The Washington times., 1929-06-19
!
HAS CHARGE
or PRESS
SECTION
By George A. Simpson

BY george A. simpson
Reams are written about the
contestants in every national
golf championship, but few
ever desert the Joneses, the
Hagens, the Smiths, etc., to pay
credit to the workers who pre-
pare the way for the success
full and speedy conductiOns of
such events.
Putting on a ma jor golf event is
no simple task for it requires
months OF preparedness by the OF
ficials of the club where the tourney
is held. The course must be trimmed
In order that the fairways and
greens are in first-class condition
extra help hired, and the facilities
enlarged.
Golf has grown enormously in the
last few years. and is classed as big
business. Each club holding a
major championship endeavors TO
0utstrip the other. and appoints
various committees a year in ad-
vance. Special duties are assigned
these committees. and their jobs
ore never left undone.
One Of the silent and most
efficient workers In connection
with golf tournaments Of ma
tiOnal scope Is Jim Preston, the
rhieftain Of the Senate press
gallery. Preston is associated
i. with the United States Golf As
SOciatiOn as an assistant to TOAn
a~oAHutixya unnP0tMPv nf
the U. s. G. A.
1T is Preston's duties to see that
the scores are posted on the boards
correctly. that accommodations are
Furnished; newspaper men and teie-
graph operators and that the field
telephones are working properly.
Preston has handled the press sec
ton at practically every national
/. OPEN, national amateur, i. national
pubIic9 links and national women s
golf championship since 1921, He
is one of the most valued officials
OF ths u S. G. A. because of his
accuracy courtesy and speedy
methods. 1t was his foresight that
brought the telegra pin and teie-
phone to the scene of the events.
Back in 1921 when Columbia
aional. open, Preston was asked to
Join the committee and help out
with the press section. In those
days, messengers Felayed the copy
from the golf clubs In the outlying
districts to the telegraph offices
often located in the central part of
the town. This delayed stories
Eeaching out-oftown papers.
:; Preston and his committee at
Columbia saw the necessity NJ
having wires installed at the
clubhouse. and the correspond
ents covering the national open
1T Columbia were OveriOyed
when supplied these advantages.
Then telephones were placed at
every four holes. SO that mes.
|. sages eOuld be pl1Oned direct to
the clubhouse relating the posi-
ton Of the leaders at every
fourth hole. Previous to then
the scOrebOrds only contained
the results at the end OF each 9
holes.
This was a progressive step in
goR and the telegraph companies
aNoke to the fact that golf was
good business They have since de.
tailed trained operators for the golf
Journeys. In fact, the telegraph com
pRnies have special operators also
for tennis, baseball, horse racing and
football. each schooIed in the par
ticutar sport to which he is assigned.
Preston has watched golf grow
IN size and says the game hasn't
reached it's peak. He has seen the
national open entries leap from 800
in 1921 to over thousand this year.
Not enrolled at any club, the pub
lie links are his pride, and he has
been an indefatigable worker in the !
Interests OF public courses.
As a result of statistics gathered |
by Preston and furnished the |
United States Golf Associa tion. a
book is published each year supply.
ing data on municipal courses !
throughout the country. Complete in |
every detail, it is sent communities |
that solicit advice from the u. S. |
G A. as to the construction and |
4naintenance OF courses.
= The book reveals when the
course was opened, number Of
holes, total yardage, par for
course, maintenance and by
whom Operated.' number Of
rounds played during year and
other facts. Every November
Preston submits n qWeStiOnnaire
: 10 the park commissioners and
SPORTS editors requesting data
:. on the upkeep. etc.
.Unless Congress soon sdjonrns.
I'm afraid / won't be abs to serve
at the national open next week"
sighed Preston today. "Since 1921
] haye been in charge OF the press
and sec aboard arrangements at
practical every major tournament.
have noted the games progress
and today golf commands wide
space. -.-....,
Al HoGghton, pro at Harper
Country Club. scored 1853 in the
first days play of the Shawnee
Open yesterday at Delaware Water
Gap. Houghton had rounds. of 80
and s7s. Walter Reds" Cunning.
ham pfa ct Burning Tree totaIled
"a -G&-17B.. -
SOhnny Golden, member 1t
the 1929 United States Ryder
Cnp team. is leading the field
with IA. Harry "LighthOrse"
Cooper is next with l4S.