Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s quote “Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius” is from the novel “The Valley of Fear.” He was a Scottish writer and physician best known for creating the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

Doyle’s quote reflects the idea that individuals with exceptional talent or genius recognize and appreciate excellence in others, while those with a mediocre mindset may struggle to perceive or acknowledge it. While this notion may or may not be entirely accurate. The fact is that talent incorporates hard work, skill and knowledge. Talented people are sharply honed and tuned instruments built from years of dedication, study and experience.

Suffice it to say, Jack Grout had that talent for recognizing ability or promise in others.

(This newspaper article is positioned below for better visibility and readability)

Look for Snead to Top Jones’ Records: Grout

By Frank Tolbert
Star-Telegram Sports Writer
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Wednesday, December 29, 1937, Page 8

While smoking practice drives down the fairway at Glen Garden yesterday, Jack Grout suggested between grunts that in Slamming Sammy Snead of White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., we have the greatest golfer in the world about to visit us.

“He murders the ball. He has all of the shots and the perfect golfing temperament. He should break all of Bobby Jones’ records. Wait until you see Saturday,” said Grout. And then he swung and the ball pinged on straight flight into the mist that lay about the course.

Grout teams with Snead in an 18-hole best-ball match with two more of the top-whisker pros of the Nation, Henry Picard of Hershey, Pa., and Johnny Revolta, the Lincolnesque young man from Chicago, at Colonial Club Saturday afternoon.

They will swing off the first tee at 2 o’clock.

Picard is driving here from Hershey. Snead and Revolta will come by forced marches from the tournament closing Wednesday at Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Grout, who is visiting his brother, Dick Grout, at Glen Garden, last appeared in the tournament at Nassau, Bahamas, finishing fourth. Jack is assistant to Picard at Hershey’s four courses.

Jack is wearing a saddle-colored tan from the Bahamas sun. And he should keep it. For he will leave here Sunday for the Los Angeles Open.

Almost any ranking pro golfer could soundly whip John (La Verne Moore) Montague, Grout says.

With the smoke of mystery removed, Montague has some embarrassing moments ahead. Jack places Montague in about the same golfing classification with Babe Ruth, “powerful with the woods, fairish with his irons, very clumsy on the greens.”

Jack thinks Fort Worth’s Ben Hogan will be right up in the top bracket after another year of seasoning in the big tournaments.

Grout and the other three pros will move up to Dallas for a display Sunday.

Picard and Revolta are International Four-Ball champs for the last three years. For three years they’ve been undefeated in best-ball matches.

There’ll be a gallery fee of $1.10.

“And watch Snead drive that No. 7 green at Colonial if the wind’s with him,” said Jack. No. 7 is an ornery 389-yard hole.

No. 7 made Babe Didrikson speak in annoyed and picturesque phrases early last autumn.

January 1, 1938, Johnny Revolta, Henry Picard, Jack Grout and Sam Snead during their Four-Ball Match at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas