USGA JOllRNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: Jl.;LY, 1952 7 New Pattern for the Open

In an effort to reduce the premium on The USGA Executive Committee con- qualifiers' places in the USGA Open siders that this new form is the most Championship, the form of qualifying likely means of making more qualifiers' will be changed next year. places available to the various sections of There were 1,692 entrants for the the country and that it also will stimulate Championship recently concluded at the among potential entrants an increased Northwood Club, in Dallas, , and interest in the Championship. of these 28 were players exempt from Prior to the final decision, the views sectional qualifying by reason of previous of various individuals and groups, partic- performances. As a result, 1,664 players ularly former Champions and officers of had to compete for 134 places in the the PGA, were requested, and the re- Championship proper, and only one action was generally favorable. player of every twelve could qualify. The new form is for a trial in 1953 This ratio is considered unduly re- and is not necessarily permanent. The strictive. real test will come in the playing. Therefore, next year, after the usual The 1954 Open Championship is sched- 36-hole sectional qualifying rounds, 300 uled for the , Spring- players will be qualified, instead of field, N. J. Baltusrol has two courses 162. The present exemptions from sec- which could be used if the 1953 trial is tional qualifying will be continued; that a success. is, former Open Champions, the 1952 Amateur, PGA, British Open and British Amateur Champions and the 20 low The Ills of Golf scorers and those tied for twentieth place Oh, the Ills of Golf in the 1952 Open. Are the Bills of Golf, All of these 300 players, except the And that's where the trouble lies. We've invented so much that the costs of the defending Champion, , will game play another 36-hole Championship quali- Are up to the blessed skies. fying competition of one round each at Fourteen little magic wands the and the Pitts- At forty quid to start, burgh Field Club, on Tuesday and Wed. A tenner for a little bag, nesday, June 9 and 10, the two days im- Then one for a caddie-cart. mediately preceding the Championship Cannot the Powers who rule this game proper. Pity our penurious flurry, Out of this Championship qualifying Send manna from heaven, And cut down to seven, competition, 149 players, plus the defend- The numbers of clubs we may carry? ing Champion, will qualify for the Cham- pionship proper at the Oakmont Country G"ne in a flash Are our worries of cash, Club, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Lesser the load on our backs; T'me II, 12 and 13. Gone are ail caddies and numerous trolleys, The Championship proper will be con- Which cut up the greens with their tracks. lcted as in recent years, with one For the Ills of Golf ound each on Thursday and Friday and, Are the Bills of Golf, or the 50 low scorers and those tied for And nothing will turn this to fiction, 50th place, two rounds on Saturday. Till the Powers that be Take pity on we Prize money for professionals will be And bring in the seven-club restriction. increased from approximately $15,000 to COL. C. P. S. DENHOLM-YOUNG approximately $20,000. GOLF ILLUSTRATED, MAftCH 6, 1952