The sun., 1919-09-21


take stock OF the various performances
by the different amateur golfers in the
country in order to rank them as be-
fits their play. In bygone days it has
not been an altogether difficult task TO
name the best sixteen players and put
them in order with a minimum OF
adverse criticism. But IL is a far diff
ferent matter these days, indicating that
the game has been levelled up and down
to groups of golfers with few standing
out as admittedly superior
In fact this evenness was apparent
three years ago in our ranking. so much
so that we prepared lists OF four groups,
arranged them in alphabetical order,
and let the golfer put them in his own
system Of arrangement as regards merit
This manner Of treating the subject
appeals to us again, and therefore we
will state the list OF names Of the best
golfers in groups one, two, three and
four. In the order of excellence, nam
ing each group in alpha abetical arrange.
ment. 1t seems to us that it is abso-
lutely impossible to select any one, two.
or three golfers this season. for the
reasons which will be given later
In making selections there are many
factors worth recording. The most
credit should go to the qualifying and
championship. Then come the sectional
championships, the team matches, the
open Journeys. club play and the like,
with the quality OF the entrants as the
basis OF each comparative Judgment
With the records in hand, then attention
to the scoring made in matches. the kind
Of opposition. the nerve and resource
fulness and a number OF other minor
matters Of which the golfer himself Is
aware but which the spectator often
misses.
Past records are indeed bugaboo
II Is almost impossible for any one to
make selections and not take into con-
sideration the records in former years
1t is proper to do this as n guide to
the years play of that particular golfer
But unless one is very careful II will act
as a distinct influence not always look
ing toward correctness. With these ex-
planatory words, therefore, let US get to
the names.
Here Are the Lenders.
Charles Evans, Davidson Heron, Rob-
ert Jones and Francis Ouimet are our
out and out choice for the first four
places in American amateur golf this
year. 1t is quite out of the question
to place them in listed order. To our
way of thinking the Southern chap,
Bobby Jones, has record back of him
which is not equaled by any of the
others with runner-up positions in the
Canadian open. the Southern open and
the amateur championship. Playing 144
holes of golf in two championships he
was led but single stroke by fourfold
professional champion. James Barnes.
1t Is altogether possible that Evans
OuiTnaf miRhf hava annallad ha acoras
made by Jones. But We do not believe
that either would have surpassed his
record. Nevertheless we would scarcely
put him ahead of the amateur champion,
Dave Heron, since at match play Jones
was handily defeated both by Nelson
whitney and Heron. He seems TO be
at his best in medal play, which is an
other indication that his so-called hasty
temper Is father puch of legacy of
performances of past years.
1t Is impossible to play eight rounds
in championships and not encounter bad
luck which with consequent losing Of
ones temper would mean the loss OF
additional strokes. Heron performed
In few Journeys this season other than
the national, but in that one he scored
lower than any one else over a stretch
or ten days and played better and
stoadier golf than any other golfer at
Pittsburg. Few perhaps would care TO
say that he deserved place number one
ever the three other great players. But
he does receive place in the first group
OF the countrys best. which is a great
honor when the records of those players
'are remembered.
Partisanship alone will decide between
Evans and Ouimet. and 1t is Just az
well II we group them and let the
future give better answer II there
Is any slight advantage II could well
go to ouimet, whose record throughout
the season has been most formidable in
the way OF victories His own triumph