Horatio Alger Lived In Columbus Ohio

When I was in graduate school studying Progressivism of the early 20th century I read a story about Horatio Alger. This fictitious young boy was born into poverty and through diligence and hard work became a great success because he lived in America.

In the past few days I've made the friendship of a man from Hickory, North Carolina. He travels the country marshaling at PGA tournament events. The Muirfield golf club in Dublin, Ohio is holding two events back to back. Yesterday, the man came to our home after he was finishing his days toil. He likes to get a remembrance of every venue he visits. He was hoping for a Memorial pin but they didn't have one.

On one of my man cave shelves I have a flag from the Presidents Cup that took place across the street a few years ago. It's now his. I also have a visor from the very first Memorial golf tournament with the year 1976 written on the front. He is now the owner of that one, too. I've looked at it for a number of years and if I can make someone else happy then so be it.

On the bill of the cap are two autographs. One is of Robert Hoag. He was my neighbor and dear friend who passed away five years ago. Mr. Hoag was a personal friend and long time playing playing partner of Jack Nicklaus. The other autograph is that of a man very few have heard of but they should because the Horatio Alger story could have been written about him. He, like Mr. Hoag, is one of the original founders of Muirfield Village golf club. His name is Pandel Savic. He passed away in 2018.

Mr. Savic, as a lad of nine, lived in Macedonia. His mother passed away. His father lived in America trying to make a life for his family back home and when he did he would send for them. In 1936 Savic's mother died. His uncle took him to a train station when he was nine. He made his way took the coast and took a ship to America landing at Ellis Is. not knowing a word of English. All he had on his body aside from his clothes was a sign reading: 'Youngstown Ohio'. People headed him in the right direction via a train and he finally made it to that Ohio steel town. As Savic grew he became a very proficient athlete in all sports. As he later stated, "I knew sports was my way out of the mills."

He was determined to go to Ohio State and he won a scholarship to play football. But WWII interfered, So, he joined the Marines and fought in the Pacific front. Okinawa was his last duty but he survived to come back to the US and Ohio St. In 1949, as quarterback he led the Buckeyes to their first ever Rose Bowl win.

Mr. Savic, after graduation, then started his own personal security business on the local level. In time it would become the largest in the United States, He lived his life in Upper Arlington, Ohio across the street from a fella named Jack Nicklaus. They became great friends and Nicklaus taught him how to play the game, one where he had never lifted a club beforehand, to become better than good; finishing second in the U.S. Amateur twice.

Isn't this amazing? And to think it all started with a little nine year old boy who couldn't speak a lick of English with a sign around his neck reading 'Youngstown Ohio'.

Only in America!