Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-07

14o1 I1lOkI, a 4OI 11lCI C11dIIlHlUIl
here, is a friend of Hogan's and
Toski's Chonees in Masters Discussed in
Tee to Green Column. Poee c-3
thus may be accused of preju-
dice, but his remarks carry some
weight. For all the talk of the
promising young stars developed
on the winter tour, there doesn't
appear to be anybody on hand
who can stop Hogan.
The bell rings tomorrow here
at the Augusta National Club
on the 18th renewal of this Sc
lect tournament which has far
superseded all but the National
Open championship as the most
important crown in golf.
Temperature in Low sos.
Spring may be tardy in WASH
ington, but here the temperature
is in the low 80s, the fairways
are growing so fast that mowers
are working after dark, and the
azaleas, camelias and dogwood
are in full bloom. It's a beautiful
setting, one that President Eisen-
hover again will enjoy next week.
The Augusta National never
has been at this stage of growth
for the Masters, and something
new and unwanted has been
added, poa annua in the green's,
which has slowed them up. Last
year they were saying that no.
body ever would break Hogan's
magnificent 274 total for four
rounds. Now, Hogan himself says
1t could be beaten by two shots.
But even with the course in
great shape and mild weather
predicted, it's too early to be
speaking of record scores. Jackie
Burke, a runnerup here two years
ago, is % under par for five
practice rounds, but he isn't
taking them seriously.
add at least three strokes to
each round because the pins
now are in the center of the
green's" Burke was saying. "To-
morrow they'll be tougher, and
by the week end we'll be putting
around corners.
Burke Gets . 81.
Two years ago when Burke
shot 76-67-78-69 to slip into sec
ond behind Snead, he was play
Ing some Of the poorest practice
rounds of his career. "Now I'm
getting all of the good shots out
OF my system early" he said
after yesterdays 81.
Burke and Bob Sweeny, the
soclallte and former British
Amateur champion, played Ho-
gan and Harmon yesterday. The
best shot of the day was Har-
mons 8-iron chip into the cup
for an eagle deuce on the $685.
yard seventh hole.
"Harmon's shot would have
been over the green in previous
years." Hogan said later, as an
indication as to how much softer
the green's are playing.
While Hogan apparently is
sharp and ready to become the
first repeat winner in Masters
history. Sam Snead is grumbling
and the pros are saying he ap-
parently is favoring either his
alling back or his sore hand. or
both. At this moment he does
not appear to be a serious chal-
lenger. but never discount an
unwell man in a golf tourna-
ment. Too many of them have
won.
George Fazio has been as
signed Cemetery, who is Presi-
dent Eisenhower's regular caddy
on visits to the Presidents fay
orite golf course.
Columbia'S Fred Mcleod may
be a late scratch. Mr.. Mac and a
group of Columbia members were
playing a 9-hole pitch and putt
course in Pinehurst, N. c., en-
route here and they came to a
129-yard hole. cit was a 6-iron
shot for me but didn't have one
handy and tried to press a g.
iron." Freddie said. And my
back gave way"
Hogan shot a 81 at Seminole
in Palm Beach a few weeks ago
and at the time said it was the
lowest round of his career.
Somebody asked him today
about that so he shot at White
Flint near Washington two years
ago. Ben said that about two
weeks after his round at Semi
mole it occurred to him that he
shot a so at White Flint. It had
just slipped his mind.
Walt Masterson, who quit the
Senators last year to devote
full time to his shoe company
is here. He said he hadn't had
time to miss spring training be-
cause he's had only one day of
since the last day of the base
ball season last year.
Masterson. Byron Nelson and
Lauri Niemi of the Redskins
work for the same firm.
According to Jimmy Demaret's
book, MY Partner. Ben Hogan.
Ben is A years old and not the
IL he claims. II was born in
1910 and know Hogan is a year
older than ! am" writes De.
maret. who claims he knows
Hogan better than anyone else