Evening star., 1942-06-09
Championship Ca|ibeI
Is Insured Big Meet
ByAce-Packed Field
With Old, New Masters
TiItine, Event Will Be
Games Most CoIorfuI
BY GRANTLAND RICE,


Chicago's Hale America war golf
tournament won't be another Ma
tional Open, but it will carry its
share of class and will be one Of the
big spots in golf. When you look
at the qualifying list and the star
busted lineup. the Hale America
party must be rated major event.
All Of which brings us along to
Ben Hogan. Now that Sammy
Snead finally has cracked the hoo
doc by bagging national title-the
PGA-it will be doubly interesting
to see whether Hogan at last can
move into the select group.
For two years Hogan has been
applying the torch to the ancient
green from coast to coast-a straight
and tremendous hitter, a fine iron
player, good putter if not great
one and a high-class competitor
The big money winner for two years,
the Vardon Trophy leader on points.
he still finds a major title as elu-
sive as will-o'-th -wisp in a mid
night swamp.
The Limited List.
Thinking of Hgan's somewhat
melancholy case in regard to cham
pionships. we can turn to those who
have flock of major titles, includ-
ing the triple winners. For example,
how many would you think have
won the United States open, the
British Open and the PGA?
In this group you'll find Walter
Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Tommy Ar
mour and Long Jim Barnes.
Bobby Jones is the lone entry who
has won the United States Open,
the British Open and the United
States Amateur, not to mention the
British Amateur. Bobby never was
eligible for the PGA and the others
mentioned were not able to play in
either of the major amateur tour
naments.
Hagen and Jones have the two
most remarkable records. Together
they have collected something like
Is major titles.
The Double Winners.
Those good enough to win both
the National Open and the Ma
tional Amateur crowns include
Francis Ouimet. Jerry Travers,
Chick Evans. Jones, Johnny Good
man and Lawson Little. Which re-
minds us that Stanford's brawny
Little also is one of the few VINO
have won three major titles-the
United States Open. the United
States Amateur and the British
Amateur. Little never has had
crack at the PGA.
The main point is that most of
these mentioned, going back to Ha-
gen and Ouimet who first won near
ly 80 years ago, will be on hand
when the Hale America roll call is
heard soon in Chicago.
They won't be expected to out
pace such moderns as Byron Mel
son, Snead and Hogan, but they
will offer more than a few interest
Ing angles.
Old Rivals.
Suppose we take a look at rivals
from 20 years ago. In this group
you'll find Hagen, Ouilnet, Evans,
Jones, Sarazen, Armour and several
others who at least have known the
feel of the upland country.
There might even be some spe-
cial prize for those who played in
either a National Open or Amateur
championship as far back as two
decades. No other field ever again
will see so many star old timers
massed over one bunkered terrain
The 20-year" class would make up
a select group that still can play
fine golf.
Then we can turn again to the
main job of catching Nelson, Snead
or Hogan-plus Craig Woods chance
Of adding the Hale America to the
Open title he still owns and will
own for the duration.
All and all, this Hale America in
the realm of the "sanded trough"
the heelprint. the long drive and
the short putt will have more rain
bow color to offer than any golf
tournament yet placed upon the
docket.
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