Evening star., 1953-06-02
Three From District
Among Five 70 Play in
Open for First Time
By MeFreII WhittIesey

py meETeH WnItIIeSey
The new method Of qualifying
for the National Open golf
championship found four "old
pros'' Zone Of them SD and i've
who were making the grade for
the first time taking the nine
places yesterday at Congress
sional.
The system proved. among
other things. that almost every
body who really wanted to go to
Oakmont next week for the
Open championship made it.
The only real surprise was the
failure OF Baltimore'S popular
Scot. Andy Gibson, who until
yesterday had been the leading
scorer among the .Mid-Atlantic
pros.
It was such a day for the
chalk players that the two pros
who figured to battle it out for
the gold medal for low qualifler
we're the only two to break par,
and they finished 1-2 for the
cold, rainy day. Jack Isaacs
was medalist with 74-69-143
and Charley Bassler second with
69-75-144.
PairingS Ridiculous.
Bassler and Isaacs might have
staged a better scrap for the
medal, and some of the other
scoring might have been lower
except for some more ridiculous
pairings sent by the United
States Golf Association from
New York. The USGA used to
have somebody in its Office who
knew enough to pair the good
players in sectional trials and
make it more interesting. Now
they apparently draw them out
of a hat.
WaShington-area players sur
priSed by taking three of the
places. two by amateurs. Be-
thesda Pro Harry Griesmer;
Ralph Bogart, who opened de-
fense Of his Maryland Amateur
title today, and Keith Kallio, ex-
cop. former weight-lifting cham
pion and now dog food and golf
glove salesman, all made it for
the first time.
But some of the qualifiers who
talked to Bob Gibson lost some
of their enthusiasm before the
day was over. Gibson is the
former PGA Magazine editor
who now manages PaAl Hahn,
the trick shot artist, and julius
BoroS.
Gibson spent several days last
week at Oakmont. scene of the
Open championship, and he says
the course is a back-breaker.
The fairwayS have been allowed
to grow in, and the rough Is not
tall but is so tough Boros was
using wedge to play back into
the fairway.
Two sos May Qualify.
Gibson said Lew WorSham, the
host pro, is betting that a pair
Of 80s will qualify for the cham
pionShip in the preliminary quail
flying round next Tuesday and
Wednesday. And he added that
WorSham said the Pittsburgh
Field Club, where one of the
qualifying rounds will be played,
is tougher than Oakmont. If
the home club is permitted to
rake the traps, Gibson said he
believed the scoring would hit a
new high. He painted a dismal
picture.
The qualiflers:
1-ISaacs, Langley AFB pro
who said he will admit his age
when some of the youngsters
around here can beat him. He's
mid-fortyish. Jack played in his
first Open at Baltusrol in 1896.
He made his best showing in
1949 when he tied for 23rd at
Medinah.
2-Bassler, who like Isaacs
also qualified last week for the
National PGA. Charlie is the
31-year-old Rolling Road pro
who has been to three other
Opens. Has the best chance of
the area qualif1ers to make a
name on a course like Oakmont.
T3-Gries smer, 38-year-old
Bethesda pro, making his first
trip after an easy 74-71-145.
T-3-Bogart, 33-year-oId in
surance broker. qualified for the
first time with 73-72-145. Some
doubt as to whether he'll go.
5-Walter Romans, 36-year-
old Baltimore &C. pro, qualified
for fifth time with TITS, includ-
ing horrible case of putting lit
tiers. Missed one 10 inches long
before 36th-hole gallery.
T-6 Kallio, father for the third
time Monday night, with 74-73.
First trip for the 35-year-old
amateur.
TO Eddie Johnston, 31-year-
old Baltimore accountant, max
ing first trip after 74-73.
T-6 John O'Donnell, 37-year-
old, three-time Virginia Open
champion from Norfolk. Quail
ned for fourth time with 1874.
9 John Musser. 36-year-old All
View pro. hit great second shot
on first hole Of playof to win
first trip after 74-74.
Qualihers:
Jack Isaacs. Langley 74-6e-143
Charlie BaSsler. r. Road - 69-75-14S