The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-28
Ex-CHAMpS FAIL TO WIN PLACES IN 1S4O OPEN
Hogan, Hottest" Man in Golf, Also Misses Pre-.
 Tourney Test
By HARR FERGUSON United Press Sports Edlt0r)


 New York, May 2s--(UP)-Four former open champions-men who once were rated as the top golfers of the worid--wili be on the sideiines when the firing starts in the Na- tional Open golf championship at Cleveland on June 6.
 They lost out yesterday when more than HOO persons went out across courses In all parts of the country competing for the i3o places avail- able this year. The ones who failed to shoot well enough to qualify for the open were Freddie Mcleod, Chick Evans, Willie MacFarlane and Billy Burke.
 Add to those victims of the whims of golf the name of Ben Hogan, tho pint-size pro from Texas who was one of the hottest" guys along the winter circuit this year. Hogan, one of 100 men trying for the i7 places open in the New York city disrtict. finished 18th. It is probable, how- ever, that he will get to play at Cleveland, for Frank strafaci, an amateur who finished i7th, indicated he might withdraw to give Hogan Q shot ct the biggest prize in golf.
 Six other former open champions compelled to 90 through the quail flying grind in various parts of the country came through with scores low enough Co get them in-Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Johnny Far rell, Johnny Goodman, Sam Parks and Tony Manero.
 Out on the Pacific coast one of the men who qualified for play at Cleve- land was the once mysterious John Montague. once known asIa man who could shoot fair round of golf with c shovel rake and baseball bat, he will go after the open cham. pionship with orthodox golf clubs.
 There was drama in the Chicago district where Jock Hutchison, the grand old man of golf. tried to qual. fly and failed. But his son, Jock, Jr., shot well enough to get . place. And ct Philadelphia, Joo Kirkwood, the great trick shot expert. missed the qualifying list. Joe Kirkwood, Jr., tried to get on to the list from the Birmingham, Alap section, kut he also failed.
 The days supreme adventure came to an obscure man named Ed- die Kirk. playing at Detroit. He got a hole in one on the ninth, and that ace enabled him to finish with i4e for 3e holes---just enough to qualify. Here is how the qualifying was done:
 First, the 30 with the best scores at the open at Philadelphia last year were entreed automatically and did not have to contest for places yes- terday. They were: Byron Nelson, 1889 open champion; Denny shute, Craig Wood, Bud Ward, Sam Snead, Johnny Bulla, Ralph duidahl, Dick Metz, Paul Runyan, Jug McSpaden, Ky Faffoon, Ed Dudley, Henry Picard, Harry Cooper, Horton Smith, Sam Byrd, clayton Heather, Wil- ford Wehrle, Olin Dutra, John Rogers, Jimmy Hines, Tommy Ar. mour, Johnny Revolta, Jim Dem. arest, Dutch Harrison, Matt Kowal, Jim Foulis, Bobby Cruickshank, Vic ohezzi and Felix serafin.
 Second, Waldo Crowder was quali- fled automatically because he is the professional at the Canterbury Coun- try club, Cleveland, where the open will be playe.
 The rest Of the golfers had to go out and fight for their places. Each section of the country was allotted c certain number of places (New ork city was given i7 places, for in- stance), and anybody could shoot for the i7 places. The i7 low scores won the right to go to Cleveland. In event of ties, the persons in- volved kept shooting until the tic