The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-19
CHAPTER X


 The first open championship follow ing the war was held at the Brae Burn Golf club at Boston and naturally aroused considerable interest. All the star professionals were eager to try their hands again at medal play ana there were a number Of amateurs who appeared worthy of consideration.
 Francis Ouimet, remember, was quite a favorite, as the tournament was played only a short distance from the Brookline links. the scene of his great triumph over Vardon and Ray, the English pros, in 1913. Ouimet Is well liked in Boston and large galleries turned out to see him play. They were hoping he would repeat his victory Of 1913 and many backed his chances.
 Entered Confident of Victory
 During the winter and spring of this eventful year I had played some very goodgolf and felt that I had a right to be confident of my own game. In Flor ida I had played at most of the impor- tant courses and won, I think, more than my share of purses. zThis made me believe that I had an excellent chance to win at Brae Burn and, as I had been waiting five years in all-includ- ing the two seasons of the war, 1917 19ls-for a chance to annex another open title felt my time was due.
 Before relating the story of this championship I want impress on my readers that confidence in golf is half the battle and, unless one can feel that he has, a good chance of winning an important .golt event, he is greatly handicapped from the start. Amateurs oftentimes go into a tournament with the conviction that this player or that one is likely to beat them. When fel- low gets such thought imbedded in his cranium he is really looking for a soft place to fall. The golfer who en- ters a match with the determination to stick to the bitter end, win or lose, will often reap a surprising reward.
 It's Worth While Saying So
 Anyone who heard me remark, down at Belleair that winter, that was go- ing to win the open might have thought was indulging in g. little personal conceit, and maybe did overdo it a bit, but wanted to try the experiment of believing in success for the simple purpose of succeeding. I have seen many a dub turn his mediocrity into a good imitation of genius simply through a persistent and exaggerated notion of his own ability. At any rate. found all my confidence was needed.
 The Bfae Burn course is one of the most difficult in this country and only careful play will help golfer to score. When I had finished the third round, with one more lap to go. my chances for victory looked anything but rosy Mike Brady, a popular pro from the Boston district, had played great golf in three rounds and was leading me by five shots, which was a pretty stiff handicap. Mike had been knocking at the door for a long time and 1t looked as if he was about to come in.
 Doesn't Lose Heart
 It happened that Brady played very early and had started his fourth round before I came in with my third. knew at luncheon that he had me by five strokes, but somehow 1t did not make me lose heart. I kept thinking to myself that Mike might have one bad round before he was through and 1t was likely to come this next time While I was standing at The first tee, ready to start, scouts came running back to~the club house with the news that Brady had been going badly and had completed his first nine in Al strokes, which left nice opening for me if could take advantage of it.
 The Gallery Gathers
 When I arrived at the ninth green Mike had finished, and I knew then just what score I had to make to beat him. I had picked up three strokes on the first nine and must gain three more to win, and two more to tie. The gal lery had discovered that I had a chance 10 eaten mlke anu nau gu ~ oSo the finish. figured that had to just even par to beat my rival, so no stroke could be wasted, unless I got a birdie to make up.
 At the tenth hole saw Mike in the gallery. He had dressed and come out to see me play. Mike smiled when passed and I smiled back.
 Well, Walter" he said, they have all fallen down but you"
 "You won't see me fall down." re- piled. "Just hang around the eighteenth green and watch me finish"
 My march down the course was going smoothly until came to the twelfth hole and here put one out of bounds. [ got on the green on the next shot, however and sank the putt for four. Traces Problem
 Arriving at the last tee faced the problem of g. tie or victory. If got home with my second shot it meant that I had chance to run down the putt for aythree. This would put me one stroke to the good. hit 8 good tee shot and knew then that tie look ed pretty safe. but $he birdie three Wal in doubt, unless could slam the ball up to the pin.
 The home green at Brae Burn ii backed by a stone wall and on each side of the green ia gradual slope which makes an ideal amphitheatre This was black with the gallery who had left just a small opening to the green. remember, when I settled down to hit the second shot, that it made an ideal target and I decided to give the ball all I had, aiming straight foI the stone wall. I was rewarded by see. ing the shot turn out just as l had hoped 1t would. with a putt left for my birdie three. The ball was scarcely 1( feet from the cup.
 A Match Case vs. A Pebble