Change of Plans

One by one the big names were knocked off--Sam Snead, Lloyd Mangrum, Jimmy Demaret. By the final round of the Professional Golfers' Association tournament at the Scioto course (Columbus, Ohio) last week, the interest focused on two little-known pros who never made much of a splash in the circuit. Both were "teaching pros" who made their money coaching Sunday golfers on their home courses.

Over the last 36 holes Henry Williams Jr., 33-year-old Pennsylvanian, faded back into obscurity. But his opponent, a balding, 36-year-old Virginian named Chandler Harper, jumped off to a fast three-hole lead, helped on by an unerring putter made from a Scottish blacksmith's model. He never lost his advantage, closed out the match four up on the 33rd green.

Harper's victory made him the oldest golfer ever to win the title. It also put him right up with the year's big money winners. The P.G.A. victory was worth $3,500. It was matched by another $3,500 from his clubmakers, and he will get $250 "appearance" money for every tournament he enters this year, $500 for every exhibition.

Canny Chandler Harper, who expected to go home after being eliminated in an early round, changed his plans abruptly. With a $250 guarantee on top of whatever else he might win, he hustled on to Detroit, where the Motor City Open tournament was just getting under way.

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