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"Because I'm trying to hit it too damn hard just to keep up with this kid," Palmer responded, flustered.
It was a lost cause. Palmer would later claim that he had won this long-ball contest, but witnesses reported that the players hit about 15 drives each, and with the aid of some friendly bounces Arnold kept up with Jack maybe three or four times.
Palmer was embarrassed and a little upset that Blosser called extra attention to it. But Palmer still had the better-ball match coming up, and even though Nicklaus would be his teammate, he could still outplay him, still show the boy what was what.
Blosser's players drew straws to see who would caddie for whom. Snyder got Palmer, Vandlik got Nicklaus, Santor got Finsterwald, and Reichley got Saunders.
Finsterwald and Saunders were the favorites, as most assumed that young Nicklaus would be a drag on Palmer.
Dow knew every blade of grass and grain of sand on the Ross design; he also owned the course record (63). Palmer had never seen the place, but he caught a major break in the form of his caddie, Snyder, an Athens member who had recently won his fifth consecutive club championship. Snyder could provide whatever local knowledge Palmer might need.
All but emasculated by Nicklaus in the game before the game, Palmer opened the team match with a fury, hitting his first approach shot to within a foot of the hole, tapping in for the easy 3 while the others made par. Palmer added birdies on two of the next three holes. If Palmer couldn't beat Nicklaus in the driving contest, he would make darn sure that everyone saw him carry Nicklaus during this match.
Snyder held the nine-hole record (29) at Athens and was certain it would be broken. Palmer would solicit Snyder's advice, but not always take it.
"He'd say, 'Larry, what would you hit here?' " Snyder says. "I'd tell him it was 175 yards, and I'd probably hit a five-iron. He'd hit a four-iron and almost knock it in the hole for a gimme birdie.
On the 6th hole, a par-5, he hooked his tee shot into the rough. He says, 'How far away?' I say, 'Probably 200 yards. I'd hit the four-wood.' He hit a three- or four-iron and knocked it onto the green."
Palmer dropped a 25-foot putt on the 476-yard hole to get his eagle. He was already playing a game the kid on his bag could hardly believe.
Snyder had been caddying for 10 years. He used to shag balls for Finsterwald for eight hours a day, 50 cents an hour, and he would try to mimic Dow's beautiful swing.
"But Dow didn't have the personality that Arnold had," Snyder says. "Not very many people did."
Palmer nearly aced the par-3 8th with a four-iron after Snyder advised him to clear the pond with a five-iron. Another birdie. On the next hole Palmer had a 12-foot putt to tie Snyder's record. Palmer missed, much to his caddie's relief. Palmer settled for a six-under 30 on the front side.
