One of the toughest of all golf titles to defend is the National Amateur; in 40 years only two golfers, Bobby Jones (1924-25, 1927-28) and Lawson Little (1934-35), have done it successfully. Last week, at the Oklahoma City Country Club, G.O.P. Congressman Jack Westland, 48, of Everett, Wash., the 1952 winner, set out to defend his crown from 200 topflight amateurs. He found the pressure as heavy as ever. Westland lasted only until the third round.
Other big names went down in the scramble. Frank Stranahan, regarded by some as the top U.S. amateur, was beaten by a 39-year-old Sunday golfer. British...