The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-06
y SPORTS &
RELAXATION IS One THING EVERY
GOLFER SHOULD LEARN, SAYS HAGEN

Editors Note: The Associated
Press herewith presents another
Of series OF articles illumin-
ating national sports and their
chief figures. 1t is an interview
with Walter Hagen. leading pro-
fcssional golfer OF the world.
writtea by Allen j. Gould. sports
editor. The interview is copy
righted by the Associated Press.)
New YORK. Aug 6-tP) The duff
fcrt in golf who are struggling II
break 1907 can make "a long stride
toward their goal if they will follow
the advice Of no less an authority
than Walter Hagen. and relax.
The American professional cham
pion declares relaxation" is the one
thing that every golfer should learn.
yet "hoH many Of them. knowing
full we'll the advantage Of loo r.,
supple muscles. tighten up and be-
come as stiff AZ poker "a they are
about to hit the bali"
This ruins more shots than any
other one thing can mention" said
the premier rrcfcs sional.
Keynote to Success
In thus passing on. tnrough the
Associated Press. what he regards a.
the most helpful of all hints he can
give to the inexperienced, Hagen
also strikes "A keynote in the remark
able success Of his career. No cham
pion in the game takes it any easier
than Hagen. who learned the lesson
some years ago in disastrous at
temp. to keep pace with the ire
pressible veteran. Jock Hutchison.
"Jock and met in the finals Of
The first +. G.. A. tournament. ever
held. Jock set off like a race horse
and | tried to gallop along with him.
We covered half the course in the
astonishing time Of something like
an hour and half. but where Jock
WAS used to that sort Of thing ! got
into all kinds Of trouble. hurried my
shots. and. Of course. lost the match.
That taught me TO take il easier and
study out the shots and many prob
lens that present themselves through
the fairways and on the green's"
II has been the qualities Of taking
1t easy" and taking nothing for
granted plus keen determination and
a rare ability to rise to his greatest
heights in emergencies that has
lifted Hagen to the preeminent posi-
foremost professionals.
A Great "Pinch Hitter"
Aided by these factors over a span
of a dozen years in major tourna-
ment competition. Hagen has estab-
lished himself as the greatest "pinch
hitter" in the game. one Of the most
colorful and spectacular players that
golf has ever known He has won
more "opcn" titles, shattered more
records and staged more flourishing
finishes for victories in that period
than any other competitor Hagen
finish" on the links has become as
famous to sports world Of today as
Garrison's in horse racing years
ago.
Neither the widest rushes Of the
galleries nor the most exciting Of
| situations apparently ever ruffled the
even tem~o Of Hagcn's shot making
or detract his attention from the
main purpose in manipulating the
game. He has record Of never
having been beaten in Il play off for
an important title and many of his
greatest trumphs have found him
! calm and concentrating. oblivious Of
the nerve wracking elements in sit
uations which have caused many an
other star to elbow up"
Regards Golf as a Pleasure
At the same time the man who an
nually makes more than presidents
salary for taking part in champion
ships and exhibition matches rega rds
golf as more pleasure than a bust
ness, fact which his friends be-
lievc is largely responsible for his
unprecedented success. Hagen leaves
all business arrangements to his
manager or his associates in various
enterprises. while he directs his own
interest to the game. getting the
full benefit Of the sport as we'll as
the competitive thrill
Since winning his first American
open crown in 1914. Hagen has played
IN 81 open tournaments Of major
Importance here and abroad, winning
"a Of them. Thus he has emerged
triumphant on an average Of better