Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-02
TEE TO GREEN
By MERRELL WHITTLEsEY
Just Picture q Penthouse

FOR THE THREE YEARS that there has been an ardent
golfer White House. the annual at the
Augusta Masters is that President Eisenhower
win be there for the final days play.
1t ties with the Presidents spring visit to Augusta,
usually timed to start day two after the Masters No
body much attention to the because who could
visualize the Secret Service turning the President loose in
mob Of 1900 to 10000 peope2
For the it's highly unlikely that President
Eisenhower assuming for the moment that he will be
President in 1885, would be permitted to drive the first ball.
present the prizes, Congressional Country Club is
awarded the National Open championship two years from
next June.
But Congressional has gimmick for entcng the Pt<s-
dent to his favore sport should the
Eisenhower and the hit in parlay
It's the penthouse atop the club from which the Pres
dent could most of the action and still have the utmost
safety and privacy The spacousfor penthoue-and COM
fortably furnished apartment provides view Of most Of
the holes which the Open championship would be
played And it's less than IS miles from the White House
WITH CONGRESSIONAL seriously bidding for the SO
Open is not arfetched that the United
States Golf Association might be among those awaiting
the Presidents decision second term he yes,
ut could be whoppng selling point for Congressional
But that's all theory Congressional OF course would be
greatly honored by the Presidents presence but primarily
the club bidding the greatest tournament in the
because Of the honor and prestige brings to the club and
Everybody should be behind us" Pro Witty Cox said
yesterday vic leaders, golf associations State executives
Congressman the press, everybody"
H. 10y Anderson, Congressionals president and vern
Johnson the golf committee chairman, handling the
formal bidding but Cox the salesman He's played in
many Opens almost two of them and long resented
the thought that the Masters PGA British Open
other tournament could hold leaf to the ivy that surrounds
the United States Open championship.
1T WOULD BE a heartless UsGA onicial who would
assign the Open to any other golf after being
exposed to Coxs spiel.
paints picture Of challenging nine holes Of velvet fair
carpet-like green's huge tees and holes requiring
exacting shotmaking all ready by midsummer Of 49, He
points out the potential Of the front nne where the UsGA
would require changes to tougher 1t up
"Parking-we park tens Of thousands OF cars, "
Witty points out "And getawaywe have four River road
Bradley lane Persmmon Tree road and through Potomac
Vantage ponts-wed have more vantage points than
club that's held the Open Clubhouse facilities
name them and we have them including over 100 rooms
Experience? The Intercollegiate the UsGA junior and
the World Series of golf we're played here"
How about the financial angler" Cox asked.
well, understand the Open is worth little some
thing but we're not particularly interested In that angle
Cox said although imagine would accept any change
that's left over"
THE CHANGE LEFT in the past few years has
been rather bulky Entry fees admissions program sales and
advertising and concessions for the 1854 Open championship
at Baltusro in New Jersey topped $350O0 plus
100000 for eevon rights The clubs share reported
to be about $4 000 The USGAs share exactly $173
The National Open was held here last and the only
time in late July of 1921. Columbia Country Club host
and it has been said put the best show OF any up
that time Long Jim Barnes the winner by nine shots
President Harding there for the final round and
Vice President Coolidge spectator at least days.
Harding who they accompanied by only body
guard, presented the trophy to Barnes.
The late Walter McCallum, writing in The Star of
July g. 1921 said 1.-THE President much interested
In the play the most ardent gaerye hung every
putt with tense air." And In presenting the trophy he
told the American people they should emulate the
dence and GOODNESS displayed by Mr. Barnes his victory