Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-27
BRITISH TRIUMPH
TOMS ONLY FLASH
American Champion Is Much
More Consistent Over
Seasons Stretch.
Pro Golf Ratings

/. Billy Burke, Greenwich, Conn.
q Tommy Armour. Detroit.
3. George Won Elm, Los Angeles.
4. Densmore ShIte. Cleveland.
5. Walter Hagen, Detroit.
8. Tom Creavy. Albany. N. Y.
Z. Gene Sara1en, New York.
3. I'd Dudley. Wilmington, Del
Q. Leo Diegei, Aqua Caliente. Mexico.
10. Wilfred Cox, Brooklyn.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.
@HICAGO, october a.
Which is the more dim
~ cult feat, winning the
United States or British
open golf championship The an
swer to that question-2nd 1t
never will be satisfactorily an
swered--should decide the rank
ing professional golfer for 1881.
The writer is inclined to give
Billy Burke, winner of the United
States championship at Toledo,
pititYthtt OvtE Tommy Armour.
who captured the British title at
necticut star as No. 1.
Burke's play In the Nbig champion
ships was far more compelling than
that OF Armour, who was unable 10
ind his top form after the victory at
Carnoustie. Burke on the other hand
not only won the United States open
after the titanic 72-hole play-on against
George Won Elm, but also starred in
the Ryder Cup matches and went TO
the semi-finals Of the professional
Golfers Association championship at
Providence. Armour was knocked out
IN the Quarter-flnAls OF the p. G. A. and
the seasons balance gives Burke q small
margin over the black Scot.
Won Elm Third on List.
Third place Is awarded to George Won
Elm. who 10 all intents and purposes
Is q professional as well as a business
man golfer. Won Elm played well
through the Winter season Sharing
first honors in the s25 900 Aqua Caliente
open; was leader in the Western open
and then came on to tie for the Ma
t1onal and force Burke to 60 an added
four rounds to capture the coveted title.
Densmore Shute, although he won
none OF the major championships is
rated fourth. Shute beat both Armour
and Burke in the p. @. A. championship
and his brilliant play was one Of the
outstanding features of the United
States victory over Great Britain In the
Ryder Cup matches. Shute is develop
ing into one OF the best professional
players OF the country and deserves q
high place among the leaders.
Walter Hagen staged q remarkable
comeback during the 1891 season to win
NTH place. The Haig's game still was
missing fire during the Winter season
n "a Sf IN,
petition. He was second In the Western
open at Dayton; played some fine golf
IN the National and then went on to
win the Canadian open after q play
on with Percy AllisS Of England. The
old Duke also fired many great shots
wnen ne captained the Ryder Cup team
and stu Is one Of the worlds best.
Although Young Tom Creavy OF
Albany. N. y, won the Professional
Golfers Association championship. he
cannot be ranked better than sixth.
The p. O. A. was Creavy's FIRST major
victory, and. while he is q fine shot
maker, more proof Of his greatness must
be submitted, Creavy will play through
the Winter circuit in an effort to estab-
lish himself among the leading pro-
feSSional stars. Tom is q youngster
who has not vet reached the peak Of
his game, but may develop rapidly with
the P, q. A. title under his belt.
Sarazen Among Elect
Gene Sarazen still holds a place
among the leading 10, although no
major title came his way in 1881. He
made . game fight at Carnoustie and
was q semi-flnalist in the P. @. A. He
was another Of Americas stars in the
Ryder Cup duelS and made a fine
cleanup in the Winter tournaments.
Next TO Sarazen comes Ed Dudley. who
won the $4,000 Los Angeles open and
the Western open. Leo Diegel is
awarded ninth place. Diegel never
was very hot, outside of the National
open, where he had a good chance to
win. but he usually managed to finish
among the money winners
Wilfred why Cox Of Brooklyn
brings up in tenth position The former
fireman on the battleShip Nevada had
q fine year. He helped whip Great
Britain in the Ryder cup matches; was
among the leaders in the National
open and grabbed several stable purses
during the Winter season.
For the first time in several years
Horton Smith, Al EspinoSa, Johnny
FARRELL and Macdonald Smith failed to
rank among the first 10. But over the
run Of the year they failed to accom-
plish anything particularly outstand-
Ing, and perforce must give way 70 new
corners.