The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-24
Mike Brady Leader
 in Qualifying Round
 of Western Tourney

Birmingham, Mich, August 23- Playing over course in perfect con- dition but which proved to be one of the toughest propositions ever bucked in tournament contest, ap- proximately 40 golfers today shot the IS holes of the Oakland Hills links in the first qualifying round of the Western open tournament with Mike Brady, local professional lead ing the field with a 72, the only par score of the day.
 Following close behind Mike was Johnny Farrell, boy professional of the Quaker Ridge club at Mamaron- eek, N. r., with a 73 and ranking next with "A each were Chick Evans of Chicago, who led the amateurs; Pat Petranck of Nutley, N. J., com paratively an unknown in tourna- ment play; George Sargent, the Col umbus, Ohio veteran; Gunner Nelson of Lafayette, Ind, and Jock Hutch ison of Chicago, former holder of the British open title. Most of the scores were in the eighties, only 2S running under the four-score fig ure. This in the opinion of veteran golfers, was not due to lack of class in the field for it contained some of the worlds best, but was because the Oakland Hills course had been made into one of the toughest courses in the country.
 Par Is Changed
 By action of the officials of the Western Golf Association, the course, always considered a par "A, was changed to par 72 today when 1t was found that two holes. normally vl. .a.f They were made fours. This, with the fairways corrugated with traps and the numerous greens placed on high hills, made Oakland Hills a much more difficult course than Sko- kie at Chicago or Hillcrest at Kan sas City.
 Such well known players as Elm nett French of Youngstown, Ohio, Bob Cruikshank of Westfield, N. J., P. o. Hart, of Marietta, Ohio, and Elmer Loving, Royal Oak, Mich, turned in cards of 80 for the day, fair indication of the difficulty Of making par 72 on the 6,S61-yard course. Click Evans was the only amateur to score under the 80 mark, although Jimmy Standish of Detroit, euualed that figure.
 One surprise of the day was the showing or lo- year -olu oOD hoi'A V of Detroit, former oaddy, who turned in a card of 3S-39-77, much better than that of many nationally known stars. John Elphick, De- troit professional was another sur prise, with 37-42-79
 Chick Stars
 The real feature of the day, how ever, was the work of Brady, Evans and Farrell. Brady's play took sec ond place to the others In a way, despite his low score because he was playing on his home course. Johnny Farrell did splendidly. but Chick Evans stepped off train a. 3 o'clock this morning. rushed the 20 miles to the course in taxi, and without any warming up or practice over the course, tied for third among the low scorers through as pretty bit of shooting as has ever been seen on this course.
 Jack Hutchison, Mike Brady, Elm melt French and such players went out practically unattended but Evans and Farrell, paired together drew approximately 500. They started with birdie threes and from then on ths match was a wonder. Chick re- peatedly trimmed the cup when sink ing would have meant birdies, while Farrells run ups after bad approach es brought much applause.
 Brady had rather indifferent first nine but came back beautifully on the second. Bad putting cost Jock
 Hutchison chance to be low man on the first day. Several times Jocks green shots passed by the cup by inches.