Evening star., 1948-04-27
Gibson Threat in PGA
Match Play, Harper
Saws Of MedaIist


born pro from Country Club Of
Maryland, who has been making life
miserable for Washington golf tutors
ever since he won the Maryland
Open title almost . decade ago,
could bs . big-name golfer If he
had . little more distance, In the
opinion Of Chandler Harper.
Gibson gave q field Of "a Middle
Atlantic pros . seven-shot lacing In
the sectional qualifying rounds for
the National PGA championship
yesterday at Manor Club with his
rounds Of 70-68-138, 2 under par.
Harper, who seemingly can win
berths to the National tournaments
from this section merely by throw
ing his hat on the tee. was second
with 145. Harold Oatman, pudgy
Norfolk pro, captured the third spot
with LAG after q playof with his
buddy, John ODonnell, also q Nor
folk pro.
Harper was Gibson's playing part
ner in the 36-hole test, but it was
not the first time they have played
as partners or opponents. Andy has
q great short game" Harper said.
Hes terrific from around the edge
Of the green and plays his iron shots
well, but he lacks the distance of
the tee Of the big boys"
Harper Burns Up Back Nine.
It was Harper's opinion that Glib
son was the type player who could
60 to the PGA and knock of any
player in the tournament in one Of
the match play rounds. It was the
fifth time Andy has made the grade
to the pros championship.
But while Gibson was running
away with medal honors as most of
the pros went on q high-scoring
binge, Harper played round the
Manor members never will forget.
Chandler was passenger on the
steamer District Of Columbia that
was seven hours late arriving in
Washington Sunday and thus had
no practice round. He started
4-over-par for three holes, birdied
the fourth, but didn't get his first
par until the eighth hole. When
the Portsmouth, Va, pro. heavy
favorite to lead the field. turned in
Il, 1t appeared he would have to
pass up the championship.
But the semibald pro from the
Glensheallah Club, who made the
winter tour and finished 18th in the
money list. proceeded to take the
back nine apart. He birdied all but
the 18th. 18th and 17th holes for a
remarkable 20 and 10, taking IL
shots of his first-nine score.
On the holes where he missed
brides, Chandler hit the cup with
two puts and came within an inch
of chipping into the cup on the 18th.
It is doubtful II any golfer ever
came closer to making nine straight
brides.
First Trip for Oatman.
Harper has had lower nine-hole
scores. He played his home course
and the Pinehurst No. first nine
in % each and in the Portsmouth
Open in 1885 over his home layout
scored a 32-29-61.
1t will be the first trip to the PGA
for Oatman, who put his heart and
soul into the qualifying round as
he used to caddie over the Norwood
Hills course in st. Louis, where the
championship will be- played.
O'Donnell outplayed him on each
Of the three extra holes. but Oat-
man rammed in puts OF 10, 8 and
feet to finally win out.
| 1t was a dismal day for the Dis
trict pros who were led by Max
Elbin of Burning Tree with rounds
Of 79 and rs for 154.
Sam Snead, also listed as q
middle Atlantic qualifier. is an
automatic qualifier as a former
champion. Lew Worsham Of Wash
ington and Pittsburgh is an auto
matte qualifier from the Pennsyl-
vania section as the present Ma
tional Open champion.
Harper, Gibson and Oatman will
compete in the National Capital
Open that starts Thursday at
Prince Georges.
The card Of Harper's record nine:
In, par--- 434 S 4 3 +35
Harper 80 8 4 "a 443 80
| M. w. w.