The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-20
CHAPTER ELEVEN

After winning the American open at Brae Burn in 1919, began laying plans for my first trip abroad. A try at the British open had long been cherished ambition with me and I felt that my | recently acquired title gave me good | excuse to be among those present. But, as I said before, representing oneself | in a tournament, and representing ones country, are two entirely different mat ters. think felt the responsibility a good deal more strongly than I real ized at the time, for the result of that first venture on foreign soil was a bit ter disappointment.
 During the summer months, after winning the National open. took part in. the Metropolitan open at North Shore, Long Island, and won the event a second time, successfully defending my title. I played some exhibition golf that summer, but this form of compe- tition had not become very popular as yet. During the winter of 1920, I made a trip to the south, as usual, and played in all the open tournaments. My game was very satisfactory, and it looked as if it would improve even more during the spring.
 Agrees To Go Abroad was talking one aay with Al Wal lace of Detroit, outlining my plans for the contemplated European trip, and we agreed to go abroad together. At the last minute, however, Al found 1t impossible to go and I had to leave without him. I sailed on the Maure- tahia on May g and got my first glimpse of the British Isles six days later. My arrival in England had evil dently been widely heralded, for was met by a score of reporters, all look ing for a story.
 One of these became so zealous in his task that he wrote long account of things I never said and put me in a very unfavorable light before the people of England and Scotland, just when I was most anxious to create his article, I will admit, was due to a misunderstanding. In Great Britain the word par was not known, as all courses had what used to be termed bogey. Par is taken from the length of the holes, while boeey is taken from what a hole should be played in by the average good player.
 First Round In 70
 I remarked that the Deal course, where the championship was to be played, was a par 72, and it came out in the paper that I had inferred that anyone who couldn't go around in 72 was a mighty poor golfer. However,' Z this was short-lived and soon forgot ten. I only bring it up to show that there is a difference in our golf in more ways than one.
 It was a great treat to play on English and Scotch courses. and my first round of 70 on a private links was sure my game had not suffered with the ocean voyage. It was not long before Jim Barnes joined me, and we took on a match against George Duncan and Abe Mitchell. Jim and l won, much to the surprise of the Eng N1a1,w PiersYr he T1l0 Ua arr to be much superior. We were nat urally elated.
 Courses Were A Novelty Jim and I took a little trip to Muir field, where the amateur was being played, and then visited old St. An drew in Scotland and played a round. | The seaside courses were novelty, and playing over them gave us an idea of the difficulties we had to meet. One thing over there that we do not have here is the high winds, which nearly blow one off the tees.
 was anxious to get a chance at Deal, and 1t was not long before played the course in practice. some how, never could work up my best game on this course, as 1t is built in such a way that a large element of luck enters into the play. It was there that encountered the late Lord North cliffe, with whom I had often played in America. I visited his home at North Foreland and played a number of rounds with him at other courses. He was devoted to the game and was present at all championships, seeming to enjoy following the players around and studying their style.
 My experience in the open at Deal can be told in a few crisp and tragic words. I must have disappointed lot of my admirers, who figured that had a chance to win the British title; but they will never know how disappointed I was. Playing on such wind-swept course was anything but pleasant, and especially over such a Even the British pros thought Deal too uncertain for a championship match.
 Surprises Come Fast
 never played in a tournament that saw more upsets. I got a very bad first round and figured that 1t was all up with me. knew that if I couldn't win first place the money prizes meant nothing, so I put all my efforts into staging a comeback and began taking chances that were really unwarranted. This desperate expedient didn't work, and I fell hopelessly behind.
 Although I knew I was defeated I kept plugging along; but had, even then. made up my mind to wait for another opportunity when conditions might be better. Although I didn't know it, this opportunity was to come two years later. when I won the Brit ish open at Sandwich, a links right next door to Deal-in fact, a brassie shot will carry from one course to the other.
 George Duncan won the open at Deal that year, but George thought he was out of 1t with two rounds of 80. He made a great fight in the next two rounds to win the title, and there were so many upsets among the 13 men