The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-11
Chick Harbert Cashes In
 On Rich Golf Inheritance
Father a Pro, He Gets Start At 3k Years
By WENDELL A. FOLTZ Nea SneciaI C0rresnOndent

Battle Creek, Aug. 1O-Chick Harbert has been playing golf ever since he could hold a club n his hands. His father, E. w. Harbert, is golf professional. At the age of 3 1-2, Chick (baptized Melvin started swinging a cut-down grip that gave him more distance.
 He played that way for three years until he was changed over to corrected grip by his father. His grip still is somewhat unortho- dox, a result of his cross-handed days.
 But his game is not. Today, 27-year-old Chick Harbert. is the sensation of the season and picked as the coming star of the game.
 Harbert rose to prominence in 1897 when he won the Michigan Open with a 268 total for 72 holes, an amateur record. He went on to win the International Amateur and Trans Mississippi in 1889, was a quarter -finalist in the National Amateur.
 He turned professional in April, 194O, and took over his duties at the Battle Creek Country Club, a position his father had held many years before him.
 JOINS PROS ON THE
 194O WINTER SWING
 Harbert made the winter tour in 1940. He showed promise by placing second in the St. Peters burg Open and going to the quar- ter-finals of the National Match Play tournament, where he was eliminated by Harry Cooper.
 He joined the winter gypsies again in 1941, resolved to get into the money ranks. He won his first prize at the Harlingen, Tex, Open-$125, but it was start.
 The next stop was Beaumont and HarEert blazed home with a 276 total for 5000 first money.
 When the junket hit California. Harbert finished in the money in seven straight tournaments.
 They trekkedl back into Texas, and the Battle Creek slugger was at the peak of his game. He tied Ben Hogan for the Texas Open title, won the playoff and pocket ed another 5000.
 A throat ailment cut him down toward the end of the season and he won no more championships. He competed in the Miami Four Ball and was invited to play in the Masters.
 Although technically ineligible on his professional standing, he was picked to play in the P.G.A. on his outstanding performances during the year. He finished 10th.
 Harbert was paired with Hor- ton Smith at the Inverness Invita- tional at Toledo and finished sev- enth. He played on Walter Hagen's Challengers against the Ryder Cup team.
 66 GIVES HIM ST. PAUL TITLE
 Agter finishing 10th in the Tam O'Shanter Open, Chick debated about entering the St. Paul Open. He decided to go, tied Dutch Har- rison at 28O and fired a 66 in the playoff, six under par, to bank another 5000.
 That brought his total earnings for the year up to almost $6000- sixth among the money winners.
 A prodigious driver, Harbert stands 5-feett. 11-inches and weighs ITO pounds. He usually pokes from 250 to 300 yards of the tee. He won a driving contest on the winter swing with 281- yard average.
 His short game used to be weak, but he has improved it with lot of practice sweat If he ever gets his putting touch. he should be the outstanding golfer of this age. WON'T TALK TO WIFE WHILE PLAYING GOLF
 Chick is great gallery pleaser. At the end of match with Ben Hogan in the Hagen-Hyder Cup competition in Detroit, he missed a putt that would have given him the match. Downhearted? Per- haps, but he let whoop and turned a back somersault to show his chagrin.
 Chick has been married six years to childhood sweetheart. Peg Harbert is his best rooter, trails him around the course, fol- lowed him at St. Paul in an Army jeep.
 Although he'll talk to any one else, Harbert refuses to converse with the wife while he is playing.
 That, of course, gave her little opportunity to be back seat