The sun., 1919-10-26
Mitchell Leads British
Professional Golfers
Former Artisans Play This Season Entities Him to
Crown-Duncan Closest Rival-Lost
Two Important Matches.

licity at the time prevented his making
the trip. The publishing of the fact that
II he did his entry would be refused
caused the chauffeur golfer In the fall of
1913, few weeks after the American
amateur championship, to turn profess
sional.
Tired or 1t All.
He wastired, he said, Of combating
the rumors and inuendoes and preferred
to get on one side of the fence and stay
there. His entrance into the profess
sional field was followed by no great
series Of victories. although he did cause
columns to be written about the length
OF his drives, which surpassed those of
most of the noted professionals. In for
mer years no amateur had broken into
the professional field with a great
amount of success. 1t was not to be
expected that a chap who could not win
the amateur title would hold a consistent
place In the forefront of British golf.
Then came the war, and with it lack
OF competition which wrought havoc with
the game of many of the old time pros
such as Vardon, Braid and TAYLOR.
had long chat with Mitchell in Lon
don in November. 1915, and he told me
that his one ambition then was a series
of matches in the States. His brother
was in the service and a trip which he
had planned to take In the Southern
championships he that day was giving
up because he wished to enlist. A short
time later he enrolled in the service,
where he remained until the signing of
the peace armistic.
Won at st. Andrews.
Mitchell's career this year has been
one OF almost continual successes, The
NH ka
round of the News of the World tourna-
ment, corresponding to the p. G. A.
match play championship recently played
at the Engineers Course. His oppo-
nent was his seasons closest rival,
George Duncan. MitchelPs earlier wins
had been in the Victory open cham
pionship at st. Andrews, when he won
the play Off after tie with Duncan.
In the match play championship
Mitchell had many narrow squeaks. III
luck would have meant the rise to the
top of Duncan instead Of the latter be-
ing given second place. In the first
round ]. B. Bailey carried Mitchell to
the seventeenth hole. In the next round
newcomer to title play golf. Bert Sey-
mour, lost the last hole through indif-
ferent putting. Then Charley Johns, ca
pable Of many a brilliant round, lost at
next to last hole while Rowland Jones,
grand player, took Mitchell to the
twentieth hole before succumbing.
The semi-fnal was easier. Robson not
being on his game. In the final round
with Duncan II was a case of the chan
who ran down a couple OF long puts,
with Mitchell the hero. To-day he
stands as the best of them all and, ac-
cording to Mr. Hilton. has so far i'm
proved especially in his shots up to the
hole, that he should be better next year.
1t shows, says Hilton. what profess
sional experience is worth. II Mitchell
had remained an amateur he never
would be the golfer that he is to-day.
That he has arrived at the zenith of his
powers cannot believe. and In the COM
ing year he probably will be a finer
golfer than ever, for one may take this
year as being his first serious season in
professional golf. OF Mitchell James
Braid, speaking for tho big triumvirate,
4 few weeks ago said:
Praise From Braid.
He is a grand golfer. n fine driver
and plays his iron shots up TO the hole
like man. But he is not yet capable
enough with the short mashie shot or
with the chip and run shot to be ac-
corded place in the very first rank.
No golfer can be real champion until
lie Is master OF these shots, and unit
that time comes with Mitchell we must
delay heartiest congratulations on the
arrival of great player"
This was a year of upsets with new
arrivals of greatness on both sides of
the Atlantic. None attained such heights
Of greatness as the former artisan anna
teur golfer, whose pocketbook at last has
been lined with much gold, something
like $4,000 this last eight months,