First Kentucky Derby & Golf with Bobby Craigs, PGA

KPGA Centennial Year Highlight
By Bob Denney, PGA

April 29 to May 2, 1936

Instead of baseball bats, golf clubs were in Babe Ruth’s hands during a visit to Louisville. Upon arriving at 11:33 a.m. on Wednesday of Derby Week with his wife, Claire, and daughter, Julia, Ruth said, “I’ve been waiting 20 years for a chance to see the Kentucky Derby, and here I am.” The 62nd running of the “greatest two minutes in sport” was three days away. It also was 11 months after The Babe’s final appearance as a baseball player.

Ruth was in town as the guest of John A. “Bud” Hillerich, the man who transformed his father’s woodworking company into one that manufactured the bats used and endorsed by the Yankees slugger. They had been friendly for some years.

It all begin in1918, when Ruth sent a thank-you note to Hillerich after the latter paid him a $100 endorsement fee to place his signatures on Louisville Slugger bats.Fifteen years later, Ruth personally invited Hillerich to attend a dinner he gave at the New York Athletic Club to celebrate the All-American Board of Baseball writers who helped select Ruth’s annual “All-American teams.” Then in October 1934, Hillerich and his wife, Rose, had accompanied 14 major-league players and their families, including Babe, Claire, and Julia, on their trip to Japan, where the “Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig All-Stars” went 17-0. 

After the series, Bud and Rose joined the Ruths, Lefty and June Gomez, and a few others as they continued their trip around the world, visiting Java, Bali, Egypt, Venice, Paris, St. Moritz, and London. Expanding his PowerBilt golf-club line, Hillerich provided Ruth and other players with free clubs for offseason play in Florida. No doubt personal bonds were formed over the years due to these connections.

Fast forward to Derby week in 1936, Ruth was two hours after stepping off the train and checking into his suite at the Kentucky Hotel. He was then off to Audubon Country Club for a quick 18 holes of golf. He met Ward Hillerich, Bud’s son, a three-time defending club champion. Ruth’s partner in the best-ball competition was Bobby Craigs, the PGA Head Professional and a future member of the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame. Hillerich was paired with “Wild” Bill Mehlhorn, a noted touring professional who had 20 wins on the PGA tour.

Ruth was passionate about golf, and he played quite frequently. For example, during the 1932 offseason, he played well at the West Coast Open tournament, leading the amateurs. His powerful swing and marvelous hand/eye coordination served him well on the golf course. However, Ruth and his partner were bested by Hillerich’s team, 3 and 2, on that first day at Audubon, despite his drive that went 300 yards on the fourth hole. Individual scores were also kept, and Ruth shot an 84.

One observer said, “The Babe cracks the ball like a willowy kid despite the tremendous depth and breadth of his chest and shoulders.” Ruth called for a rematch, vowing to do better now that he had played the course.

Before play began the next day, Ruth was made an honorary member of the Kentucky Association of Left-Handed Golfers. On the course, the public had been invited to what he called “a grudge match,” and, in front of a gallery of spectators, he improved his score to 80, with his team winning, 1 up.

Ruth had been allowed to have a six-stroke handicap.

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