Stylish reminder of his pal

One in a series of articles getting you ready for the U.S. Open at Merion, June 13-16.

BOB PREWITT has a green jacket story that he can't tell often enough.

And it has nothing to do with Augusta National.

His is a tale of friendship and mutual passions. And it's as important to him as just about anything in his world. It will have even that much more significance next week, when the U.S. Open returns to Ardmore and Merion's renowned East Course for the first time in 32 years.

Prewitt, the president of Dana Communications marketing, has had a hearty relationship with golf since boyhood, an affair of the soul that was fostered by his late father. Through his business travels he became close with Austin Miller, a prominent Philadelphia attorney and Merion member. After Miller passed away in 2006 Prewitt was invited by Miller's daughter, Jody Hill, to his house, where she was sorting through her father's personal things.

"I knew him pretty well," said the 65-year-old Prewitt, now a 15-handicapper who lives in Princeton. "He also loved wine, and sake, so we had that in common too. Believe me we had a lot of good times . . . All of a sudden [Hill] pulls out this green jacket, and on the [chest] pocket right there, embroidered in full color, is the Merion [wicker basket] logo. Which of course is the best logo in golf, or maybe anywhere. So simple and elegant. I said, 'Oh my God, that's fantastic.' I'm just looking at it. So she says, 'Try it on. It's a 46 long.' Well, I'm a 46 long. She says, 'Guess what? That's your jacket now.' I cried. I literally got teary."

It was Miller's member jacket, with the old "1912" logo (it has subsequently been changed to "1896"). As far as Prewitt was concerned, it might as well have been the Holy Grail. Priceless. Because it belonged to a man with whom he'd shared so many memories. And because Merion happens to be Prewitt's favorite golf course.

"It's one of those places where you remember every nook and cranny," he said. "Every time I've ever played it, I could get up the next morning and recite my round. You stand on every tee and just think to yourself, 'This is what golf's supposed to be . . . '

"I believe things happen for a reason. I had no idea [Miller] had something like that. He never told me. I didn't see it until Jody showed me. She's looking at it like maybe she'll just throw it out. It probably didn't mean that much to her since she's not into golf. But it was beyond anything I could've ever imagined.

"He knew how much I loved and appreciated Merion. He actually took me to dinner there. I told him how lucky he was. For me, it's just so special. It's an honor. I feel like every time I wear the jacket that somehow I'm a part of it. It's hard to explain. I think he would tease me to death if he could see me when I have it on. I'm about 6-feet tall. But when I walk in with all the golf people there, I'm 6-6. I've got my chest so puffed out, and everyone comments on the jacket with a kind of sigh, like 'Oh wow,' that kind of thing.

"Knowing Austin he'd just shake his head and say, 'Look at that peacock.' He would've got as much of a kick out of it as me."

Austin's son Peter said he can't think of anyone else who should've ended up with one of the prized pieces of his dad's wardrobe.

"He was really proud to be a member there," said Peter, who was a standard-bearer during the 1971 Open when Lee Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus in an epic 18-hole Monday playoff. "He had lots of neat stories and all that. And he had a special relationship with [Prewitt]. That was probably dad's favorite jacket. He wore it a lot. It really, really meant a lot to him. So we're super glad that Bob has it. He cherishes it, which for us is the most important thing. He's a golf fanatic. I don't think the people there would be offended, or whatever the word is, that Bob has it. The ones that I know, they think it's great.

"My dad would be thrilled to know that Bob loves it as much as he did. There's so much of who he was in there. It's awesome, all the way around."

Prewitt takes the jacket out in public sparingly, which is the way it should be. One such occasion is an annual trip to Kiawah Island (S.C.) Resort, which is one of his clients and where they hold a charitable fund-raiser. He's worn it to Merion once, when he played in the member-guest tournament with P.J. Boatwright III, son of the former USGA executive director. He admits he was a bit nervous. But his trepidation turned out to be unwarranted.

"I thought they might not think I was worthy," Prewitt recalled. "But they just thought it was cool, especially when I told them how it became mine. That seems to be the natural reaction. People want to hug me. Some of us have Jack Nicklaus' autograph, or this or that, or whatever. But that's my piece of history. And it's magical. I feel like it should be in a museum. I could have a jacket from the Masters and it wouldn't be any better.

"There's nothing anyone could offer me for it. I grew up believing that golf was more than a game. And this really is a symbol for me of how much golf has given me. It's remarkable to even think about it. If somebody tried to steal it from me, I'd lose my life to keep it. I've got 10 suits and nine sport coats hanging in my closet. The Merion jacket's the only one in a garment bag. I'm not sure I shouldn't have it in storage."

His older brother Michael, a minister, has been waging a battle against brain cancer. The last few months have been difficult. Prewitt is hoping to get out to Merion for a couple of practice rounds, depending on Michael's situation. He's hoping they can watch the final round together. Prewitt will have his jacket on, over one of his handful of Merion golf shirts, drinking a gin and tonic out of a Merion high-ball glass that he also got from Austin's daughter.

"I can't tell you how much I'm going to enjoy this Open, knowing how having that jacket makes me feel," he said. "Michael told me, 'I've never been jealous of you, but I wish I was a 46 long.' He's about 5-10. But I'm going to make sure he gets to wear it that day."