Evening star., 1926-06-16


against him, Macfarlane has certain
distinguishing qualities that will make
him an important contender at Co.
lumbus. Ohio, next month. 1t is not
beyond the realms of possibility that
he will repeat his Worcester victory.
Is Not Egotistical.
Willie. to an unusual degree, is
philosopher. He is generous minded,
he is totally lacking in egotism and
above all, the game is more important
to him than any title.
Up at his club. the Oak Ridge, last
Spring several months before he be-
came champion--he said to me one
day
"Golf-it's a grand game. isn't it?
You know. | wouldn't change my
job as professional for any other on
earth. It's wonderful thing to be
associated with .an enterprise that
gives so many people happiness.
When Willie went up TO Worcester
in 1925 he wasn't caring whether he
became champion or not. There
would be several days of fine sport
In store for him. he felt. and many
hours of pleasant reunion with fel-
low craftsmen from all over the coun-
try. But while il would he nice TO
Qi Aflc titlC, tIilS was tioh tClli-
bly, important.
When he finally found himself the
chief contender among the profession
ais, he played for all he was worth.
but it was with cheerful equanimity
that seemed to say the battle was no
more important than any casual four
some of d sunny June afternoon. 1t
was that temperamental fitness which
carried him to victory over Bobby
Jones'
Proves Real Champion.
From Worcester Macfarlane. went
to the Shawnee open. where he
proved himself champion by doing
72 holes in 2S3. However. by sen
sational finish--shooting the last nine
holes in 29-Willie Klein of Wheat.
ley Hills tied him and there had to
be a play-off
Now the odds were all in favor Of
Macfarlane winning that play-off. He
was veteran who had been through
many battles and who. at this period
was at the very top of his game.
Klein, on the other hand, was a
yOungster who never had won a real
ly big tournament and who was hav
ing his first test under the strenuous
conditions Of play Yet. before
they went to the first tee. the ma
tional champion approached his
youthful rival and said:
What about it, Willie, shall We
split first and second money!"
This meant that Klein would get as
much money out of the tournamen
as Macfarlane, even though the latter
won. 1t certainly tended to encourage
the younger man and strengthen him
mentally for the struggle to follow.
D.,t ,lat c,ln he nf
fellow Macfarlane is in even in finer
aspect. Klein naturally started off a
bit nervously, whereupon Macfarlane
again took hand.
Take your time. Willie" he said,
land don't worry about me- Let S
just show the folks who've come. out
to see us play today good game of
golf. Let's give them the best we
have"
Game Is More Than Title.
Then he added:
1T would be fine for YOU to win.
Go on I'll be happy to see you win"
Willie Klein treasures this expert
ence as one of the finest things in his
life. For Willie also realizes what
golf is all about. And he could see
with Macfarlane that the game was
bigger than the title itself.
The play-off was thriller. But
Macfarlane finally won with IL to
Klein's a. a splendid showing for the
younger man.
Down South last Winter Macfar-
lane and Leo Diegel played best ba II
match against Klein and Charley Muir
ray at Klein's home club, the West
Palm Beach. At the first tee an an
nouncer instroduced the players.