1942: Golf

During the past year golf felt the effect of the war more than any other major sport. Rubber conservation, gasoline rationing, and the drafting of manpower tended to reduce the amount of play by the average duffer and by the game's top club swingers. Less than a month after Pearl Harbor the United States Golf Association stringently curtailed its competitive program, and this lead was followed by most sectional, state and district golf organizations. As a result, only one regular major United States title was contested, that being the Professional Golfers' Association Championship which was held at the Absecon Country Club, Atlantic City, N. J.

This championship was won by Sam Snead of Hot Springs, Va. on the eve of his induction into the Navy. Snead overcame a three-hole deficit and won the final match against the Army's Corporal Jimmy Turnesa, Fairview, N. Y. On the penultimate hole of their 36-hole match, Snead sank a 60-ft. chip shot for a deuce to win. Corporal Turnesa, one of the famous golfing family, was the surprise of the tourney, eliminating the two favorites, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.

Hogan, however, did win one of the year's other big events when he took the Hale America tournament, sponsored by the U.S.G.A. instead of its annual open championship. In medal play at the Ridgemoor Country Club near Chicago, Hogan turned in a four round card of 271 to defeat Jimmy Demaret of Texas by three strokes. Another Turnesa, Mike, tied Demaret for second place with 274. The proceeds of more than $20,000 were turned over to the Navy Relief Society and the United Service Organizations.

The Masters' Tournament at the Augusta Country Club, Augusta, Ga. was won by the former Open and P.G.A. titleholder, Byron Nelson. Craig Wood of the Winged Foot Club, N. Y., last year's winner of the U. S. Open and Masters' crowns, captured the only major championship contested outside the United States. Wood won the Canadian Open. Other important tourney winners were: Marvin Ward, Spokane, Wash. (All-America Amateur); Ellis Knowles, Apawamis, N. Y. (U. S. Seniors); Frank Tatum, Jr., Stanford University (National Intercollegiate); Louisiana State and Stanford (tied for National Intercollegiate team title); Byron Nelson, Toledo, O. (Tam O'Shanter Open).

There were no national women's tournaments held, but the leading lady amateurs were Betty Jameson of San Antonio, Tex., the 1941 champion; Mrs. R. M. Toggerson, Lakeville, N. Y. who won the Metropolitan title; Miss Grace Amory, Cedar Creek, N. Y., winner of the New York State championship; Miss Maureen Orcutt, White Beeches, N. J., holder of the New Jersey State title; Mrs. Estelle Lawson Page of Chapel Hill, N. C., former national champion; and Dorothy Kirby, Atlanta, Ga.

Although the U.S.G.A. cancelled its regular championships, it made many important contributions to the war effort. Besides raising funds for the Red Cross and other relief organizations, the Association provided equipment for soldiers at camps throughout the country. The P.G.A., which has abandoned its annual winter tour of the South and West Coast, has also arranged hundreds of charity exhibition matches among its members. A series of matches featuring actors Bing Crosby and Bob Hope netted a huge sum for the USO.

During the year, government regulations clamped down on the further production of steel shafts for golf clubs, and the use of crude rubber in the making of golf balls. A nationwide campaign to collect old balls for salvaging was carried out, thereby insuring the limited manufacture of reclaimed pellets. Most golf equipment manufacturers converted their machinery, in part at least, to the production of war materials.

At the end of 1942 many golf clubs were planning to close for the duration, due to loss of members, inability to maintain grounds, and higher taxation. Already some of the larger and more prominent clubs have been taken over by the Army and the Navy. Lido and St. Albans on Long Island and White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., are establishments now being used by the armed forces for the duration, and many more clubs will undoubtedly be enlisted in the coming year.