Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-23
HAGEN PANNEDBY
WESTERN GOLFERS
Failure to Defend Title in
p. G. A. and Western
Brings Criticism
THE HIGH COST OF GOLF

TNHAT Walter Hagen rates as one OF
L the greatest golfers in the world is
not matter for dispute. 1t is con-
ceded and bonny Walter. with his sun
burned visage and sartorial elegance. is
one of the best-liked champions that
ever trod the LINKS.
But his popularity has not averted
the barbs of criticism that have been
fred at him for the failure to defend
his title in the Professional Golfers
Association championship tilt at Oak
mont last week. or his neglect to enter
the Western Open--which crown also ne
won in 1921.
The Western sedgement Of Nolstead-
land Is more deeply exercized thGh
the Eastern. which is logical enough
since Mister Hagen bears the brand ot
the Occident on his noble brow. he
won his first fame at the Oakland Hills
Country Club, where the open tilt VIII
be held, and the members there declare
that Hagen Is deserting his colors In
not competing.
Golfland. too. has always felt that n
champion, in the spirit OF noblesse
oblige. could not fail to defend n
championship. They hold that even
among the professionals the amateur
ideal Is more prevalent than in any
other sport. So the flop Of the popular
idol Is a shock.
Hagen's Side
OF course, there are two sides to
every controversy, and Walter Hagen
has an exceedingly strong one, lie
realizes-being n man of mature Judg-
mept-that championships are evanes-
cent as the summer breezes, and that n
champion should pad his bank account
with the well known golden fleece.
Walter Is booked on an exceedingly
lucrative exhibition tour with Trick
Shot Kirkwood, and the dates that his
business manager arranged CONNECTED
with both the =. 6. As tournament
and the Western open.
OF course. the argument is that out OF
loyalty to Detroit. his home. and to the
Golfers Association, Of which he Is
member, that Walter should have en-
tered them both, regardless of what
financial loss it would have caused him.
There is n modicum Of truth in this, but
the bronzed champion was probably
smarting under the sting that the fail
ure of any Detroit cubs to bid for the
services of the Hagen Kirkwood COM
bination made. The folks out there
felt that il would be foolish to pay out
good money to see him in an exhibition
match when they could see him play in
the open.
Sarazen Not In Open
Gene Sarazen, holder of both the Ma
tional open and the 7. G.. A. titles, will
not compete in the Western open either.
Gene. at n dinner given to him and
Emmett French, whom he defeated at
Oakmont. said he was genuinely sorry
to pass up the tournament, but that he
did not feel that he could do himself
justice by appearing in It.
"I have played in two big tourna :
| ments and more than thirty exhibit
tions since July 10 and have three ex- =
bIbitions scheduled for the very near fu =
ture. I feel that ] nm bit over
golfed, and unless / could be in my
best form would not want to appear in
a tournament.
On closer inspection, of course, Sara
zen's reason is substantially the same
as Hagen's. He fees that a champion &
span Is not long one and that he
might as well tenr all the feathers from
| the goose Of fortune while he Is nble.
And though there may be some foks
who deplore the tinge of commercialism
that creeps into the ancient and honor
able game by this procedure it isn't q
dishonorable one at all.
The High Cost OF GoH
Golf has stepped along during the
last few years into position Of popu =
larity that was deemed impossible few
seasons back Yet there Is one draw
back to the blanketing process that the
game is achieving. That Is the cost
There are so many expenses incidental
to handling golf club that the dues
must be proportionately high.
Chicago is making a very determined
effort to cut these costs, and it woult
be we'll for the clubs in this district
to east a questioning eye at the method
employed by the Westerners. Little leak,
In the club Itself, In the managemen,
OF the greens, etc, cost thousands OF
dollars year because committee mem :
bers have too much to do In their own
businesses to give the proper time and
attention to club management.
! Thirty clubs In the Chicago disIr,c.
have Joined together In the hiring Of q
field manager, who visits the variou,
courses. determines on their needs and