Evening star., 1923-05-01

The American golfing public can
feel assured that I will do the best
I can in representing them abroad. 1
have always been given credit for
having lot Of confidence. Sometimes
I: has been justified and sometimes
It has not, When 1 played at Sand
wich lase year I happened to be play
having gone into a championship with
a feeling of more confidence than
had on that occasion.
Drive From Liners Deck.
This. Of course, was brought about
shots better than ever before. I was
playing with a new driver that had
q straight face and was hitting a long
low ball with 1t, which gave me much
more yardage.
The conditions at Sandwich were
such that my drive was a great asset
to my game. There is more or less
wind at Sandwich, which happens to
on the English Channel. On wind
swept golf course the drive is OF great
My iron shots we've also In good
working order and l was putting very
well. This com mbination gave me con-
fidence that mil ght not have had other
wise. 1 certainly did not feel the
>same way on my other trips.
My playing in the west and south
during this past winter has been very
satisfactory. If I could enter the
British championship with the same
game that 1 left off with at Pine
winning this year would be very good.
Just how long one can go at top
speed is problematfcal. I have tried
70 keep away from the game as much
as possible for the last fortnight: l
look forward to more or less OF
rest ON the boat going over. although
] am taking along several golf balls
to drive off the ships deck.
New Course at Troon.
The course at Troon. where the
British open championship will be
played this year for the first time. is
considered one of the severest tests
of the game. However, from reports
I have heard. many new traps have
been installed which will put a pre-
MUM on accurate playing.
The Troon links is new to not only
the American players. but to the
be precious little advantage to be
had from this angle. All British
seaside courses are more or less
alike. just as our inland courses here
resemble one another.
Tho Aquitania is carrying three
other golfers beside myself who must
be considered as having a chance OF
winning this championship. The
players referred to are Gene Sarazen.
the American open champion. who is
!, making his first trip abroad: Joe
Kirkwood, my partner, and Charlie Hoff-
ner Of the Philadelphia district. Jim
Barnes will sail later.
Kirkwood and Hoffner have both
seen action abroad. Hoffner was
member OF the American team two
years ago at Sandwich.
sarazen Is Adaptable.
It is a little early to get a line on
any OF the trio. Sarazen will be up
against the problem Of playing
seaside course and In strange land.
But Gene is a grand little golfer
and can adapt himself to conditions
as we'll as any one. I predict that
ne will make very good showing
at Troon.
Last year Kirkwood was one of the
outstanding favorites to win the title.
Joe played remarkable golf over there.
previous to the championship. He tied
with me in leading the field in the quail
flying round, but his playing in the
tournament proper was far below his
standard.
Joe came into his own this past VIM
ter in America. He won the California
championship, the east coast OF Florida
championship and an open event in
Texas, so he has developed the winning
habit. I believe this will give him
lKreater confidence than he had in the
other two championships
We will miss Jock Hutchison as a
member of our party this year.
French Stars In Field.
Long Jim Barnes. I understand. is
going over again. Jim has had consid-
cradle experience on the other side.
Last year felt that it was Jim I had
to beat on my way to the title. He was
playing remarkably good golf and was
q dangerous rival in every round. Jim's
showing in British championships has
been notable. At Deal he finished sixth.
At st. Andrews he was sixth again and
at Sandwich last year he was tied with
Duncan for second place.
There are many excellent British
golfers and one or two French stars to
be considered very seriously this year.
I will discuss their cases later.
(This Is the first Of the series of spe-
cicl teIe0rGn,s and cables Il, tohich
Hagen. foremost golfer in the 1norld,
.olH describe for this paper the big
events Of the season just opening
Journeys on both sides Of the AtIantic.)
Copyright. 1923. in o. s. and Great Britain, by
North American Newspaper Alliance. All
rights reserved.)