Evening star., 1948-04-29

The 1948 National Open champion
will tour the Prince Georges course
at 2:36 today and 11:27 tomorrow
morning in the threesome of Bobby
Locke, Cary Middlecoff and Jim
Ferrier-in the opinion Of a member
of the threesome-Bobby Locke.
And In case you're thinking that
the pride of South Africa has a
swelled head, he's not talking about
himself at all, but about DR.. Middle
coff, graduate dentist and a post
graduate golfer.
Locke is enthused about his part
ner in the current $12,500 National
Capital Open. Hes great. has all
the shots, the most improved player
I've watched on my two visits to
America" Locke said. Watch that
boy 60 in the Open"
It's highly possible that Middlecoff
will 60 somewhere in the touring
pros visit to Washington, too, as
the Memphis SHOEMAKER finished
first or second in three of the last
five events on the winter tour. He
won the Miami Four-Ball with
Ferrier, was runnerup to Chick
Harbert at Charlotte and to Claude
Harmon in the Masters.
Slow Players Start Late.
For a young ex-amateur who
turned pro in the Jacksonville Open
in 1947, Middlecoff is doing pretty
well. He is chasing only Lloyd
Mangrum and Locke in the money
winning list for 1948.
Incidentally, Locke, Middleton
and Ferrier follow all but six players
of the tee today. In bit of stra-
tegic grouping, three of the slowest
players in the game were saved until
third from last. It's about a tie
as to whether Middleton or Ferrier
takes more time over a shot, but
Locke claims he Is not in the slow
playing class.
Il can play round OF golf in
three hours" Locke said, but
learned by playing in American
tournaments that it takes four hours
a round, so why hurry, particularly
If it Is only 18 holes day? I might
take a little time between Shots"
he said. "but, let me tell you, once
I step up to the ball, I hit it."
Incidentally, Locke was called
down by the USGA for slow playing
in the Masters tournament, but after
he proved his twosome kept up with
the field each round, he suggested
the USGA apologize publicly. 1t did.
Clinic Set for Saturday.
NOTES-A bargain bill will be
offered fans tomorrow when the
pros put on the clinic, which was
postponed yesterday, after play
ing their tournament rounds
the affair will get underway at 5
pm. and will embrace every shot
in the book with the pros demon
strating their particular best
-. one of the clinics features will
be a driving contest, with the
winner receiving a wrist watch.
Joe Kirkwood's trick shot
show, originally scheduled tomor-
row, has been rescheduled for
Sunday at pm.
The tent on the first tee loaned
for the public address announcer
was furnished by an undertaken.
They had better move it to the 18th
green, where there will be lot of
dead hopes. >. Jimmy Demaret and
Lew Worsham staged driving con-
test, hitting from one leg. Demaret,
VINO uses more arms and hands than
body in hitting a shot, was an easy
winner. Lloyd Mangrum took dim
view Of the practice tee tomfoolery
and cautioned both about straining
their backs.
Frank Stranahan, who claims
he tries desperately to get along
with everybody, got in bad with
club officials before play started.
He parked his -block-long
car smack in front of the main
entrance to the club, between
two no-parking signs.
Lloyd Mangrum is one of the few
players to wear a full-fingered glove
on his left hand. Charley Price,
the washington amateur golfer who
IS q reporter for Golf World, is home
for the first time since he picked
up the winter tour last December.
Prince Georges, through the Eisele
brothers, has bid for the PGA
championship for 1850. II Rich
nond gets it next year, however,
wouldn't stand a chance
for two or three years after the
Richmond show. South African