The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-05-30
1 N.E.A. Golf Star | MarOOnS Democrat
 OakmOnt Course
BY ART KRENZ NEA Service Golf Writer

xltISpurSn, May zS--l plLy the poor golfers who must trudge over the Oakmont golf course dur ing the National Open to be played there June 6-8. I seriously doubt whether their martyrdom to the little white sphere is worthy of the terrors of the toughest golf course
 in the world.
 know the rigors of playing the championship course for, in an unguarded moment, I recently asked Chet Smith, sports editor
 of the Pittsburgh Press, to be my guide on tour of Oakmont. From information I had received, didn't want to fall victim to a savage band of Arabs that were reported to be lurking among the sand dunes o fthe courses traps. My first glimpse of the course convinced me that here must be the place where caravan golf orig mated, and at one time I thought I saw 8 caravan crossing one of the traps = but it was just a mirage.
 So large are tie pits on this layout that on entering. one, the average golfer feels like a mem
 Der of the Foreign Legion start ing off on trek into the Sahara.
 The greens committee eve n has improved the desert setting by fur | rowing the sand traps.
 Newspapermen are dead-game guys. They were correspondents in the front line trenches in
 France. They have risked life and limb, taken a punch on the chin from heavyweight champions to get story-and it was with
 that same do or die attitude of
 fellow craftsmen that Chet and l started off.
 Water! There Was None! My editor wished me good
 time as I left the office for my
 round over Oakmont. There was
 a touch of irony in his voice. 41oO AlG 5CSA AAy SehA oo
 stumbled off the eighteenth green,
 my days as a golf expert would
 have been over. probably now
 would be one of the unemployed, or a member of some eco
 camp; or better yet, might have joined the navy for my desire to see water again, after exploring Oakmont's POP traps, was as great as a derelict's lost in a desert. The course is without water ex-
 cept that piped to wet its beauti- full fairways. slowing them up and
 making 1t tougher for the boys. I used to think I was a pretty fair golfer, and even was free in
 handing out handicaps of from 22 to 25 strokes to a 100-shooter. But now I find am only one of 5,000,000 that still are playing
 miniature golf, while the other 200 or so play Oakmont. Reaching the course at noon,
 we walked over to a large expanse
 of velvety grass. took my butter, expecting to get the feel of the greens. As I was looking for a
 cup, a voice boomed out, Tee up, we're giving you the honors." In such a fine condition is Oak mont that what I thought was the
 practice putting green turned out to be the first tee.
 The first hole was played well, one over par. got a par on the second, and a par on the third
 who said Oakmont was tough? But that fourth! I ran out of
 balls before I got through, and sent the caddy back for another dozen. (Note to Ed: Please okeh this item in my expense account, as Sarazen calls this one of the toughest holes on the course, and even an expert can get into trou- ble at time.)
 We started out as a foursome, but lost amember on the fifth. Latest reports are that he has taken a lease on the trap to the
 right of the green, pitched a tent there, and has started something new in endurance contests.
 This Expert to WATCH Open
 AL the nlntn we were dAi Dul washed up. sand was in our eyes, ears, shoes, and the entire course was getting in my hair. I was ready to quit if 1t hadn't been for the jibes from my fair-weather fel- lowmen.
 But l trudged on and recahed the twelfth-how, I don't know to this day. On this hole, par of 620 yards. a well-hit tee shot reached the front of the reen. But when finally decided 1t would be easier to carry the ball. five foursomes had gone through us.
 After putting out on IA. my fel- low-sufferers still refused to lis- ten to my pleas. We were but \ few steps from the clubhouse. They were determined to finish. The next four holes were played in-agony.
 I must be getting old. My arms are sore, my back aches, and