Evening star., 1922-08-20

The youngsters in this country who
were toting bags a fGw years ago
and now are trimming the old guard
are American boys. although they
bear names such as SaraZen, Farrell,
Ciuci, Loeffler and others held to be
somewhat alien to the Scottish deri-
Nation of the game. These Amer
lean lads now see a vista OF COM
parative wealth opened to them
through golf, which q few years ago
was practically confined to the Scot
tish and British imported players,
who dominated the game until Jack
McDermott hove into view back in
eisn golfers. Ted Ray is the only
man not an American to capture the
open title since 1911, the year of Nc
DermottS first victory.
t0:: Finds Old Guard Slipping.
Although the youngsters in profess
sional golf have threatened for the
past two years to undermine the old
the final touch of indigo on the hopes
of the old triumvlrate. 1t began last
winter when young Gene Sarazen an.
nexed the southern open title. and
was followed by the Columbia open
when young John Farrell led the
field with glorious SO in the hrst
round and continued to lead until
overtaken by Jock Hutehison. who
never played better golf during his
last two rounds.
The greatest triumph of the kid.
professionals came at Skokie. where
little Sarazen. the living picture Of
Walter Hagen. kid wonder of ten
years ago. broke through and won
the national open. Lots OF folks de-
clared Genes win OF the open was
somewhat in the nature of nuke.
They said the kid was simply at the
top of his game for the three days
necessary and that he probably would
not show a thing later in the season.
Failed to Consider Record.
They didn't glance over the lads
record in the south during the winter.
No doubt they were somewhat shocK-
ed when he continued his fne game
in exhibition matches around view
York and must have tottered when
the youngster gave Jock Hutchinson
a fine Scotch trimming at Oakmont
last Wednesday. preceded two days
previously by the victory of Johnny
Farrell over Jim Barnes.
Then little Gene last Friday. playing
against one of the steadiest golfers IN
the country. defeated Emmett FRENCH
of Youngstown. Ohio to annex the title
of champion of the Professional Golfers
Association. From comparatively un-
known young golfer Sarazen has sprung
within month into one OF the foremost
world figures in sport. Sarazen's victo-
ries in the P. G. A. championship were
not fluke victories By any means. They
were all achieved by the soundest kind
of golf, against the leading players Of
the world. bulwark that Is only sur
mounted by supreme. skill and unbound
ed confidence.
He is not through by any means. 1t
Is the opinion of the game that close
Is the opinion Of great many close
Gene will go to even greater things
In golf
Both Youngsters Brilliant.
Johnny Farrell and Gene Sarazen
are the two outstanding younger pro-
fessionals of the year and 1t hardly
would be fair to say that one is
greater player than the other. Far
rell plays in perfect style. somewhat
resembling that of Harry Vardon.
and one OF his greatest assets is his
tries the impossible unless the i'm
possible Is absolutely needed. He
plays we'll within himself at all times
and has ample reserve strength to
come through in the pinch. Sarazen
is very much like Farrell. perhaps
so brilliant with the iron clubs.
Walter Hagen's victory in the Brit
ish open will mean approximately
100000 this year for him: Paired
with Joe Kirkwood, the Australian Ian
golfer. the British champ is tour
ing the country and will reap III
great gobs Of coin OF the realm. He
will far eclipse the earnings Of our
open champion. beyond doubt; but
at the same time Genes title should
be. and probably will be. worth in
the neighborhood Of se5,o8o this year
to him.
S4O0 n Day for This Pair.
Golf these days is highly conif1er-
cializcd game and the champions very
seldom agree to play except for much
monty. Kirkwood and Hagen have
a fat figure of s4De a day for their
exhibition matches. but. OF course.
Kirkwood's trick shot exhibition
comes in this amount.
We wonder what George Sargent
end Alex Smith, the old-time chain :
pions. must think of as they cohten-
plate the money laid away these day
by the titleholders. Sargent ana
Smith came decade too early. Con
template Willie Anderson, foar times
winner of the open Back in the days
before golf had attained the popu-
]arity it now enjoys. When Ander-
son died a few years back, he left
practically nothing. Had he lived
today he would be we'll on the high
road TO wealth.