Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-19
WALES AND HAGEN
TAKE GOLF MATCH
British Open Champ Gives
Prince Lesson or Two in
Stroking Ball.
BY III. III. ROMER,
Associated Press STAFF Writer.

Associated Press STAN Writer.
LONDON, May 1s.-Walter Hagen
had a wonderful game of golf today
with the Prince of Wales. He said so
tonight, when he returned to London
from the sporty and ariStocradc Swinley
Forest course. where. with his royal
highness, he defeated Sir Philip Sasson
and Aubrey Boomer, British profess
Sional l up.
The pro from the United States was
enthusiastic over the game he saw the
heir to the British throne play. Hes
a good player, and a good chap" said
the four-time open champion.
He hits the ball we'll and is keen on
his game all the time. He's about a
he is giving his strokes and analysis he
is applying he ought to improve lot
in not very long time"
Deny They Were Kidnapped.
Hagen and Boomer smilingly denied
been kidnapped" when they were taken
out to play the prince, but their dis
appearance from a big hotel on the
Strand had all the trappings Of a SEN
Sattonal disappearance, engineered in
darkest secrecy and deepest mystery.
Neither Of the two famous profess
sional golfers in the afternoo y green
some" had the faintest idea Were they
were going when they were steered
away from the crowd of newspaper
men and photographers thronging the
main entrance Of the hotel. The golfers
were led through an obscure side exit
to a waiting automobile that dashed off
at top speed and eluded most of It's
pursuers.
The motor car was first driven to
York House. the princes residence for
brief pause and then picked UP Sir
Philip, to land the party at Swinley
Forest where the Prince of Wales wait
ed.
Match Close Affair.
The match was speedily started and
early developed into a close affair.
Neither side had an advantage at any
time OF more than two holes, which was
the margin Of the prince and Hagen at
one stage, and ended with victory at
the home hole for the Anglo-American
pair, byt virtue OF good drive by the
prince and great shot to the plateau
green from Hagens brassie.
After luncheon, Hagen went out on
the course with the prince and coached
him In iron play, a feature of his game
the prince Is anxious to improve.
8! showed him how to put a little
hook on them" said Walter tonight.
HE got better distance right away. He
learns quickly"
There was every indication that the
helr to the throne enjoyed the spirited
little match and Hagen obviously had
good time.
Prince Studies Shots.
What I like about the princes
game" said Walter in summing I'D the
play OF his royal partner, lis his keen
ness and the generally clean way he
hits the ball. He may hit little over
hard at times. but he watches the ef-
feet OF each shot and tries to see how
to better it next time II 1t doesn't 20
just as he wanted it to.
I'VE kept up a running converse
ton about shots and points in the game
all the way around. The prince was
trying out lot of things and the game
was really more OF an experimental af-
fair than a real contest, although natu-
really the competitive spirit was there"
Summing up the game of his royal
highneSS, the open champion declared
himself impressed most by the clean
way the prince goes into the ball and
his putting. He strokes the ball very
nicely" said Walter.
One proof that the prince liked his
afternoons experience was that he i'm
mediately expressed a desire for an
other go with the British champion
from the United States. Hagen said
they would play again when he re-
turns after playing in Germany. The
next match probably will be at Summing
dale, the princes favorite course.
The professional also had praise for
the game OF Sir Philip Sasson, who
supported Boomer so ably that the
match was close all the way.