Dear carrie,
Thanks for the kind words.
I know that Locke was filmed when he was a child prodigy, but really don't know exactly when or by what organization.
The Shell Wonderful World of Golf series, unfortunately didn't crank up until the 1960s after Locke's career had peaked (1957) and after his train accident. The new series is produced for
ESPN. Maybe, just maybe, they have something archived.
The World Golf Village inducted Locke into the
Hall of Fame, and perhaps they have some sort of historical archive that includes footage.
Since Locke won four British Opens (1949, 1950, 1952, and 1957), and since the
BBC, has a keen interest in this event, perhaps the BBC has some footage, or perhaps the event's sponsor the
Royal & Ancient, has some. Peter Allis is a BBC commentator who played matches with Locke in the 1950s.
British Open history and event footage is another possible source, but the standard event coverage only starts in 1967. The one with Peter Allis looks promising. However, there are a few "historical" videos that say they have rare vintage footage included. I haven't seen these, but here's a list from British sources. (I think the British videos have a technical standard that is different and perhaps incompatible with US video players.)
Quadrant Videos, and Amazon.com (UK), sell these videos, and maybe Amazon.com (US) also:
Open Championship;
Century of Golf;
Golden Greats of Golf with Peter Allis,
Legend of the Open.
Another possible source is the Golf Hall of Fame in Foxborough, Massachussets, if it is still there. Locke was inducted in 1972. Perhaps the
Foxborough CC knows something.
In South Africa, these sources come to mind as possibilities:
South African Broadcasting Corp.;
Gary Player;
Ernie Els, ;
the South African PGA & Tour;
and the South African Open (won by Locke nine times, second only to Player - who won it 13 times).
Vodaco, the SA phone giant, has a longtime interest in SA golf, and maybe they have something.
Locke was from the Johannesburg area, so maybe
a library or newspaper there can help.
There is a
SA Sports Illustrated,
and a
SA Golf Digest, which has not yet gotten going. Perhaps the US
Golf Digest can help.
Another lead is
Dunlop Sports. Dunlop Golf Balls signed Locke to an endorsement contract, and perhaps they have something. Thay also produced a small book on Locke in the 1950s.
One possibility is the
Farnham Golf Club, England, where Locke hung out. He played some exhibition matches there, one with Peter Allis and one with Gary Player.
Finally, perhaps the
Golf Channel, has something in their video archive.
(And of course there is my modest animation from Locke's book on my website,
the PuttingZone.com.)
Cheers!
Geoff Mangum
Putting Theorist and Instructor
http://puttingzone.com
Elite instruction from the World's most comprehensive resources.
over 2,000 page visits per week and growing strong...
PS - if you haven't already, please join my free PuttingZone Mail List and get the good stuff first! Go here:
PZ Newsletter.