The sun., 1919-10-26
BY JOHN G. ANDERSON,

There is some doubt in the minds of
many linksmen as to the years honors
among the professional golfers Of
America Lists compiled by thoughtful
writer's and students of the game vary
greatly. agreeing that Barnes and
Hagen occupy the two first places but
differing as to the first or second. In
Great Britain, however, there is not the
shadow of doubt as to the finest per-
former of the year. Abe Mitchell, who
few years ago was beaten by John
Ball in the British amateur champion
ship after one Of the fiercest competi-
tons ever waged on a golf links is the
preeminent golfer OF the year. Perhaps
brief history of his career may inter
est the golfers of this side who may
have the opportunity of seeing him
next season.
Some may wonder why we spoke Of
the final match with John Ball as n
| fierce" competition. The adjective has
little in common with golf but the rea-
son lies in the following facts. Mitchell
was what is known as an ARTISAN"
golfer. a chap who worked at certain
hours per day at trade. In his case
who took an interest in the golfng skill
Abe displayed. In accordance with the
so called class distinction of various
golfng clubs he was not a welcome fig
ure In the open Journeys Some went SO
Tar as to say that artisan golfers as
whole should not be welcomed in the
amateur championship, believing that
many clubmakers, excluded by our
American rule but not by British anna
fnN ,-ttlA
teurs, should be barred from competi-
ton.
In his local games Mitchell showed
such promise and made such low scores
In the local amateur events around 1908
and 1903 that he could not be neglected
by the committee which selected the
amateur team which was to represent
England against Scotland on the day
previous to the match play rounds OF
the amateur. He was chosen, therefore,
in the years 1910, 1911 and 1912 to
represent his home country. Abe was
born in East Grinstead in 1887.
His Amateur Successes.
Mitchell was successful in his first
two attempts, winning from Guy Camp
bell. crack Scottish golfer. by and 8
and from number two position by and
4 from John Graham, the noted Scottish
golfer whose style has been considered
the finest shown in twenty years. In
1912, teamed with John Ball with the
match at foursome. he was on the los
ing side, Robert Harris and Norman
Hunter winning and 2. In the anna
teur championship Mitchell was
semifinalist in 1910. reached the sixth
round in 1911 and then became a final-
list in 1912.
What a crowd there was, mainly arti-
sans, on that last day at Westward Ho
What a triumph was expected for the
gofng class who could only play after
o'clock at night. Perhaps Mitchell
might need their aid on the links, and
IL so they would be there to give It.
Such was the thought in the minds OF
many of the onlookers. 1t later dis
played itself In certain favorable shouts
OF applause when their" man won a
hole or made brilliant shot.
John Ball just plodded along, down
most of the way, squarlng the match to-
ward the end of the thlrty-six hole route
with one Of the greatest recovery shots
on record. Being outdriven fifty yards
did not seem to cause the Hoylake cham
pion a trifie OF annoyance, and when he
won with perfect 4 on the thfrty-eighth
hole he deserved all the glory which was
accorded him.
Mitchell had designs on the American
amateur championship and the year 1913
might have seen him at Garden City
except for the fact rumors that he mig't
turn professional had been spread We
doubt IL his entry would have been ac-
cepted by the Y. s. G. A., unless there
had been a written guarantee that he
was not planning that move. The pub