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Story
July 6, 1953
The Daily Record
Dunn, Harnett County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Diminutive golfer Felice Torza reaches PGA semi-finals at Birmingham Country Club, fueled by belief his late infant son Donald guides him to victory. He upset champions like Sarazen and Turnesa, faces Isaacs next.
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BY OSCAR FRALEY
(UP Sports Writer)
BIRMINGHAM, Mich.(UP)
Tiny Felice Torza went out today to win another one "for the baby up in heaven."
Felice meets Jack Isaacs of Langley, Va., in one of the two semi-final matches, for the PGA golf championship at Birmingham Country Club. But the little man isn't worried.
"He has wanted me to come this far," the deeply religious Torza explained. "I'm sure he wants me to go all the way. If he does I will."
The five-foot-six inch iron artist was talking about the son who was born to his wife last January at Galveston, Tex., the son they happily named, Donald. Little Donald only lived six weeks and Felice still gets a catch in his throat when he talks about him.
"I've got the shots and I know he wants me to win it." the dark-haired mite of the fairways said as he eased onto a bench in front of his locker after beating tournament toughened Jimmy Clark in Sunday's quarter-finals. "My wife feels the same way. I've called her every night after I've won and she isn't ever surprised. She knows it too."
There was no mockery in the little man's tones. nothing but a flat statement of accepted facts.
Nor Felice pointed out. does he think any less of his other son two and one-half year old Douglas.
"It's hard to explain," he added. "I just know he wants it."
That faith, and an almost naive confidence and lack of tension, can make Torza really the man to beat among the four survivors who include New Yorker Claude Harmon and Detroiter Wally Burkemo.
This is his first crack at the PGA, which makes his progress even as far as-the semi-finals something exceptional. And he didn't have a soft path this far, beating Gene Sarazen in the first round. defending champion Jim Turnesa in the second. Wally Ul-rich in the third and then Clark.
He had to crack home a birdie on the 585-yard last hole to do it. too, and that distance is more suited to the long-hitting Clark.
(UP Sports Writer)
BIRMINGHAM, Mich.(UP)
Tiny Felice Torza went out today to win another one "for the baby up in heaven."
Felice meets Jack Isaacs of Langley, Va., in one of the two semi-final matches, for the PGA golf championship at Birmingham Country Club. But the little man isn't worried.
"He has wanted me to come this far," the deeply religious Torza explained. "I'm sure he wants me to go all the way. If he does I will."
The five-foot-six inch iron artist was talking about the son who was born to his wife last January at Galveston, Tex., the son they happily named, Donald. Little Donald only lived six weeks and Felice still gets a catch in his throat when he talks about him.
"I've got the shots and I know he wants me to win it." the dark-haired mite of the fairways said as he eased onto a bench in front of his locker after beating tournament toughened Jimmy Clark in Sunday's quarter-finals. "My wife feels the same way. I've called her every night after I've won and she isn't ever surprised. She knows it too."
There was no mockery in the little man's tones. nothing but a flat statement of accepted facts.
Nor Felice pointed out. does he think any less of his other son two and one-half year old Douglas.
"It's hard to explain," he added. "I just know he wants it."
That faith, and an almost naive confidence and lack of tension, can make Torza really the man to beat among the four survivors who include New Yorker Claude Harmon and Detroiter Wally Burkemo.
This is his first crack at the PGA, which makes his progress even as far as-the semi-finals something exceptional. And he didn't have a soft path this far, beating Gene Sarazen in the first round. defending champion Jim Turnesa in the second. Wally Ul-rich in the third and then Clark.
He had to crack home a birdie on the 585-yard last hole to do it. too, and that distance is more suited to the long-hitting Clark.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Fate Providence
Family
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Pga Golf Championship
Felice Torza
Deceased Son
Faith Motivation
Semi Finals
Birdie Win
What entities or persons were involved?
Felice Torza
Jack Isaacs
Jimmy Clark
Gene Sarazen
Jim Turnesa
Wally Ulrich
Claude Harmon
Wally Burkemo
Donald Torza
Douglas Torza
Where did it happen?
Birmingham Country Club, Birmingham, Mich.
Story Details
Key Persons
Felice Torza
Jack Isaacs
Jimmy Clark
Gene Sarazen
Jim Turnesa
Wally Ulrich
Claude Harmon
Wally Burkemo
Donald Torza
Douglas Torza
Location
Birmingham Country Club, Birmingham, Mich.
Event Date
Semi Finals Of Pga Golf Championship; Birth Last January In Galveston, Tex.
Story Details
Tiny golfer Felice Torza, motivated by faith that his deceased infant son Donald wants him to win, advances to PGA semi-finals by defeating top players including Gene Sarazen, Jim Turnesa, Wally Ulrich, and Jimmy Clark with a birdie on the last hole.