Evening star., 1943-07-23
Links Extravaganza,
Packed With Thrills,
Lures Wild Thronq
BY CHARLES DUNKLEY,
Associated Press sports Writer.

CHICAGO, July 23.-The super
duper golfing triple-header at Tam
OShanter is on the way to setting
fabulous records.
The spectacle Is attracting the
biggest assemblage of spectators in
the history of the ancient Scottish
game and also figures to result in
the greatest War stamp selling drive
credited to any spoyt.
To date more than 100000 in War
bonds have been sold, with three
more days to go. The goal is ST, ,00O,-
600 in bonds and 100000 in War
stamps.
Admission to this amazing carnival
is ST or more in War stamps-which
the purchaser retains. The total at
tendance may reach $4,000 to 10O,-
900.
This circus-like event is golf on a
stupendous scale. 1t is three tourna-
ments in one, lasting full week,
where the best amateurs, profess
sional and women players now avail
able can be seen at one and the
same time, and on the same course,
in competition for $4,000 in cash
and bonds.
Everything Is All-American.
Thrown in for good measure Is
the worlds heavyweight boxing
champion, Sergt. Joe Louis, playing
as legitimate entrant and not as
sideshoW attraction. Everything
is ail-American-the All-American
Open, Amateur and Women's.
The sale of bonds and stamps Is
the paramount objective. Even the
highways leading to the club are
blocked off and girls halt motorists
to make them invest.
The circus methods Of promotion
are by George S. May, business
executive, president and majority
stockholder of the club, which has
private membership.
The extravaganza opens golf-once
considered very dignifled sport for
dignified people-to the masses The
course is sWarming with shirt
sleeved thousands watching in fas-
cination the 462 swingers from 81
States. One day at last years tour
nament record breaking crowd of
80 ,159 paid ST apiece to enter. That
mark, no doubt, will be smashed
twice, tomorrow and Sunday.
Teeming With Excitement.
Less than 80 per cent are true
golf fans. The rest are pop-eyed
common guys and gals looking for
excitement and a peak az Patty
Berg, Betty Hicks, Byron Nelson,
Wilford Wehrle. Ralph Guldahl.
Walter Hagen and the other big
shots of the links.
The 24-acre layout Is teeming with
excitement. At least 500 spectators
always are parked around the first
tee. Another five or six hundred
jam the eighteenth green to watch
the finish. Other hundreds follow
the matches which are sent off at
6-mlnute intervals, starting at 7
am. They play until the shadows
of dusk engulf the place.
There are 40 policemen in attend
ance to keep the fans in line. Ted
Canty, a veteran sports announcer,
presides at the public address system
at the first tee to announce the
players and make snappy comment.
The tournament committee rec
ognizes no race distinction. There
were % Negroes in the original
| field.
Tented concession stands dot the
area back of the clubhouse. WACS,
WAVES and SPARS sit at tables
under the trees on recruiting duty.
An ambulance Is parked close by
for emergencies. Occasionally girls
in bathing suits stroll by from the
clubs swimming pool which is To-
Gated on knoll just back of the
| first tee.
It's combination of Coney Is
land, the Atlantic City boardwalk
and the Worlds Fair rolled into one.
| This is Tam O. Shanter.