Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-07
Burneft's Grim Golf
Earns N. A. Crown :
Over Johnston, 5-4
By MerrelI WhittIesey

Yes, Volney Burnett is the new
Middle Atlantic amateur golf cham
pion. The gallery at Chevy Chase
couldn't believe it, the hundreds of
persons who called the club to learn
the result gave out with an aston
ished Who, Burnett?" and those
who read it in the newspaper
thought it was typographical error
It's about time the ex-fireman gets
. little credit.
The pattern of Burnett's smart
triumph in the 43d competition for
the sectional golf title is COMPARE
BILE to Assaults racing career. AS
sault had to win the Derby, Freak
ness and Belmont before the fans
were convinced. Burnett had to
wade through four of the six best
amateur golfers in this area, an I'M
derdog in each match before he
finally was proclaimed champion.
Here's partial list of Burnett's
accomplishments in the Middle At
laptic from the second nine of his
qualifying round to the 18th hole of
the finals, where he dumped Balti-
more's Eddie Johnston, 5 and 4.
Rough Road Through Tourney.
(A)-Played four matches in two
days and never was down.
(B)-Defeated Ralph Bogart,
Spencer Overton, Bobby Brownell
and Johnston in consecutive matches,
one of the toughest assignments
in the history of the tournament.
(C)-After a dismal, outgoing II
In the qualifying round, he played
the next IA holes over the $685.
yard, par-69 course in over pal,
with nothing more than a 6-inch
putt conceded.
D)-Played IS holes in match
play without 3-putt green.
Burnett didn't have much trouble
with Johnston in the title round.
Volney pared 10 of IA holes, hitting
the first eight green's in methodi-
cal round of golf. Johnston was in
side of Burnett on nine of the IA
holes in their approach shots to the
green, but Baltimore Eddie couldn't
follow his. advantages. His putting
was atrociouS. Johnston lost two
holes by stymies, but one of them
was his own fault. On three puts
of feet or less, Johnston's ball
made complete circle of the cup
before staying out. Meanwhile,
Burnett was giving cagey exhibit
ton of control putting.
Match With Brownell Keen.
Burnett's' morning match against
tournamentfavorite Bobby Brownell
of Manor Club was the best of the
comparatively young season. Vol
neys winning margin was stymie
on the 18th hole. All even at the
time, Brownell was faced with an
almost impossible shot when Bur-
nett's 15-foot putt stopped about 7
inches to the right of the cup and
directly in Brownell's line. The
latter was about feet away Bobby
attempted to cut the ball into the
hole, but it slipped by and they
halved the 18th in par As. Burnett
posted a IL for the round.
The Tournament Committee pulled
a boner, incidentally, in ordering
stymies played along with winter
rules. They don't mix.
The victory was the first in the
Middle Atlantic championship for
the 38-year-old Indian Spring shot
maker, a two-time Maryland State
champion and winner of the Chevy
Chase, KenWood and Baltimore in
vitation tournaments, among others
Burnetts victory over Brownell
avenged a defeat suffered in the
Kenwood finals two weeks ago. In
three tournaments this year, Bur-
nett has one victory (Mid-Atlantic)
and two defeats (Kenwood and
Maryland four balD in three ap-
pearances in finals.
Voigt Falters at Finish.
Most of the Burnett Johnston
gallery stuck around to watch the
final of the championship flight
consolation, only to be disappointed
when George Voigt's fast finish
fell one hole snort of catching Otto
Greiner. Dormie three, Voigt won
is and II and had an opportunity
to win the 18th, but fell short on
an approach.
The second flight, as usual, was
a hot spot. Buddy Sharkey was l
over par for the day in winning his
two matches.
Other results:
Second fight-Buddy Sharkey. Indian
Springs defeated H; Q; De Fries; G; c.
Chevy Chase, defeated AL Birmingham
Prince Georges, and g.
Third night--John Holzberg, Washing
ton. defeated J. S. ,Brookes. Burning Tree,