Only 45 flagsticks were waving in Evansville and Scism's suggestion came at a time when the country was facing the Great Depression.

Millionaires turned into paupers by the 1929 stock market crash were leaping from windows, men out of jobs were riding rails looking for work of any kind, anywhere. Free soup kitchens were feeding the hungry. The Roaring '20s were gone in a shock wave th a t affected a majority of American families.

Evansville Country Club and Helfrich were the only 18-hole courses here, and Clearcrest a nine-hole layout when Scism made his pitch for the game.

He contended golf would grow into a major sport, players wou ld show up everywhere and courses would be built to accommodate them.

He proved to be a prophet, Fehn acknowledged on the event's 25th anniversary.

Bobby Jones generated interest in the game, completing his grand slam - winner of the U.S. Amateur afte r earlier victories in the U.S. Open, British Open and British Amateur - the same month the first city tournament teed off on Sept. 27, 1930.

Entry fee was $1 and 59 players entered. Country Club pro Alec Ritchie set the discipline tone in the first roun d when he disqualified two of his members - Peck Coldwell and Walker Anderson - for teeing off early.

Strict enforcement of the rules, no appeal, has been continuous through the years and is one reason the event has reached its current stature.

Dr. R. R . Acre won the first two tournaments. Waiting in the wings, though, was a youngster who gave Evansville golf, and golfers, a terrific boost.

Bob Hamilton, as a 14-year-old who could make his clubs sing, finished third in the initial tournament and secon d the following year. In 1932, he captured his first of five consecutive championships before becoming pro at Helfrich.

It wasn't too long before Hamilton began competing on the PGA tour, matching shots with swingers such as Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Jimmy D emaret and Dutch Harrison.

He won several tour tournaments with his major victory coming in the 1944 PGA championship in Seattle, defeating Byron Nelson, 1-up over 36 holes of match play.

Hamilton had to sink a 4-foot birdie putt on the last hole to h old off "Lord Byron," who moments before had dropped a twisting 25-footer for a birdie.

In 1974, Hamilton and his family opened a 36-hole course on the site of the old County Farm at U.S. 41 and Petersburg Road. It has proved to be a popular playground f or city golfers.

His youngest son, Jim, who now operates the course, won the city tournament in 1971 and 1973. They became the first and, so far only, father-son combination to take home the top trophy.