Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-22

A MONG the most interesting
~ phenomena athwart the bum
n kered landscape Immediately
around Washington is the
amazing way in which constant prac-
tice with implements of their chosen
profession has placed a pair of red
headed gents in the professionals shop
at the Chevy Chase Club at the very
peak of a crowded line of labor.
We refer to Bob Barnett and Gene
Larkin, professional and assistant pro-
fessional at the Chevy Chase Club, who
between them hold the two important
titles among the men of t he mid
Atlantic neighborhood who have gone
to golf as means of livelihood. And
in particular we refer to Barnett, who
last year instituted regular regimen
of practice which has brought what
was an ordinary golf game a few years
back up to the heights where the sorrcl-
thatched Chevy Chase mentor is just
about the most consistent performer
along the rough-fringed fairways we
have near the Capital Barnett is the
match play champion of the Middle
Atlantic Professional Golfers Associa-
ton.
Larkin is the open champion of Mary
land. Between them they hold the two
most important local titles in this Sec
tor of the bunkered land. How has it
! come about that these two golfers have
risen above their professional associates
in this neck of the woods in the short
space of year?
SO lar as We can gather 1t comes
| from an idea which had been running
along in the mind of Bob Barnett for
many years. This idea was that If he
took sufficient time to practice. he
could become a far better golfer than
II he went along on the hit-and-mi
path, hoping natural genius would as
! sert itself. Bob took himself in hand
last Spring and set for himself rigid
| system OF practice, which included at
least an hour day on the tee-fre-
| quently two hourS--and permitted him
to play for pleasure two afternoons a
week.
Larkin Follows Suit.
so convinced was Barnett that such a
scheme of practice would do the iob
that Gene Larkin took up the same
method. Day in and day out. rain or
SHINE, IN high winds and in no wind
this pair of professionals pursued their
rigid schedule, right on through the
colo blasts OF Winter and the heat OF
summer. Today they hold both the
major professional titles about Wash
lngton. and today Barnett is Just about
the most consistent scorer in the ranks
OF the paid mentors hereabout. From
! wooden clubs right on down through
the list OF irons to the putter, Barnett
and Larkin have practiced, hitting
! thousands of golf balls until they know
today just where their shots are going
we recall a similar progression oil
skill which brought to a former Wash.
lngton professional a national oper
championship. Tommy Armour, who
came 70 this country as an amateur
from Scotland in 1920, rated as Just
another good amateur until 1924, wher
ne turned professional and began the
career OF assiduouSa practice, which
landed him at the top of the profes.
sional ranks in 1927. Tommy was q
good amateur, but he didn't 90 any.
where in the amateur ranks in this
country. Only after he became a pro.
fessional and gave himself over to sen
Gus and consistent practice did he be.
come the great golfer he is today. Anc
Tommy Armour today believes so sin.
cerely in the virtue of constant prac.
tlce that not day goes by he does not
HE himself out to the practice tee fol
an hours confidential session with hi
clubs. Tommy Armour'S iron shots are
among the classics of the game, the
model all professionals try to emulate
He didn't acquire that skill by an &C.
casional friendly round of golf.
There is no doubt in the minds Of
Barnett and Larkin, and those who have
watched their steady progress, that the
constant regimen of practice they have
insisted upon has played a major part
in their rise in the ranks OF profess
sional golfers. If professionals need
practice and are willing to put them
| selves through such a course OF sprouts