Tony Lema vs Roberto de Vicenzo - Shell's Wonderful World of Golf - Glyfada Golf Club (1966)

Tony Lema and Roberto de Vicenzo battle it out at the newly built golf course in Glyfada, Athens, Greece just a few months before Lema's tragic death in a plane crash.

[@johnguedel7119]

Maybe 2 of the nicest people to ever swing a golf club

[@cindyrubio284]

Winstar slots

[@vitameat]

DeVicenzo has 2 distinctions that might never be equaled in modern golf... 1. 230 verified worldwide wins 2. The National Open titles of 20 different countries (The Open Championship in 1967 being the biggest) Lema...if not for the tragic plane crash in 1966, I believe he would have had a shot at 40 Pga tour titles.

[@raceching]

The late 'Tony Lema.' He was sensational.

[@Vlaid65]

Peter Thompson said that Tony Lema was one of the best ball strikers he ever saw. RIP Peter.

[@BirdmanDeuce26]

The neat thing for me is how _modern_ both Tony and Roberto's swings are. The reverse-C fad had not yet become a thing, put modern clothes and clubs on both of these guys and they wouldn't look out of place today!

[@golfer5636]

As to Roberto, yes; however Tony had a very pronounced reverse C.

[@joshuawhittemore1283]

Roberto's swing is from the classic swing method. Barrel turn, raised left heel, etc...

[@giulianorocco7242]

There was a time when the best ones were also humble people ...

[@petermelville5980]

Tony was 32, and his Wife died also in the plane crash. You are right humility is lacking today.

[@kevincampbell1086]

Mostly because of tigger

[@Vlaid65]

"I want to see you hit this shot, and I talk for you". Gold.

[@vitameat]

Gene would have wisely punched it low, to get back down the fairway:)

[@redstone5149]

Champagne Tony…R.I.P.

[@altfactor]

"Shell's Wonderful World Of Golf" and the "CBS Golf Classic" aired during an era (the 1960's) when not every PGA tournament was nationally televised. Many golfers and golf fans found these shows to satisfy their desire for televised golf in-between the occasional (at the time) live golf telecasts. Interestingly enough, "Shell" was always filmed (and later taped) in color, although I don't know if the series was shown in color at first.

[@justonemori]

It's a better quality production than any PGA events back then.

[@sherifffdb905]

The CBS golf classic was another great show.

[@kevincampbell1086]

@@justonemori better then, better now. Shows how much the pga has fallen

[@FredCDobbs-er4qd]

Looks like Tony Lema's luck ran out after this match. He was flying in a chartered small aircraft that ran out of fuel near Chicago which was his destination. The pilot tried to land on, of all places a golf course, but the plane hit into a pond and the plane pitched nose down killing both Tony, his wife, the pilot and one other passenger. He was 32 years old.

[@fredericbosmans162]

JR ´

[@allend2749]

yea and that pilot was a woman who failed to check how much gas was in the plane before taking off. I'll never trust another woman.

[@philvaclavik6890]

very sad, the course he crashed at Lansing Country Club has a memorial for Champaign Tony on the 11th hole

[@josephwinters901]

My dad was waiting for Tony when he passed away. My brother Anthony Lema Winters was named after Tony born exactly 3 years after the date of Tony’s funeral.

[@jamesbaine580]

Poor Tony , He loved golf and died on the golf course... Crazy irony

[@Holly1960-]

Those greens were furry in 1966 compared to 2021 greens.

[@kingward8426]

No comparison. Fast greens, hot wedges, and five-piece balls have revolutionized the game.

[@redstone5149]

That’s why so many players back then had wristy pop strokes.

[@eggsmann594]

way cool

[@jorgetoro5645]

These guys are better than today players...hitting straight 300 yards drive ..with butterfly swings easy//

[@justonemori]

I've seen some of today's players smash it 450 on the warm up range. Nothing is easy about 300 yards with 1960s technology, they're so good they make it look easy.

[@jorgetoro5645]

@@justonemori Very true sir.My only concern is that technology is a mix bag of pros and cons.At that moment these players were using the tech available at that moment also.At these days technology is a very complex issue in golf.Maybe someday we will see a US OPEN being held at a 9000 yards golf course.