The New York herald., 1921-01-02
Rays victory "A shock.

Man for man we have every reason to
believe that players such as Hagen,
Barnes and Hutchison are as good as
Britain can produce, and therefore about
as good as they come, but he would be
bold partisan indeed who after the les
son Of the British and American open
championships, would declare that Amer
lean professional golf sets the pace for
the world. To practically all who fol-
low the game last years British open
was an eye opener and the American
open nothing short of a shock.
Abroad Barnes finished fifth, but on
the other hand Hagen got nowhere. At
home Ray was first and Vardon in tie
for second At so years of age the six
times winner of the British title still
was as good as the best In this country
indeed up to within the last few holes
he was a good deal better, for let 1t not
be forgotten that only for the lack of
stamina due to his years Vardon would
have finished with five strokes or so to
spare.
Last year brought a salutary lesson
home. Let us hope Its value has not
been lost. Britain still remains a great
Golfng country. and while at present
tho lustre of amateur golf over there
appears to be dimmed. indications are
that In the professional field at least
she can show the highest quality of
r,ay. Instead of being has beens"
Vardon demonstrated that the Trium-
virate, consisting of himself. James
Braid and J. III. Taylor are liable to be
dangerous for the younger stars for sew
eral years to come. Herd. by finishing
close second In the British champion
ship, made his own reply. and as for
Duncan, Ray and Mitchell. they give
-
the mantle of greatness as inch by inch
it slips from the shoulders Of vardon,
Taylor and Braid and of forming a new
combination that will ably uphold British
prestige for some little time to come
A Remarkable Combination.
Duncan. Ray. Mitchell, vardon. Taylor.
Braid. Herd--there is a most remarkable
combination even yet 1t is team Of stall
warts meeting with which well might
carry strong appeal to young and virile
american professionals. who have every
thing to gain and little to lose as yet.
What with Walter Hagen, Tom Kerrf-
gan, Leo Diegel, M. j. Brady. Eddie
Loos. Jack Burke, George Mclean Tom
MCNAMARA. George Bowden. Emmet
French. Willie Mehorn. Frank McNa-
mara and Charles Hoffner TO mention
only those in the preliminary selection of
the Il. q. A., America has a squadron OF
homebrcds from which highly capable
eide can be selected. Throw in one or
two OF the foreign born, such as Jack
Hutchison. Jim Barnes Harry Hampton
end Clarence Hackney. and IL looks even
more formidable still.
AT home Hagen and Barnes moro than
held their own with vardon and Ray In
the series Of matches played during the
tour OF the British pair last season, and
abroad they conquered Mitchell and
Duncan. George Mclean defeated Ray.
the champion. and 3, In a round OF the
hard Lido links; "a large metropolitan
gallery saw Tom Mcnamara and Jack
Dowling treat the Englshmen TO n hol-
low defeat at Scarsdale and Tom Ker-
rigen In company with J. Douglas Edgar
ri Greenwich also made them bite the
Dust.
Man TO man. IL has been shown the
American pro Is second to none His
match play ability he has proved IN TO
the hilt. All that he seems TO lack is a
better grip on himself when confronted
with that individualism Of champion
ship play. Experience being the great
teacher, II is to be hoped, for the good
of the game in this country, that all
who are asked TO undertake the trim
abroad will respond with alacrity and
enthusiasm. Then we will know for
certain where stands America in golf.
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