Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-10
EUROPEAN TRIPS
BOOST FOR GOLF
Charlie Hoffner Says Invasions
by American Teame Improve
International Relations
SOLVE LINKS PROBLEMS
BY CHARLES II. HOFFNER

Member L. :. Internationn Golf Team, 1921
GOLF fans are apt to be divided in
~ opinion over the success of the trips
of the American teams which invaded
Great Britain last year in quest Of links
laurels.
Most are inclined to consider the trips
success or failure, according to the
showing made by the teams. But It
seems to me that the prime object of
the invasions has been somewhat lost
sight of-namely. the establishment of
firm international relations in sport.
1t Is a fine object and we members
of the teams We're able to see its effect
and how it worked out l sincerely be-
lieve that the best solution of the jum-
bled situation on the rules and the other
problems that confront golfdom today
is the sending of teams over there every
year.
Winning or losing, in my opinion,
hasn't much to do with it. We won
the British open. however. and should
defend it this year. The amateurs and
| ladies failed in their events. but IL it
Is in any way possible, they ought to
! try again.
The Stimulus
The international flavor is a wonder
full stimulus to the game. For the stars
! OF the country the trip Is an education
and the standard of the game on both
sides is boosted. A common ground in
the rules and other discussions Is cstab-
/ lishod, and also brothcrly basis. which
would never come under an "all for one
and nothing for-all" regime such as
each country striving only for its own
! interests on its own side of the ocean.
1t can be truthfully said that the
British are as eager for us to come
over there as we are eager to have them
compete in our events.
There has been n great deal said in
regard to the way tho American pro-
fnSSOnal team was received on the other
! side when il went over last year to
compete in the British open at st. An
! drews.
AS member Of that team I am in
n position to brand some of the state
ments that we were treated coolly as
untrue.
We were given every courtesy and
consideration while abroad and / can
, frankly say 7 have never seen faircr
/ sporting spirit than was accorded us.
The Best Way
1t IS true that Jock HutchIson was
| handed the cup on the eighteenth hole
after the play-off for the championship.
There wasn't any formal presentations
but what winner would have had it any
differently?
Jock told nc frankly that he would
rather have received the cup there than
any other place--right in the midst of
the enthusiasm up there on the shoul
ders of the rooters where everybody
could sec It, while the spectators anG
picture men were all around to get their
last look at the cup for another year.
AS a matter of fact, | don't think they
expected Jock to walk uf with the cup
then, but he was so excited that he
couldn't take his hands off it and
marched all the way 10 the hotel with
the trophy in his hands.
His victory was very popular. Right
from the start they We're roofing for
EIutchison. Even during the play off
which We all followed, it was surpris-
ing the number of BritiShorS who were
strong for Jock the Hutch"
The prizes were ali presented in front
Of the st. Andrews clubhouse at Z
o'clock the night before the play-off.
Players Praised
1t was here that they spoke very
highly OF Ilutchison and all the other
American entries as several Of them
, came forward for tNeir prize money.
Thinking it over afterward we agreed
il was not really necessary TO present
| the cup formally, and that the spon
taneOus way 1t was done was best.
/ The st. Andrews course was a very
, good test of golf. but unfortunately tLoy