Evening star., 1932-01-20
PLEASING
TO PRO L|NKSMEN
Improvement Over Balloon
Sphere Is Noticeable in
Aqua CaIiente Meet.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.

@H1CAGO, January 20.-The
L new golf ball received its
W first real competitive test
in the Aqua Caliente Open
tournament, which Fred Morrison
won with a score of four under
fours for the 70 holes. The Aqua
Caliente course puts a premium
on distance, which Hillcrest,
where the Los Angeles Open was
played, did not, and that's Of
great interest to the average
golfer who wants all the yardage
that can be stuffed into a golf
ball.
Morrison is one of the longest hitters
in golf and can be headed only by jim
my Thompson and one or two others.
The tremendous carry he was able to
get with his long shots was the de-
termining factor of his victory. The
Aqua Caliente open was played in rain
and over heavy course, yet Morrison
was able to turn in rounds of SO and
68 to win by the smallest score ever
returned in the Mexican tournament.
Which speaks very well for the scoring
properties of the heavier ball.
Ball Now PIeaseS Pros.
The professionals who were a bit
critical of the new ball a month ago
now are very favorable to its reactions.
They have found it possible. once more,
to get home in two, where last year
Offay, hit short with
their seconds. And your professional
likes his yards just as much as the
duffer
There may still be a bit Of criticism
about the putting qualities Of the ball,
but that probably has been caused by
the necessity of a readjuStment OF the
putting stroke after the switch from the
balloon to the new model sphere.
Some Of the veterans in the game be-
lieve the present ball will be the most
satisfactory ever developed. Fred Nc
Leod and George Sargent compare it
with the old glory dimple," that was
quite ball back in the days when golf
was "cow pasture pool" and all golfers
were regarded as sissies. 1t will satisfy
the duffer and after all he is the gent
who pays the tolls Of the game.
Morrisons victory was the biggest
surprise of the Winter season, for while
the long-hitting Californian has been
a good golfer these many years, he
never displayed sufficient form to rank
him above SaraZen, Cooper, Mac Smith
and a dozen others. At Caliente he
hooked up a neat short game with his
tremendous shots through the tairWay
and left the favorites behind.
Morrison's victory now puts him
ahead of Witty Cox, Harry Cooper and
Mac Smith as the big money winner OF
the Winter, but he scarcely will hold
the margin long since he will not follow
the forthcoming Winter tournaments as
the others intend doing.
Sarazens Game Improves.
Gene Sarazen played the most con-
sistent golf shown at Aqua Caltente.
After opening with 10, Gene turned
in three rounds of even par golf and
only for Morrison's two sensational
rounds would have won the worlds
richest championship for the second
time.
Sarazen is playing beautiful golf from
tee to green and getting tremendous dis
tances with his long clubs. He Is about
due to win one of the Winter tourna-
ments, but is more intent on keeping
his game keen for the big champion
ships of the Summer.
Gene has made no announcement Of
his plans, but If he continues to play
we'll, it would not be surprising to see
him in the British open next Spring.
SaraZen never has been able to play
his best golf in Britain. but being of
q determined nature, he will keep trying.