Stellar Talent Entered
There was a big field of stellar tal
ent entered for that national open. Mac
Donald Smith, after his remarkable
showing in the metropolitan open at
Scafsdale, where he had made a record
of 278 for tournament play over the
72-hole route, was a favorite to win the
title, and another important contender
was Johnny McDermott, who was, un
fortunately, soon to take part in his
last tournament. McDermott made a
gallant stand in this event, but his
health, which had never been good, be
gan to affect his playing, and shortly
after that he dropped out of the game
entirely. He was a grand little golfer
who came to the front like a flash in
1910, tied in yne championship, won the
next two, and then faded away as
quickly as he had risen to fame.
Another star who was regarded as
almost certain to land a place among
the first three was Francis Ouimet, then
title holder, and considered a danger
ous contender in any championship.
Francis failed to live up to his repu
tation at Midlothian, although he won
the amateur title a short time after
ward.
A Title on the Cup's Him
The tournament was held in August.
I had practiced early and late and im
proved my game considerably over the
former year. I had learned to play
that high, mashie pitch from watching
Vardon and Ray, and it was a big help
to me. The course I found well suited
to my game, as at that time I was
driving them a mile, so to speak, and
there was little penalty for being on
the rough, for what grass there was
had been burned out by the hot sum
mer sun.
