Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-18
OFF-SEASON THERE
IS BEST OVER HERE
BritonS Would Have Chance
to Win Big Purses-FaCe
72-HoIe Tests.
BY WALTER HAGEN,
British Open Golf Champion.

- FORGE DUNCAN informed me
in England last Spring that he
r would not be surprised If lead
~ ing British professionals visited
the United States this Winter
to play in the long tournament program
being planned.
The British professionals have an off
season during the months when the
best purses are being played for in
America, and Duncan believes some Of
the old country players could make the
trip profitable one.
Another important reason for Brit
iSh invasion is the growing belief III
England that until the professionals
there have had more experience play
ing 72-hole medal play competitions
they will be at disadvantage IN their
own open championship, won by Ameri-
cans seven out of the last eight years.
Have Few Long Journeys.
Following the open at Muirfield, Dun
can remarked that this was his first To-
hole tournament since he had competed
in the Irish open - months previously,
there being few events for professionals
in England What few competitions
there are generally are match play
events, so there is little opportunity for
the BritonS to acquaint themselves with
the medal play game.
1t is not that they need experience
hitting the ball, more practice. but they
should become accustomed to playing
in 72-hole events, so when the open
comes around they will have better
mental attitude, which means more
confidence.
The British Rider Cup members by
their play at Leeds, Wnere they de-
feated the United States team, demon
strated that they were great golfers,
and if they can play that sort OF golf
at Leeds there is no reason why they
cannot do 1t in the open. There was
only scattering of foreign players in
the American open. Duncan said the
boys could not afford to go to the
United States unless they felt they had
a good chance to win. And he didn't
consider this possible with the little
medal play experience the men had
had.
Duncan said the British professionals
would gain far more by waiting until
Winter, when they could get away from
their clubs and md sufficient tourna-
mentS to keep them busy for at least
two months, after which they would
return to England better prepared than
ever to defend their own title against
the Americans, for an annual American
invasion is certain.
Trips Profitable TO Him.
The winning of the British open can
make an American professional, and
with this big stake as prize, the good
United States players are ambitious
enough to take advantage of every OPP
portunity. l have made eight trips 10
Britain, and have been we'll repaid
hope to go many more times, for not
only is the trip a fine golfing venture,
but there is great enjoyment in seeing
other countries and playing on the
famous seaside links.
I, for one, hope to see a good dele
CATION of British players in the United
States tournaments this Winter. lt
will add more color to what Is getting
TO be a fine feature of the Winter sport
ing program, and will increase the I'M
portance of each event.
There is every reason why the British
professionals wish to prepare for the
1880 open at Hoylake, for next Spring
Bobby Jones and the American Walker
Cup team will be in Europe, and If
the open there will be quota OF our
best professionals, as well as the best
medal players among the amateurs.
With Jones, Won Elm, George Volgt
and a few others who can score well
enough to win any open, the annual
American attack will be stronger than
ever.
Chicago, which has just had an
American derby, with the largest purse
given, is now planning a $4,000 golf
tournament for the next fair, and the
Chamber of Commerce hopes to stage
1t as a worlds championship and bring
all of the great players in the world
to Chicago for the event.
copyright, 1929, by North American News
paper Alliance