Master spoofer and an IAPH founding member, Alan Abel usually does media hoaxes
rather than ones directed at a more specific audience (as many of the other IAPH members do).
But on one hilarious occasion in 1976 he masqueraded as a golf instructor to spoof a meeting
of broadcasting executives. The meeting was held in Chicago and Alan, hired by Westinghouse,
was there posing as Julius Bristol and dressed in expensive golf clothes.

His claim to fame was a recent defeat of Che Che Rodriquez at a prominent tournament.
He purported to have developed a technique to improve players’ golf swings by incorporating
several ballet moves. When the local golf pro got wind of Alan’s claim, he challenged him
to a putting match. Alan accepted the challenge in spite of his lack of golfing skills.
(Alan had never actually played the game of golf.)

When the time came to see who was the better  putter, Alan began a series of delaying tactics.
A crowd had gathered and as they awaited the putting contest, became annoyed
with Alan’s various methods. He would examine the grass closely, measure the distance
from putting line to the hole very meticulously, spray bug repellant on it, do exercises with his arms,
 wrists and fingers, use a tuning fork to test for air frequencies that could affect his shot
and eat his lunch. The pro was agitated beyond comprehension.

He made a shot and it was a hole in one. Alan hit the synthetic turf with his putter, claiming
it was intentional to test the strength of his club. Then he took a shot and missed widely.
The dozens of onlookers laughed openly. The pro just shook his head and left.