October 7th, 2017

Timeline – 1969 Part 2

by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne

Hi and Lois Sunday page color proof, May 11, 1969.

It’s opening day of the golf season for Hi and Thirsty in this classic episode from our archives. Golf is not only one of their favorite pastimes, the strip’s original creators Mort Walker and Dik Browne were also dedicated duffers.

Dik once described golf as, “An obscene act indulged in by consenting adults.”

Some of the stories of his golfing adventures are legendary. Here is one of my favorites.

One windy day, Dik was trying unsuccessfully to light a cigarette on the golf course. “Hit the ball, Dik,” yelled his partners impatiently. He put the “unlit” cigarette in his pocket, hit his ball, and was striding down the fairway when someone in the distance called, “Hey! You’re on fire!” “No, I just got a lucky shot,” Dik called back. Billows of yellow smoke trailed behind him and his buddies ran back, ripped the jacket off his back and stomped on it. Unshaken, Dik put on the jacket and felt in the pocket. “Darn it!” he said, “You mashed my Tootsie Roll.”

The Sunday page above was clearly written and drawn by golfers who understood the frustrations of the game. It was an important part of Mort and Dik’s lives.

We will continue our Timeline series from 1969 next week, so be sure to come back for more.

– Brian Walker