnes did as he was advised . How did it turn out ?
Jordan ’ s still waiting on a rematch .
THE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION
40 V IRGINIA G OLFER | JULY / AUGUST 2022
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