The Washington herald., 1910-01-16
By WILLIAM PEET.

The Chevy Chase Golf Club last fall
decided in quiet way to make a change
in its professional Jimmy Douglas, who
has taught the young idea how TO golf.
and played match games with some OF
our leading citizens. including President
Taft, was released and his place filled by
a modest young man with Tuddy cheeks,
clear eye, and. of course, a Scotch
accent.
Few outside of the Chevy Chase men,
bers know that the successor to Jimmy
Douglas jumped into the HmeIight with
a huge bound last June, by winning the
open championship a. Englewood. the
most coveted golf honor on this side or
the big pond. George Sargent, who was
never heard of before. turned the trick,
and also turned in the neat little score Of
20. Sargent is the man the Chevy Chase
club was fortunate in obtaining to sue
eeed Douglas, and he has been on the JOB
since November J.
Alr Sargent talked entertainingly 20
the writer one day last week, telling OF
his plans for the Improvement Of the
course. reciting interesting anecdotes OF
big matches in England and Scotland, and
Of his hard struggle to become recognized
in the United States.
Course 10 he RemOdeIed.
Under the direction of Mr Sargent and
his partner Mr.. Kilgour. the course at
Chevy Chase will soon be entirely re-
modelled. It's old-fashioned," declares
the professional. "but when we get
through with it I believe Il viii be sec
ond to none in the country"
Sargent has already negotiated the
Chevy Chase course in q. and, with the
exception Of few club members. should
have little difficulty in defeating the
average Washington golfer. allowing as
a handicap one stroke d hole.
The professional was asked TO give
out for publication his early career,
which he reluctantly d:d, as follows;
II was born at BrOckham, Surrey,
England. in 1852, and my parents moved
TO EPSON four years later. I started tod
play golf when six years Old, and at
twelve began an apprenticeship at max
ing clubs under Thomas AlcWatJ club
maker and professional 10 the Epson
country club. I was with Mr.. MeWatt
for SIX years. and then served under
Harry Vardon, for a year at Canton
Ycrks. Vardon was at the height OF his
career at this time.
First Professional job.
Leaving Harry Vardon. ] took out my
first post as full-Aedged professional
with Sir Edgar Vincent, of Esther, Sur
rev with whom ! stayed two years, and
while az Esther I made my first appear
ance I'm an open tournament. competing
In the open championship at Muirfleld,
where I created something Of a
sensation. returning an 81 IN a gale Of
wind, which was the fifth best score
among all the leading golfers IN Britain
for the first round. ! was too young and
10 maintain my position. /
and finished about twentieth at the end
Of . holes ont OF 30 players.
Golf Illustrated. the leading organ on !
The game. Immediately prophesied a bril- !
liant career for me.
After winning the United States open !
this year at Englewood. and
everybody was wondering who Sargent |
Vas. Golf Illustrated suddenly remember /
"a their prophecy Of eight years ago. Sir |
Edgar Vincent had high opinion Of my |
game, and strongly advised me that It |
vas worth while my going on practicing.
is I had a chance Of becoming a cham
1ion some day.
Wins Two Prizes,
From Esther I went TO the Dewsburv I
Solf Club in Yorkshire, where I spenti
our years. I won two prizes in open
tournaments while at Dewsbury. but,
speaking. had no great chance
4 developing my game.
"In 1905 I had the offer of going 70
,anada as professional TO the Ottawa