Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14

what the experts are calling
Helen Hicks, the latest young
American girl to do big things
in big way in the world Of sports.
For since the first Of the year this Long
Island lass has conquered National Champion
Glenna Collect, ranking No. player; Runner
up Virginia Van VIE. ranking No. player and
National Medalist Maureen circuit. ranking No.
player.
And even greater than the surprise with
which the experts greeted her phenomenal as
cent to golfng stardom WIN be their surprise ii
she fails to prove herself Americas best woman
golfer by next season at the latest.
Helen Is still very young. II was Ii years old
In February" she'll tell you frankly-but she's
the best thing seen In women's golf since Alexa
Stirling. Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collet.
appeared ON the scene. Her brilliant play In
the South during the Winter season proves that.
The newcomer Ightened UP every fairway she
visited Her tee shots sailed to distances rare
in womens golf. Three sectional titles, the
Bermuda Miami and Florida championships,
fell to her. And as telegraph wires licked
praises Of her triumphs; as photographers
'shot" poses of her game; as professionals ex-
pressed comments Of her abity-Helen Hicks
giggled.
This giggle bursting forth from perpetual
grin like volcanic eruption is characteristic.
TT WASN'T long ago that Helen played her
= first game Of golf. Her father. Jarvis Hicks,
was advised by his physician to take to the
fairways The sunshine the air. the exercise
would do him a world of good Living in the
salisbury section of Long Island he had little
difhculty in finding golf course. There is
rash of them there.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea," said Helen's
father to Mrs. Hicks one morning, before start
ing out for the links III took Junior and
Helen along with me today. 1t'n keep them
out Of mischief
So little, Jarvis. jr., and Helen trailed behind
their father as he hiked over grassy hills They
watched him drive and putt
When the father approached the sixteenth
tee Junior turned tiredly TO his sister, saying,
"C'mon, sis, let's 60 home. Dads goin' to do
the same thing over again"
"Shi Keep quiet" reprmanded Helen, with
her eyes glued to her fathers driving stroke.
Jarvis. ST., loosened his grip, remembering
what the club pro had told him. swung and
sent the ball flying down the green.
"Oh-golly. what shot" exclaimed bewil-
dered Helen. boy, oh, boy!"
Jaw c'mon, let's go home" Junior nagged.
And that's all there is to the tale. Chubby
Helen was jubiant that day when her father
made long drive. Chubby Helen is jubilant
today when she herself makes a long drive.
usually are about twice as long as her fathers
that particular afternoon-and twice as long as
most man golfers walopS for that matter
WHEN you look at Helen and see young
w woman-not of the fapper type-but
real honest-to-goodness athletic creature, you
Immediately think of what the ancient Athenian
women must have been
Here is a maid, 10. in what Carlyle called
"The glad season of life" And she seems to
be enjoying every moment Of It. Her brown
bushy hair reflects it. Her baby eyes twinkle it,
Her white, glstening teeth flash it.
Too, she has an unsophisticated. kiddish air
about her. Expressions like Jaw g'wan," "gee,"
"golly," frequently slide OF her lips during her
conversation.
Her attitude is one Of decided seriousness.
however, whenever 1t comes to the actual play
ing Of golf-or any game that requires skill
Shell kid with you in the ,parlor, tell Walter
Hagen you're not so bad yourself" but on the
links when she's matching her stroke against
yours-nothing can distract her.
But what better describes Helen Is her tom
boyishness which brought her the nickname,
"Billie" 49,
Again it wasn't so long ago. The Hicks FAM
lily moved to Summer farm. Helen and Jarvis.
IT,, and Marion and Byron, the two older chill
dren, made the trip. =. ... .-.:..-'
-. Out in the country the boys wore overalls-
even little Junior. The, women folks donned
Light gingham dresses, But Helen didn't like
the garb: She was In the country and she
wanted to dress like the country-carefree.
After considerable persuasion, the =, family