Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-20

n UTUMN leaves are falling on the
IA present golf season, and the setting
In a happy one for thoughts of the sea-
son to come.
After two championship lay offs dur
ing the war, the 1919 card was one OF
the most Joyous under Which the links
ever basked. But it was little bit OF
the coming down to earth again ana
next year promises to be frantic one
OF the new era.
PHILADELPHIA, It would seem, is as
sured of the choice for the open cham
pionship Of America;
1t is the Quaker City's turn for this
classic, which has not been staged here
for ten years, and only twice in the
twenty five years that span its existence
in this country. The only thing to be
done is for one of the local clubs to
out any doubt the open will be awarded
to Philadelphia for the season of 1920.
When the choice of Brae Burn was
made at the u. S. G.. A. meeting at the
close of the 1916 campaign, for the next
annual open, which the war STAYED OF
till this season, Whitemarsh Valley
Country Club made vigorous bid for
the event, in spite Of the fact that it
was a certainty that the amateur and
the women's national would both go to
the state of Pennsylvania. AT that, the
bid nearly went through but was drop
ped in favor Of Boston. :,
1t is reported unofficially that the
beautiful valley club will come back
this year, in which case it is certain
Chestnut Hill is always in splendid con =
dition, has all the features of cham
pionship course, leaving nothing much
TO be desired.
Jim to the Fore
In case the championship is awarded to
that club, and pro is written to wiz
it, then it is not too presumptuous tc
predict that Long Jim Barnes, former
pro here, will come close to his hearts
desire: in short, that he is liable to bt
the new open king.
Barnes won the professional cham
pionship this year, has featured in al
his starts, packing away great wac
Of shamrock for his seasons work ant
is on par with Walter Hagen, presen
open titleholder, as one of the premie
playing pros of the country.
They persistently claim that Hagel
is going to retire from professional play
ing, and this is born out in measur
when it Is remembered that they ar
. trying to get Baron Mike Brady to fiji
the peerless Walters shoes at Oaklan,
Hills. This will level the path for Jin
Barnes bit, especially as Hagen is tn
only pro who has won the open sine
1912, Francis Ouimet being as is.
Vardon Debate
This brings into play all the variou
jack rabbit rumors and repartee con
cernlng the possible appearance Of Harr
Vardon, who won his first British ope
championship twenty three years ag
and his sixth the year of the German in
vasion of Belgium, and that he will tr,
again to lift the American open in 1920
If he does it will make twenty year
since he did win it at Chicago and seve
since he helped make history for Franci
Ouimet at Brookline.
There has been a deal Of conversatio
about Vardon's possible coming with a
all-s star British pro quartet to back hill
up, but this has taken a slump since hi
failure tits said, to qualify this yea
in the classic News Of the World tourne
over there.
His failure cast its gloom from th
British Isles even to this country, wher
he is held as the star superior of tn
links.
They are asking IT, this season mark
the passing of the idol of golf on bot
sides Of the water.
The consensus of opinion here is ths
it would be "shame" for Vardon
come here and risk q downfall at IL
hands of golfer perhaps unknown owe
there"
1t happened in 1913, but
A certain st. Andrews bred pro We
vehement on this point with us the othc
day; -, :,
when vardon fails to qualify, e
DONE" exclaimed this person, "No mo
can last forever. Ye Gamma expect ii
to. 'Twoul6 be a pity for i'm to com
ere an verra likely be beaten by
body not fit to carry Us clubs when
was In 'is prime"
In any event, Vardon holds a hig
seat In favor here, and if it's true ths
he's done" nobody particularly enjoy
the spectacle of a mighty champion {
other days, now the shell of his gloriou
game, feebly battling In vain agains
the unknown for the place that wa
once his by right of conquest.
They whisper darkly Of the amater
going to Washington, u. c., for tn
coming season. The club is named ais,
h,k h. I. h.,