Babe Ruth and Others at Rye Golf Club – a Historical Reference
A great piece in the Chicago Tribune celebrates the life of a long time golf club pro Dick Carparelli who passed at age 100. What caught our eye was how Carparelli developed his love of golf while working as a caddie at the Rye Country Club "carrying the clubs of such celebrities as Mack Sennett, the director of the “Keystone Cops,” Al Jolson and Babe Ruth ("He could play,” Carparelli said)."
Rye Country Club was a predecessor club to Rye Golf Club.
The piece:
"Longtime Beverly Country Club golf pro Dick Carparelli dies at 100
Angelo “Dick” Carparelli, who was as sturdy a BCC fixture as the course’s many stately trees, died Wednesday of natural causes. He was 100 years old.
More than 70 of those years were spent at the club. "He was a living institution who helped bridge all the generations at the club," said club member and businessman Bill Kingore. "He was also a great inspiration as a gentleman.”
Carparelli was born Angelo Nicole Carparelli in Harrison, N.Y., one of 10 kids growing up in a house near that of golfing great Gene Sarazen. He played all sports during high school but got particularly hooked on golf when he worked as a caddie at the Rye Country Club in New York, carrying the clubs of such celebrities as Mack Sennett, the director of the “Keystone Cops,” Al Jolson and Babe Ruth ("He could play,” Carparelli said).
…“Over the course of his career Dick gave thousands of lessons to members, guests and celebrities,” said club member and Illinois Appellate Court Judge Terrence Lavin. “How to drive, chip and putt. But his best lesson was how to live a great life. He showed up to work every day with a smile and a purpose. Dick was a pro and a gentleman in the best way imaginable. He’ll not be forgotten.”"
