The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-25
FINAL CHAPTER

and south open and the Florida open
 and Texas open.
 FINAL CHAPTER
 The number of American entries fighting for the British open in 1922 was comparatively small. There had been a little army the year before, but this time only four of us went over. The party consisted of Jim Barnes, Jock Hutchison, Joe Kirkwood and my seIf-And was the only one of the four who was born and bred Ameri- can.
 had been playing pretty good golf that year. The new set of clubs had had made for me that winter seem cd to improve my game, particularly my driving. was knocking them a low. which was going to be a big ad- vantage in playing. the windswept course at Sandwich. My form was still with me after we landed. never remember having driven better in my 1 life than I did the week prior 10 the starting of the match. It seemed to affect my whole mental attitude, for I felt convinced, right then and there, that 1t was going to my tournament. guess had a hunch about 1t. Ties With Kirkwood
 We played the qualifying round over both the Princes course and the Sand wich links, and 1t was my good fortune to tie for leadership with Joe Kirk wood. This was only the preliminary or testing round and did not count in the final T2 holes.
 Sandwich is q course that providoe :. variety of play. The first nine holes are mostly blind, but the course was not entirely strange to me, as I had played it when I visited England the first time. The Princes course is on the other side of Sandwich, only stone's throw away, and is a long and difficult links. Sandwich happens to won the British amateur title just 20 years ago, so 1t Is a lucky course for Americans.
 Gale Drives Rain
 I never remember experiencing such weather, before or since. It radned most of the time and stiff gale blew across the field.
 My most dangerous rivals in this championship were Barnes and Hutch ison, who were right, at my heels all the way, but my game was working like a charm, and I managed to keep ahead.
 It was not until the last few minutes of play that we discovered George Dun can had a chance. George came down
  windand struck the final hole with q par four left to tie me. I had fam cied that I had the cup cinched. Fur thermore I had previously made prep arations to sail the next day, so I was more than anxious about his equaling my score.
 Declared Winner
 Right here a funny thing happened | had played from exactly the same spot on the green that George took for his. second shot. There was a little dip and then a mound to play over. thad failed to hit the ball hard enough and had taken thrAeE putts is q: eonse' quence, When George was preparing to play I told one ok the boys standing near me that if he Knew as much. about 1 that putt as I did he would hit pretty I hard; but Duncan repeated my mis- take and his ball did not 90 anywhere near the cup. He failed to get down in four and I was declared the winner, Barnes was only. stroke behind I,Duncan and Jock was q stroke behind Barnes, so,' after all, the invasion of 1922 was even more successful than the year previous. e@
 was tendered a fine reception on my return to America by the West chester -Biltmore Country club, my home course. I never will forget the boys at the dock theSgray, foggy morn ing that we returned and the automo- bile trip through the rain, first to the mayors office and When to the club at Rye, where banquet was held. It was a grand adventure.
 Never Lost R PIay-of l Over a year has passed since then, but it has been busy time for me. I have played in exhibitions all over the 1 country as we'll as returning to Eng land to defend my title at Troon. Those who follow golf and read this article know that finished second this time, but they say miss is as good as a mile, and that extra stroke that might have made up a dozen places along the line--had only known--kept me from a tie. Strange to say 1 have never lost a play-off after tie, and would have liked a chance of tackling that one.
 In that tournament, you will remem. Der, Gene Sarazen failed to qualify hard luck, for Gene would surely have been in the fight had he made the grade. Barnes failure to qualify was also surprise, as he had been doing well in the British open up to that time.
 Another year is here and the British open Is tempting. I certainly hope tc have another try at the title this sea. son. have made four trips to Great Britain and know many golfers over there, and always have a good time mixing business with pleasure.
 Playing in golf championships is a business with me, but, with it's spirited competition and outdoor exercise, it is think, q pleasanter business than most men can claim. A great deal was made of some alleged statement of mine on my return to this country last year, and think the public should understand that bear no i'll will against the British or the Scotch. They have treated me royalty on my trips overseas and sincerely hope to renew my friendship with them this summer
 Good For 25 Years More
 have won nearly every open title in the world, but my keenness for the game, for its clean competition and healthful exhilaration has not dinin- ished In the least. AS look back over my years at golf. comparatively few as they seem, I cant help but feel something like all old pioneer and a newcomer at one and the same time.
 Golf is a grand old game. was no; here at its birth, but I saw it's awaken. ing in America and I am proud to have had my name associated with itf amazing growth and popularity. hope 10 keep on playing golf for 2E years to come.