Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-20

n Whether the national open
championship of the United
States Golf Association remains here
or goes to England rests entirely with
the play of Francis Ouimet, an
American youth, a STRIPPING, scarce
ly out Of his teens.
Ouimet, an amateur. is battling to-
day England's cracks, Harry Vardon
and Edward Ray, veteran profession
ais. II was Ouimet's brilliant golf
in the final round Of the tournament
yesterday that won him a tie with
the British experts and gave him the
right to contest for the title to-day.
Play began at 8 o'clock this morn
ing, an eighteen-hole three-ball
medal round deciding the winner
No matter, who the victor will be,
Ouimet is the hero Of the tourney.
He carved a niche for himself in in
ternational sporting history by his
feat yesterday.
Ouimet and his British rivals turn
ed in a card of SO4 for 70 holes con-
tested during the past two days.
Ouimet's performance lifted the
nineteenth annual open tournament
Of the United States Golf Association
out Of the usual classification &C
corded a national championship and
brought the contest to a standard lit
tie short Of other International cOmpe
titions
OF the half dozen home bred and
transplanted professionals, not one
could keep pace with Ray and Var
don, and all hope Of retaining the I'll
tie honors appeared lost until Ouimet
was found making his lone stand
amid rain and mud against the two
older players.
Scene Never EquaIled.
When the spectators realized that
in this home bred amateur, born and
brought up on the edge of the Coun-
try Club course, rested Americas
chance of winning the championship,
they lost that placid attitude and
whisper that ordinary marks the golf
gallery and rooted and cheered Out
met in a manner typical at baseball
and football games.
The scenes that attended Ouimet's
march over the last four holes never
have been equalled on an American
or European golf course.
Enthusiasm ran the gamut from
despair to elation; silence was fol-
lowed by great outbursts Of cheer
ing. When Ouimet's second shot
from the eighteenth tee landed dead
on the edge of the home green. 5000
spectators massed themselves in a
gigantic ring Of breathless humanity
about Ouimet and his playing part
ner, George Sargent.
The American youth needed the
hole in one to win and two to tie.
He gazed long down into the bowl
where the cup lay. dried his hands
and made a 35-foot putt that just
missed the hole and rolled feet be-
yond.
A sigh arose from the crowd and
an was still again. Quimet looked
once at that little stretch OF sodden
turf that lay between him and an
other chance for the title-gently
tapped the ball and stepped back to
watch its progress.
Slowly 1t rolled to the edge Of the
hole, curled around the lip for an inch
or so and then dropped in for the
four. which tied him with Ray and
Vardon.
Ovation for Youth.
Instantly a tremendous yell Went
up. The gallery swept past ropes and
GUARDS anu tlOStu III oii NH'AItNN -
solid phalanx. He was lifted to the
shoulders Of the advance guard and
carried toward the clubhouse sur
rounded by several thousand cheer
ing. zvelling golfers, who forgot their
golf in the enthusiasm Of being just
Americans cheering an American vic
tory.
MANY, not realizing that Ouimet
was an amateur, thrust bills OF large
denominations at him, only to be met
with a smile and a shake Of the head.
which took the sting out of the re-
fusal made necessary by their mis-
take.
Ouimets great battle against the
prowess of the two Englishment who
already were tied with 304 before ne
had half finished his final round, was
all the more praiseworthy because Of
the frightful weather conditions I'M
der which he was obliged TO play.
II was raining heavily before the
forenoon round was started. and con-
tinued with but few let-ups all day.
The fairways and green's were water
soaked and the rain beat down upon
PLAYERS and spectators alike.
Britons Praise Ouimet.
Vardon said: He certainly played
a great game and stood up under the
strain like the man he is. He Is a
credit to American golf"
1T was a beautiful finish said
Ray, "and he deserves all the cheers