The Hershey Hurricane-Henry Picard-Hogan’s Mentor-An Interview With The Author

by Mike Fay | Special Events

A very special guest was with us on Aug 21st edition of Ask The Pro on Twitter.  Seamus McGee aka Tim Ryan the author of a brand new book called The Hershey Hurricane-Henry Picard-Hogan’s Mentor.  Tim joined me for about an hour and a half discussing the book and how Picard has been lost among the discussion of golf greats.  Below is a transcript of the live interview on Twitter.  Enjoy!

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Welcome To Ask The Pro…Special guest @SeamusPicMcGee aka Tim Ryan. Author of The Hershey Hurricane-The Story of Henry Picard

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Thanks Mike.  The goal of the book is to introduce Henry Picard to mainstream golf. His story deserves to be told. A CHAMPION!

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

So tell us how long did it take to write the book. Here is a little more about the book….tinyurl.com/3wj8a7e

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Really from the time it was a thought to it being published was 2 years. Really, I’ve been gathering Pic info throughout life.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

For those of us who don’t know Picard, what major things can you share? Without giving away the book?

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Man. What to share….First of.. every person I encountered who knew Pic LIT UP at the very mention of his name.

And as I researched more and more it was clear that all who knew him loved him because he was total class.

What I was most “disappointed” in, though, was that anyone who wrote about Mr. Hogan gave nary a mention of Henry Picard.

This was troubling, bcuz he was significant in Hogan’s playing career and life. So much that Power Golf is dedicated to “Pic”.

So, as Jack Grout’s son told me a month or two ago, and many of Mr. Picard’s friends told me, I have begun to right some wrongs.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Why do you think that is?

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Well, and Pic was tough. He said what was on his mind, which prob. rubbed people wrong.

It’s a great question. Why Pic got left out &  I wrestled with. His modesty. He took zero credit for success of his players.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

I am glad you are bringing these great facts to light!

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Thanks Mike .It is my responsibility I suppose, and that’s why I say often that this is not about ole Seamus McGee getting fame.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

You go into great detail about Picard’s life and struggles as a golf professional during the Great Depression. Tell us…

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

That was alot of fun to dig into, the times he faced, because they were similar to today..Pic was down to $5.27 in his pocket.  Banks closed and the world was ablaze. Mr. Picard was dug deep to survive. I think anyone can learn from the man.

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

How did the name for the book come about?

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Mr. Rice dubbed him the Hershey Hurricane for his stellar play and fact that he seemed to swirl in and pick up wins everywhere.  One of the finest writers of all time, Grantland Rice, who was nicknaming athletes long before Chris Berman was born ..Henry became Head Pro at Hershey Country Club in Pennsylvania, which is what ultimately set him out on the raod to Pro golf…

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

I should ask you since you’ve read the book. What was your favorite part of it?

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

I think the best parts of the book are the ones where Picard rose from adversity.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

In your book you talk about Picard in his younger years. Who influenced him?

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Pic was influenced by several people: Donald Vinton, Head Pro at Plymouth CC in MA took him under his wing and to Charleston CC. Frank Ford, Sr. actually told Henry that “When you beat me on this course you’ll be ready to play on the Professional circuit.  When Picard got out and played as a Pro, Walter Hagen took him under his wing alot. They were friends for life… There were alot of other influences Pic had. A gem and a beauty named Johnny Revolta was one of his best friends…..But…. ALEX MORRISON was the biggest influence on Mr. Picard. Sadly, too few teaching today even know who Mr. Morrison was..

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Just like you said being a golf professional in that time was not unlike today.

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

So true! That was the premise of me writing it felt like so many PGA Professionals could learn and relate. As it is, many have!

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

From an instructional stand point…please tell us more about his relationship with Hogan

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Neat thing happened to me the other day. I spoke with a student and friend of Henry’s who read the book and said I “nailed it.” He talked about what Pic told him about his time with Ben Hogan, and what he really taught him. Ultimately, Picard taught Hogan to weaken his grip, and showed him a little spot at the top of where to “kink” his wrist.

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

I suppose that led to a more open club face?

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Bingo!

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Tell us about Pinehurst

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

The neatest sequence I found was the one that took place at Pinehurst, where Ben was waiting for Henry in parking lot.  It’s a beauty in the book, and happened just as I reported it. Hogan waiting for Pic for a lesson. They get to 1st tee and… Pic throws his wallet down. Says “Bet you all of it in there you can’t outdrive me.” Hogan loses it right, again.  Picard gives him another ball and tells him to turn up the power “WHIP IT!” Hogan does as told and pounds it down the pipe. Turning up the power squared the clubface and then Ben Hogan started to become a champion and we all forgot about Pic. Similar swing thought that Bobby Jones had, but I do believe it was more to cure nerves when he was losing ball to right.

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

You say that Picard played with Jones was there a relationship?

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

They were friends! Mr. Jones is actually significant in the first couple of chapters of the book, w/a few sweet lil anecdotes

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Talk about Picard and Hagan….

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Picard was actually the first one to deliver a Professional playoff loss to Walter Hagen- coincidentally, in Greensboro.  After the loss, Hagen gave the reporters some great quotes, specifically that “Pic is the pick of the pack.”

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Tell us about Picard and Sarazen and the 4 inches…

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

Ahha! love that one! In a tournament. Sarazen stood 4 inches from Picard’s ball as he was getting ready to to hit his shot.  Pic didn’t say anything and hit his shot on the green. Turned to Eugenio, and had some unfavorable words for him.  Hagen then sat down the young champion and talked to him for an hour +. Much of conversation is in the book!

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Why don’t you think that Picard has been lost in today’s conversion about the greats of golf?

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

It’s for a number of reasons…Modesty. World War. The presence of so many greats right behind him and Bobby Jones of the era.

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Well on behalf of all of us golf lovers, thank you for writing this great book and shedding some light on Henry Picard!

@SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

But like I say in the book, things like @chambleebrandel stating “Ben Hogan NEVER had an instructor” and others misstating.

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Good point!

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Thank you so much for spending the evening with us! We would love to have you on Ask The Pro anytime!

SeamusPicMcGee Tim Ryan

My honor. I really wish for everyone to start remembering and acknowledging Mr. Picard’s significance to our great game.

@new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Tonight’s conversation with @SeamusPicMcGee the author of the Hershey Hurricane-Henry Picard can be found at www.mikefaygolf.com

new.mikefaygolf Mike Fay, PGA

Thanks for a great evening and hope to have you on Ask The Pro again!