The Bismarck tribune., 1935-03-30
FOUR-WAY
TITL|ST RETRIEYES
0LDPUY'T|NC touch
Harold McSpaden and Henry
Picard Figured to Fur.
nish Fireworks
STARS OF WINTER EVENTS
72-hoIe Medal Score Meet Will
Be Played Over Jones'
Own Course
BY ART KRENZ
NEA Service Golf Writer

The nations leading golf pros and
amateurs are approaching Augusta.
Ga, with no little fear and trembling.
On the eve of the Masters Tourna-
ment to be held over Bobby Jones'
course, April 4-7, q noticeable attack
of jitters has assailed the club
swingers.
I noticed this state Of affairs on q
recent tour OF Florida. Seeking the
reason, I interviewed several out
standing pros, and the general opin-
ion seemed to be that Emperor Jones
had rediscovered his putting touch.
That alone IS sufficient reason for
American golfers to doubt their
ability to defeat Jones again In his
own tournament. Last year one OF
their number, Horton Smith. won the
honors, with Craig Wood. Paul Run
yam. and Billy Burke close behind
him.
But the Jones who scored . grand
slam in 1880 was off his putting. The
duplicate Of Calamity Jane" the old
club that took him to the top rung
Of the game, was Oft her stride, and
he lost no fewer than 10 strokes on
the green. That was calamity for
Bobby!
Disconcerting reports are coming
out Of the south in regard to Bobby's
improved short game and putting.
While In Florida, we read q statement
Bobby was supposed to have made
after practice round. It was to the
effect that the putting touch he had
missed every since his victories in the
British and American Opens and
Amateurs in 1880 had returned, and
that he was very much on his game.
Dudley Issues Warning
Big Ed Dudley, Augusta pro who
witnessed Jones' practice round Of So,
says it was one Of the greatest 18-hole
performances he ever had witnessed
Jones score.
So you can count upon the entrants
In this years Augusta classic spend
ing q lot Of overtime putting on the
practice green's.
While the greatest veteran shot
makers in the game will take part in
the tournament, it Is likely that one
Of two young professionals will fur
nish the fireworks.
These two youngsters are Harold
McSpaden, the Kansas City, Kan,
pro who burned up the winter golf
season on the west coast, and Henry
Picard, Hershey, Pa, pro who has
been keeping the veterans in the
breadlines during the recent Florida
season.
Picard, classed by Walter Hagen as
the outstanding prospect in the game
today. won the Aqua Caliente Open,
International Four-Ball matches
teamed with Johnny Revolta, and
followed with victory in the $4,000
Charleston Open.
Has the Poise Il Takes
The winter season has convinced
him that he is OF top-flight caliber,
and cured him of an inferioriyt COM
plex which would have no place In
Augusta, where the elite of golfing
would tend to fluster q youngster
with backward ways.
Henry plays a sound all.around
game. combining husky drive with
. good approach and putting game,
and has more than his share Of the
luck.
While Jones has been rated All
8 to favorite by members of the
Augusta National Club. Pickard Is a
long shot. his past performance be-
ing disregarded in view of such talent
as Sarazan, Runyan, Hagen. Dutra,
Little, Laffoon. Armour, Wood, and
others taking part.
Over u holes Of medal play, how
ever. the kid will be right at home.
He expressed confidence to me In q
little talk at Miami when he de-
clared, This Is my year."
Keep your eye on Jones at Augusta.
April At, but watch for dark horse
named Henry Picard flogging up
from the rear Of the pack, too.