A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

Recent entries:
“Welcome to growing older. Where all the foods and drinks you’ve loved for years suddenly seem determined to destroy you” (4/17)
“Date someone who drinks with you instead of complaining that you drink” (4/17)
“Definition of stupid: Knowing the truth, seeing evidence of the truth, but still believing the lie” (4/17)
“Definition of stupid: Knowing the truth, seeing the evidence of the truth, but still believing the lie” (4/17)
“Government creates the crises so it can ‘rescue’ you with the loss of freedom” (4/17)
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Entry from January 13, 2016
“Give me golf clubs, fresh air, and a beautiful partner”

American comedian and actor Jack Benny (1894-1974) was has been quoted with this golf gem (cited in print since at least 1959):
 
“Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.”
 
The jocular quotation has been printed in many golf books.
 
   
Wikipedia: Jack Benny
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky; February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American comedian, vaudevillian, radio, television, and film actor, and violinist. Recognized as a leading American entertainer of the 20th century, Benny portrayed his character as a miser, playing his violin badly. In character, he would claim to be 39 years of age, regardless of his actual age.
 
Benny was known for comic timing, and the ability to create laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated “Well!” His radio and television programs, popular from the 1930s to the 1970s, were a major influence on the sitcom genre.
     
19 November 1959, Aberdeen (SD) American-News, “Earl WIlson’s New York,” pg. 4, col. 5:
He (Milton Gross—ed.) quotes Jack Benny: “Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.”
   
26 November 1961, New York (NY) Times, “Swinging” compiled by Edward F. Murphy, Magazine, pg. SM80, col. 2:
“Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.”—Jack Benny.
 
Google News Archive
24 August 1963, The Daily News (Virgin Islands), “Benny: Women Golfers Here To Stay” by Milton Gross (NANA), pg. 15, col. 3:
Jack Benny once said: “Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air, and a beautiful partner, and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.”
 
Google Books
101 Great Golf Jokes and Stories
By Stan McDougal
New York, NY: Citadel Press
1968
Pg. 57:
In the immortal words of Maurice Nikros: “Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air and a beautiful partner . . . and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.”
 
Google Books
The Great American Sports Book:
Reminiscences of Unforgetable [sic] Events and Personalities in the Thrilling Story of American Sports

By George Gipe and Harriet B. Helmer
Geneva, IL: Hall of Fame Press
1980
Pg. 64:
“Give me my golf clubs, the fresh air, and a beautiful partner, and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air.” — Jack Benny
 
Google Books
The Quotable Golfer:
The Greatest Things Ever Said about the Greatest @*!!?#! Game Ever Played

By Robert Windeler
Philadelphia, PA: Running Press Book Publishers
1998
Pg. 167:
Give me golf clubs, the fresh air and a beautiful partner and you can keep my golf clubs and the fresh air. — Jack Benny
 
Google Books
The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said
By Robert Byrne
New York, NY: Touchstone
2012
Pg. ?:
1,777
Give me golf clubs, fresh air, and a beautiful partner and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air. —Jack Benny ...
 
Twitter
Jewish Comedians
‏@JewishComedians
Jack Benny: Give me golf clubs, fresh air, and a beautiful partner. Then you can keep the golf clubs and fresh air. | #Quotes
2:53 PM - 13 Jan 2016

Posted by Barry Popik
New York CitySports/Games • Wednesday, January 13, 2016 • Permalink


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