Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-19
HOLDS GOLFERS INTEREST
WESTERN OPEN TOURNEY
BIG CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
Players Carrying Out Presidential Re-
quest for Continuance OF Athletics,
and AA War Funds with Receipts.

.
CHICAGO. August 1s.-with the
Western amateur golf championship
out of tho way, attention of American
golfers to-day turns to the Western
opon tournament. the only other i'm
portant golf championship OF the year
in the United States. as the United
States Golf Association Cancelled its
leaving Chick Evans TO hold over his
dual title. All the Eastern profess
SIGNALS and several leading amateurs.
according to Tom Mcnamara, OF New
York. former champion. will meet at
the Westmorcland Club. Chicago. on
September IL to IA to contest for the
open title.
When Francis Ouimet. recognized as
an amateur by the Western Golf Asso
citation, captured the amateur title at
Midlothian recently. following the de-
cison of the United States Golf AS
sociation to abandon championship
play. further attention was called to
the open meet planned by the Western
| body for September. This event has
for several years been a national af-
fair. and the title was captured last
year by Walter Hagen, of Rochester,
| at Milwaukee, with Jack Hutchinson,
then OF Pittsburgh. and George Sar-
gent OF Minneapolis, tied for second
place, and James Barnes. of Philadel-
| phia. close behind. The title in 1915
| 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 seventy
| two-hole contest at Glen Oak Club.
| Chicago.
The championship in 1914. played at
Interlacken Club, Minneapolis. was
won by James Barnes, of Philad elpha.
with William Kidd, of st. Louis. as
runner-up. In 1913 John ]. McDermott,
famous Eastern professional. led the
held at Memphis. and in 1912 Mac
Donald Smith. then OF Del Monte. Cal.
topped the scores at 1dlcwild Club,
| Chicago.
The Western open title has not been
won by Western Golf Association
| Hutchinson. since it was made a
medal play affair Ave years ago. and
| in all the tournaments there has been
a larger representation of Eastern par
golfer than of Western players of a
| similar rating.
amateur players entered. however. as
there have been in the national open
meets. although Charles 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 twenty years old.
made low medal OF seventy-one, and
defeated George Simpson. Chicago pro-
fessional. in the final round. and 5.
Evans competed at Glen Oak two years
ago. but was off his game. and did not
make Il showing.
While the event has been more
strictly professional championship
than the national open meet. 1t 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
Westmoreland tournament, unless un-
forcseen contingencies prevented. He
is reported to be among the first ones
drawn in tho selective draft lottery
and this may prevent his participation
Evans, carly in the season, decided
to devote his golfng activities this
year to playing for the benefit OF the
Red Cross and similar war orgapiza-
tons. 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 Mid
lothian, said:
All the best Eastern professionals
and, believe, n 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 staging
tournaments. feeling, as President
Thompson, of that body, said. that golf
keeps men perpetually and pleasantly
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 the coun
course, cash prizes are to be awarded
at the omen chamDiOn shin hut likely