Evening star., 1938-09-10
BRITISH TRIUMPH
BU0YSATLANTAN
Will Need Luck to Win at
0akmont, Says Emperor,
Refusing Prophesy.
BY GRANTLAND RICE.


BY GRANTLAND RICE.
NEW YORK, Sept. 10.-1n looking
over the starting field at Oakmont
Monday. Robert T. Jones. jr, the
eminent grand slammer Of 1880, Is
willing to 60 on record to this effect
that his fellow townsman, Charlie
Yates, is one Of the most improved
golfers he ever has seen.
Charlie always has been a fine
amateur player" Bob said. "but vim
ming the British title a few months
ago has given him a big boost. It has
given him more confidence, an i'm
portant asset. His swing Is sounder
and his judgment Is keener
I'm not picking any one to win
this wild scramble where there will
be four 18-hole matches in the road.
still have nightmares when I think
about the 1s-holers I barely got away
with. But Yates will be hard man
to beat in any single round. He easily
may catch some opponent who Is ex-
ira hot at a certain spot, but in addi-
ton to possessing a fine. sound swing,
Charlie is one Of the top competitors
He doesn't get discouraged easily, and
this is an important factor when the
tide seems to be running the wrong
way
His younger brother Dan is also
a good golfer, who needs only 4 little
more tournament experience. Charlie
at this time has had all the experience
any one needs He has been accus-
toned to tough breaks. He has the
length and control that Oakmont de-
mands. and he can putt"
Would Join Jones, Little.
Only Bob Jones and Lawson Little
have held both United States and
British amateur titles the same year
The Atlanta star has his chance to
join this highly limited group over
the long and heavily bunkered Oak
mont test, where class will have q
better chance to prove its place.
There will be 64 survivors Tuesday
night and this list should include
Goodman. Fischer, Yates. Strafaci,
BilloWs, Ward, Givan, Somerville,
Kelly, Turnesa and others Just about
as dangerous.
lot depends upon the result of the
draw -Four tough 1S-hole matches
IN two days can wreck almost any one.
The luck Of the draw can play a big
part in these championships.
I recall the time Yates was smoking
hot at Brookline, only to go out in
35 and stumble into Willie Turnesa's 5
81. These are the poisoned darts
that flll the air in almost every
championship.
There will be strong Northwest
entry on hand at Oakmont in Bud
Ward, Harry Givan and Scotty Camp
bell, who are good enough to travel
long way And you can add Jack
Westland. Ward and Givan are among
the longest hitters in the field and
both are straight. This is a big help
at Oakmont. If Scotty Campbell is
near his peak form he can be another
ball OF fire in which his iron play
will be a factor.
How does the field west Of the Mis-
slsslppl compare with the list from
the eastern side, running north and
south? There isn't much margin
either way. The West has Goodman.
Ward, Givan, Kelly, Campbell, Savage,
Westland, Reynolds Smith. The East
has Yates, Strafaci, Billows, Fischer,
Haas--all among the leading nomi-
nations.
About Ellsworth Vines.
The lean, tall figure Of Ellsworth
Vines will attract good gallery as
long as the tennis star remains afioat.
once amateur, now professional
tennis champion, Vines told me four
years ago that he intended to work
his head of to become a good golfer.
In these few years he has brought
his game from around 80 down into
the low 7os and occasionally the high
Cos.
Both Harry Cooper and Leo Diegel
said last winter that Vines had un-
usual possibilities with a few correc-
tions, especially in his footwork. He
is long off the tee and sound around
the greens with an ideal, unruffled
temperament. I've never seen him
upset to any extent over poor shot.
AS this is his first championship
experiment, he may have 4 hard time
qualifying against 50 many seasoned
campaigners-especially over the Oak
mont test. But you can gamble he
will be out there working every square
foot Of the way.
Norman Brookes. the Australian
veteran, was first-class golfer, but
Vines is the best of the tennis bunch
When 1t comes to low scoring on his
better days.
Copyright 1898, by the North American
Newspaper Alliance, Inc.)