Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-08-12
BIG GOLF NEE
ATTRACTING MUCH
ATTENT|ON NOW


ern Amateur Golf championship out of
the way, attention of American golfers
today turns to the western open tourna
ment. the only other important golf
Of the year in the United
States. as the United States Golf as
ISOLATION cancelled its tournaments on
account of the war. leaving Chick Ev-
ans to hold over his dual title. All
the eastern professionals and several
leading amateurs, according to Tom
of New York, former cham
pion. will meet at the Westmoreland
club, Chicago, on Sept. u to IA to con-
test for the open title.
When Francis Ouimet, recognized as
an amateur by the Western Golf as
ISOLATION. captured the amateur title at
Midlothia recently following the de-
cision of L. S. G. A. to abandon cham
pionship play, further attention was
called to the open meet planned by
the western body for September. This
event has for several years been a ma
tional affair, and the title was cap
tured last year by Walter Hagen OF
Rochester at Milwaukee, with jack
Hutchinson then of Pittsburg and
George Sargent of Minneapolis tied
for second place and James Barnes
of Philadelphia colse behind. The
title in 1915 was carried off by Tom
Mcnamara. then of Boston, with Alex
Cunningham of Wheeling, w. Va, in
second place and Sargent, Hagen and
NJ. J. Brady of Boston, next in order
after the 70 hole contest at Glen Oak
club, Chicago.
The championship in 1914, played
at Interlacken club Minneapolis, was
won by James Barnes of Philadelphia,
with William Kidd of st. Louis as
runner-up. In 1913, John j. McDer-
mott, famous eastern professional led
the field at Memphis, and in 1912,
Macdonald Smith, then at Del Monte,
Cal, topped the scores at Idlewild
club, Chicago.
The western open title has not
been won by a western Golf associa-
ton territory player, except Smith
and Hutchinson, since it was made a
medal play affair five years ago, and
in all the tournaments there has been
a larger representation of eastern
par golfers than of western of sim
liar rating.
There have not been as many
scratch amateur players entered
however, as there have been in the
National Open meets, although Charl-
es Evans, Jr., National Amateur and
Open champion, won the event in
1910 at Beverly club. Chicago, when
the play was at match The premier
amateur of America, then only 20
years old, made low medal of II and
defeated George Simpson, Chicago
professional, in the final round 6 and
Is. Evans competed at Glen Oak two
years ago, but was off his game and
did not make showing.
While the event has been more
strictly a professional championship
than the National Open meet, it is
likely that Ouimet will compete this
year. The Boston amateur, who won
the National Open title by defeating
Harry Vardon and Edward Ray in
1918, said he intended to play in the
coming Westermoreland tournament
unless unforeseen contingents prevent
ed. He is reported to be among the
first ones drawn in the selective draf!
lottery, and this may prevent his
participation.
Evans, early in the season, decided
to devote his golfing activities this
year to playing for the benefit of the
Red Cross and similar war organiza-
tions, but he may yet decide to enter.
Robert Gardner, twice National Anna
teur champion, has enlisted for war
service and will not compete. Tom
Mcnamara, as spokesman for many
eastern professionals, while attending
the amateur championship play at
Midlothian said:
"All the best eastern professionals
and, l believe, a goodly number of
amateurs, will be at Westmoreland
for the open tournament. Golfers in
the east are pleased with the stand of
the Western Golf association in stalk
irg tournaments, feeling as President
Thompson of that body said, that golf
keeps men perpetually and pleasant
|, prepared" In addition, as entry
fees and ordinary cost of cups are
given to the Red Cross, the players
feel that they are doing their bit for