The sun., 1916-12-31
GOLF GAINED LAP
ON OTHER SPORTS
Ancient Pastime Is Firmly
Rooted in America by Big
1916 Season.
EVANS ACHIEVED FAME

Probably never In the history Of Amer
lean golf was the ancient and honorable
pastime 40 highly successful as in the
reason Of 1915. Not only were wonders
worked upon the links. but almost every
club enjoyed such financial prosperity
the respective members were able to
vote ownership. Almost 80 per cent. OF
the clubs Of the country now " their
own courses. and practically hall OF
these paid for the real estate during tins
past year.
Interest in golf reached q fever heat
never before attained. Club tourna-
nents, district championships and the
nationals found galleries Of great size
In attendance and tho rest OF the golf
ers eagerly awaiting some informadoe
on returns. Newspapers. periodicals. 2
other publications found II Impossible 20
limit the space for golf ~ has ben
custom for 90 many years. 0oif. m tAot
attained such a prominent sporting DO
sition that forever II shall remain .
fixture.
After years Of persistent but fruitiess
sndeavor Charles Evans. Jr., OF Edes-
water. rose to the supreme heights OF
American golf. Not only did the mimi
table Chick acquire possession OF the
coveted amateur title but he also took
unto himself all the laurels OF the open
championship. an achievement credited
to no other amateur player in the his
tory OF this country. In fact. only
other amateur In the history OF golf
gained such distinction, that being John
Ball Of England. who won the Britain
amateur and open In one year. much TO
the CONSERVATION Of the English gol3
world.
Niss stirling COnQuers.
Hardly less brilliant was the years
performances of Miss Alex Stirling. the
Atlanta miss who waged such sterling
golf she gained the leadership among
the women. In playing 10 tho crown IN
the Belmont Spring classic Miss Stirling
NOT only proved that America has a fem
thine golfer worthy OF national fame
but she brought 10 light the certainty
that America IL developing experts At
the game Who soon may outshine this
world. or what is left OF Il after the
warning nations get through.
Particularly emphatic were tho rapid
strides OF Bobby Jones. Perry Adair.
Norman II. Maxwell. Reggie Lewis ana
Philip Carter. Any season which pro-
duccs five such rrodigies must he rated
exceptional. Every one attained prom.
inence IN the game. and each displayed
! such genius Mt the ancient sport that the
veterans are beginning TO wonder how
the titles are TO he kept from them In the
season TO come.
Leading the professionals OF the land
the past season was Lon Jim Barnes.
favorite Of Whitemarsh Valley. winner
Of the Professional Golfers Association
championship and leader In 80 many in
vita,ion Journeys he crowded the others
for space. Barnes had q remarkable
season in that in thlrty-seven round OF
medal play IN tournaments he compiled
an average OF a 'riie more than ~ for
each round. His purses and prize money
will do much to keep any wolf from the
doo- ut least until the snow 10 of the
ground.
Hutchinson OF Allegheny won distino-
ton. Hagen took the Western open and
metropolitan open. besides coming into
the money In every other tournament
in which he took part. Hutchinson wa
a high man in the national open and
professional tourney At Wykagyl.