The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-02
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Every champion we have had in this country has attained his title at d youthful age, with but the excep- ton of Walter Travis, while in Eng land the champions are invariably of d more mature age. It Is common to think of Travis being in the elderly class as champion, and yet he was in the neighborhood of S5 when he first captured the honor
 This would indicate that We have better golfers here than the players abroad, but the indication in this in- stance Is wrong, for the British and Scotch players are the better golf CTS. Take Jim Barnes, present open champion. He came from Britain and was some 35 years old when he cap tured our open.
 The British Is the better golfer, but the American IS the better tourna- ment player. Jock Hutchinson re- marked to me about this just before he left Chicago to go to England for this years British championship. Jock won the British open last year
 Few Tourneys Abrond
 He made an observation which Is interesting and certainly not without a basis in truth It was that the gen eral standard of excellence of golf Is higher In Great Britain than it Is here bechuse In this country golf is an endless series of .-,atches, includ- ing club tournaments, state tourna- ments, section tournaments, cham pionship matches, etc, while abroad there are comparatively few such contests and the individual player, therefore, naturally gives a great deal of attention to experimentation and the study of golf
 Doubtless there is much truth In this. and as an additional factor would suggest that in this country the number of golfers Is increasing so rapidly it Is but natural that the average player should not be so pro- fieient as they are abroad. This con- dition Is, however, one that time will remedy. That the golfers on this side of the water, who do come to the top, do so at an early age as compared to the champions abroad. am inclined to attribute to the great number of matches which players take part in and in which they ac- qulre the nerve that carries them through tense situations where an important event may be decided by a single stroke. Prominent players in this country at the age of % have usually played in many more strenu- ous contests than their cousins across the water have at the age of 40.
 Loses It's Thrill
 There is another disadvantage in too much match play. and that is the thrill of the contest which brings out the best golf in many players is lost by too many contests. In view of these facts I am inclined to think that player who feels within him self the possibilities of first t-class golf will do well not to neglect prac- tice in order to he continually partic- ipating in tournaments.
 The age a. which man plays his best golf is a much discussed ques- ton. But as we look over the records of this country 1t seems that most of our champions reach the top of their form somewhere tween 22 and 32. In Great Britain, ;ording to the re ,ords. tho youngest raan to win a championship was J. H. Taylor. when he won the open title at 23. Vardon took his first championship at 26. With these exceptions the British champions had been well along in the 30s before reaching the top.
 To a man of mature years who Is striving for honors in golf there should be no Encouragement In what have said, for while man of mid de age may have to bow to a few youngsters for first honors, he can develop sue golfing form as to win honors in almost any match outside of the premier event.. W; ter Travis is notable example of the man of middle age reaching the topmost rung.
 Copyright, John F. D le co.)