The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-20
-------------------------------- - z .ly TEE. EAIRANANA IAN kNp< Np<---..-7r.--sF-5 -sF -5eeSTS{ 'Ne6EE Es FEN
 @yesay 4
AMERICAS BEST AMATEURS
 2-JESSE GUILFORD


 In my first article on the best anna teur golfers in America l chose Bobby lone sof Atlanta as this country's best. l now rate the others in one, two, three order-a difficult task in- deed, and one that may subject me to some criticism Many golfers natu- rally will be interested to know what my years of tournament experience have Jed me to think of tho outstand- ing players, and I trust that my tudg ments may meet with approval.
 1t should be borne in mind that these selections are made on a shot making ability. Many good golfers are better at shot making than they are at match play. Rudy knepper, the Iowa star, is a striking example. doubt if there Is a better shot maker in America than knepper, who is so good that he drew the greatest praise from George Duncan, the British star. But knepper lacks just touch of something in the amateur tourna ments, which are by match rounds l would say he is a little too modest. And because of this factor put Knepper in position in my list eighth-that may cause some wonder ment to well informed golfers. 1 will go into more details regarding this sterling player in later article.
 Ten Best Amateurs
 The 10 best amateur golfers in America today. In one. two, three or der, in my judgment, rates as fol lows:
 l, Robert T. Jones. Atlanta, Ga.
 2. Jesse Guilford, Boston Mass.
 3. Francis Ouimet. Boston, Mass.
 4. Robert Gardner. Chicago.
 5. pr. Paul Hunter, Los Angeles. Cal.
 Jesse Sweetser. New York city.
 '. Harrison Johnston, St Paul Minn.
 &. Rudolph Knepper, Sioux City, la
 g. Max Marston. Philadelphia, Pa.
 10. George Rotan, Houston. Tex.
 Jesse Guilford, the present amateur titleholder, ranks as the second best amateur golfer in America. in my judgment. One thing enables me to shade Bobby Jones as better than Guilford. and that is that in some tournaments Guilford failed even to qualify. He failed to score high enough to qualify in last years na- tional open championship in Wash ington.
 Guilford seems to be unable to exc cute the stirring shots that Bobby is capable of. and yet on the whole, it seems to me, big Jesse is a more re- liable golfer. This may be because Guilford has been at the game so long while Jones is comparative new conner. Guilford has the unusual com bination of great strength and ut most delcacy. He belongs to the school of silent golf CTS.
 A Fine Example
 The Big Boston Siege Gun" who rightfully is termed the longest and hardest hitting player in the game. is a fine example of courage and stick to-itiveness. Guilford has lot com ing to him by way of commendation for this quality. I know other golf CTS who had fine foundation for championship honors who quit be- cause of repeated defeats. Guilford met defeat after defeat. and he has known the bitterness of failing to qualify in national amateur cham pionships without having his spirit and his will defeated. He came through it all to his present hold of th> championship.
 young in years he is veteran golfer daresay the records of the Massa- chusetts tournaments for the last 15 years would show Guilford's name among the contestants. In all his years of clamoring at the door of championship opportunity he was. am sure, knocked down and dragged