New-York tribune., 1921-07-26
One of Largest Fields in
History of Metropolitan
Title Tourney to Tee OFF
By Ray Mccarthy

ObS VI tuS laIRcSL UelQb HS FWcll AS
one of the best that ever competed
for the metropolitan open golf cham
pionship will tee off to-day on the
beautiful Siwanoy County Club course
in a test of u holes. The first round
of eighteen holes will be played to-day.
Another journey of eighteen holes will
be held tomorrow and on Thursday
the final two rounds will be played in
the morning and afternoon.
With Jim Barnes, the United States
open champion; Walter Hagen, present
holder Of the metropolitan title; Tom
Kerrigan, the Siwancy club pro; Joe
Kirkwood, the Australian star; the
O'Hara brothers, Peter and Pat; Gene
Sarazen, Tom Boyd, Johnny Farrell,
Louis Teller, Cyril Walker, Oswald
Kirkby and host Of other good ones
entered, the meeting promises to rival
the national open tournament.
There will be eight prizes, ranging
from $3.50 down to $25, and in addition
there will be prizes of $40 each for
the best score on. each of the first two
rounds. Also for the best score of
the first thirty-six holes and for, the
best score in the last two rounds.
Big Gallery Expected
Ernest Anderson, of the Lawrence
Park GOLF Club, and M. Ford, Of the
Mosholu Country Club, will be the first
pair to tee off. They will start at
O'Clock. Barnes and Kerrigan will get
away at 9:35 and this, of course, will
be the match the morning gallery Will
trail -,
Walter Hagen and Cyril Walker will
drive off at 1850 and will be followed
Immediately after by Jack Burke, the
St. Paul star, and Louis Teller. Two
other good ones who will start late
will be George Mclean, the Grassy
Sprain professional, and young Peter
Harmon, crack amateur of the Scot
tish h-American club. They will start at
1880. Oswald Kirkby will play round
with Peter O'Hara, starting at 1o:25.
The metropolitan tournament mas
grown so popular it Is now only second
in Importance here in the East to the
national event. For the past few years
it has attracted a wonderful held OF
stars, as is shown by the list Tor TINS
| years meeting. But the prizes are
bv no means in keeping with the I'M
nortance of the tournament. 1t is true
/ that the professionals as we'll as the
amateurs compete for the prestige they
may get in winning the title than
for the monetary value Of the prizes.
But those prizes should at least pc
worth more than expense money to the
winners. With the exception of the
first prize the others are very small
indeed and would hardly pay the rail-
road fare of a contestant such as Jack
Burke. for instance, hailing from st.
Paul.
| CbonId Tncreasa PureA
It seems to us that the time has ar
rived when the first prize in tho metro
.politan championship should pay at
least $780, The association could
easily collect purse large enough to
distribute eight prizes from this
amount down to $75 or $50. while the
special prizes would be worth $50 at
least.
The United States open champion
ship money values should also be
raised. First prize now pays $500. A
purse of $1,000 would be more suitable.
OF course, if anybody suggests that
we attempt to raise the money we'll
hedge Immediately. We don't know
what 81 900 looks like, but surely there
must be that much money somewhere
in this little old world.
The members of the Pelham Country
Club will gather in force tonight to
pay homage to the new champion and
their professional, Jim Barnes. A din
ner at 8 o'clock will open the cere-
monies and will be followed by speeches
and merry making. Invitations have
have been sent to more than 800.