New-York tribune., 1921-03-06
Deiggel Rated
First Among
Young Golfers
Oldtimers at Cabfest Call
Him Best of 'sPros'';
Many Talented Amateurs
By Ray Mccarthy

Several of the star professional golfers
who competed in the tournament Of
the st. Augustine links, just completed
here, were holding fan-fest in the
lobby of the Alcazar the other night
when the question OF the future out
look regarding the quality of profes-
sioral play was broached. The writer
opined that there were several young
pros who were coming along at rapid
rate.
Yes, a few said Freddy Mcleod,
the Columbia Country Club veteran,
with the emphasis On the word few,
but, as a matter of fact. I think the
outlook is somewhat dubious The
trouble is cur young professionals don t
get the opportunity TO play enough.
That is the reason the young amateur
stars are greater in number than the
professional youngsters"
the group, including Jim Barnes, Mike
Brady, George Fotheringham, George
Mclean, Tom Kerrigan and Pat O'Hara
wore of the same opinion.
Dcigel the Best Prospect
They agreed that Leo Deigel was the
best of the lot of young ones appearing
OF St. Paul, who finished in a tie for
second place in the national open
championship last summer, was a
conner and would undoubtedly go on to
further glory; that Charlie Hoffner, of
the Philmont Country Club, Philadel-
phia; Eddie Loos, of the Ravisloe
Club, Chicago; Johnny Farrell, of
Quaker Ridge, in the metropolitan dis
trict; Gene Sarazen, of the Fort
Wayne, Ind, club, and Harold Lofer,
of Pittsburgh, were all good possibili-
ties as championship contenders.
But they also were agreed upon the
as to professional performers and
probably would continue to hold it for
some time to come.
jim Barnes, Mike Brady and the
other above named pros are, golfingly-
speaking, veterans. They have been
up there for some time and have about
reached the peak Of their game. 1t is
to the youngsters the United States
must look to defend the invasion OF
such phenoms as Ted Ray, Abe Nit
chell, George Duncan and other foreign
stars, who, in all Likelihood, will make
an annual pilgrimage to this country
in quest of our titles from now or.
We know of the prowess and ability
of the rank and file of profession s
who have been contending for the
various championships in this country
for the past seven years or more. 1t
! is about the youngsters the United
States golting fraternity is mostly con-
cerned just at present.
Leo Deigel. the fashy Detroit lad
has amply demonstrated his ability
He can be counted on to hold his own
with the best England sends over
But he will need help. Of course he
will have plenty of it SO long as Barnes
Hagen, Brady, Mcleod and the others
retain their skill.
Five Look Like Champions
And just at present there are only
about five others this side of the Mis-
sissippi of championship caliber. Jack
Burke is going to be heard from more
( than ever this season, unless the signs
are wrong. Charlie Hoffner, Johnny
Farrell and Gene Sarazen, as men
toned, are coming rapidly. But there
one must stop.
There may be other young pros in
the offing who viii appear this year
or next to augment the handful of
youngsters now numbered among the
luminaries. But they are still hidden
from view.
However, in contrast to the profess
sional aspect of this matter, the out
look regarding the amateurs has a
very rosy tint. 1t is generally adj
mitted in England, as we'll as in this
country, that our amateurs have q very
decided edge on our British cousins,
not only concerning the stars already
shining but also those just beginning
to glimmer.
Charles Chick" Evans, Francis oui,
met, Bobby Jones, Bob Gardner and
young, need no introduction to the
golf public. They are cover and can
Sc counted for some time to come.
Within the last couple of years at
least dozen other young amatc urs
have stepped out DOT only to vie with
them for the various golf prizes in this
country, but to help them repel any or
all invasions from the other side. One
might go so far as to say that even
without that sterling quartet named
above, these youngsters alone could
hold their own with the best Of the
foreigners.
Heron With Top-notchers
First, there is S. Davidson Heron,
of the Oakmont Club, Pittsburgh. He
is now ranked with the top-notcht RS.
out III EOii experience ne - Stlli Il
mare infant. SO are J. Woodie Piatt
and George Hoffner, Philadelphia 8
crack pair Platt has only been play
ing the game about three years and
yet he is now real wizard. Not only
does he possess the physical proUess,
but he has an ideal golf temperament.
Cool and nervy to a fault, he is as
game as they come and is bound to
make big noise in the golf world. He
has qualified in two national cham
pionships within the last two years
and in each case he took on and de-
tcated the leading contender for the
title In 1919 it was Francis Oulmet.
who encountered and succunl bed to the
ability of this square jawed lad, and
last year he put Dave Heron out Of
the running.
in the National tournament Nobody,
outside of the Southern section, had
ever heard of young Richard Hickey
until he appeared in the National
tournament at Roslyn, L. l.. last Sep
tember. Hickey was eliminated in this
meet by Ouimet the peerless, but Che
Bostonian had to play at top speed to
turn the trick.
Harmon Being GroOmed
The metropolitan district is groom
ing Peter Harmon of the Quaker Ridge
club; Jess Sweetser, the Siwanoy star,
and Lucian Walker, Of Richmond
County. for the coming pionshlps.
Z