The Washington times., 1922-09-07


rison p Johnston, of st. Paul, be-
fore William McPhail, a young Bos'
ton player who thus becomes the
outstanding unknown" of this
years championship. McPhail is
rated about fifth among Boston
golfers and his only accomplishment
heretofo"s was the winning Of the
Herbert Jaques Cup.
Jaques was formerly president of
the U. S. G. A, and was one of
the pioneer enthusiasts for golf in
New England, so much so that the
Jaques Cup competition each year
Is held in his honor. Johnston could
not maintain his grips during the
downpour, which forcibly reflects
that championship play during a
downpour of rain is not a true test
Of golf skill.
The common suppOsition that
ct is as fair for one as for an.
other" is not founded in facts.
Golf Is a game of skill and when
wet and sloppy conditions enter
iptO the game, the matter of
Inance and circumstance enter
trtO Ii.
think the championship rounds
should be on a dry course so that
the most skilled of players could
have fullest opportunity to employ
their skill. The object of practice
and training for championship
play is to acquire skill, not to be-
come proficient under slippery and
soggy conditions.
Perhaps some day we may have
a ruling that will eliminate such
playing necessities as the matches
went through yesterday. I hoped
so when / saw Francis Ouimet and
Rudy knepper go to the first green
on the afternoon round.
Either of these stars is capable
of putting his ball on the green
on his second shot, but what hap
pened? They were both short,
Francis on one side of the green,
Knepper across the way from him.
both in rough. Then Francis pitched
and his ball landed in a trap on
the other side of the green.
When the strain thus affects
these two so disastrously, what
II uO W
enced players. all Of whom have
the fullest right to try for the title
under the fairest of conditions.
The two Bobs' match, as foreseen,
proved the thriller of the day. So
thrilling was it, in fact, that at one
time on the green's Bobby Jones'
father, who is always with him at
the championships, attempted to
light his cigar, but lit his finger In
stead.
1t was unfortunate that the meet
ing Of these great players, Jones and
Gardner, was under such wet condi-
tons.
Harry Vardon pointed out some
years ago that the golfer can absorb
too much golf exactly. as the boxer
can over train, and today witnessed
proof of it. Though heretofore l
doubted Vardon's theory.
Bill Fownes, Of Pittsburgh, had
simply "golfed himself out" before
n fell to his lot to be matched with
me today. I could see signs Of 1t as
we travelled our morning rounds
Fownes, one of the most magnetic
and likable amateur stars in Amer
lea. not only played with us in the
International matches on Long
Island recently, but he captained the
American team and had all the
executive matters in his charge.
With his real abilities he de-
served to go farther In these
matches, II not, indeed, to the title
itself, which his personality would
adorn. II is one Of the sad aspects
of the championships that players
who have the keenest admiration
for each other must bring about
eIinlinations.
Beginning today the matches sift
down toward the semi-finals, when
the playing will begin to indicate
with some degree Of accuracy whose