Visions Of A Golf Tourney Which Would Assemble Greatest Of England's Players

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

Visions Of A Golf Tourney Which Would Assemble Greatest Of England's Players

TT is literally impossible to compare the technical prowess of A golfers of one era with golfers of another. So many varying factors have to be taken into consideration. The briiliant achievements of young Tom Morris, whilst outstanding, cannot be viewed in the same perspective as those of Harry Vardon whose conquests, in like manner, must be regarded in a different light to the successes of such recent giants as Bobby Jones and Henry Cotton—in each instance their skill and genius being relative to the standard prevailing in their generation.

All the same, it makes a delightful thought to visualise these four great players taking part in a foursome—a fascinating flight of golfing fancy on a par with the cricketer's Hanihledon dream of heing carried in the spirit of Broad-Halfpenny Down; watching "Little George" J .ear, Tom Sueten, the Little Farmer, David Harris, the immortal Richard Nyren in action; and hearing the rumble of the crowd in pure Hampshire—"Go hard!—go hard!— Tich and turn!—tich and turn!" Let us, therefore, ignore cold facts and souliess logic by plunging into these warm waters of conjecture, and imagine that we are a selection committee called upon to choose two teams of old-time professionals who would cempete against a side representative of this year of grace upon the common soil of St. Andrews, writes Louis Stanley in the Field! In magical fashion the weight of years would be lifted, and the golfers chosen, many summoned from the Elysian Fields, would step upon the first tee at the.height of their play-

ing careers, and, as everything is possible in the realm of make-belief, the knotty problems arising through the difference between old-fashioned equipment and the present clubs and balls would be miraculously solved. In such a spirit let us consider our task. The field of choice is indeed extensive, but, even so, the first place in the senior side must be given to Tom Morris, who occupies such a unique position in golfing history. Apart from singular gifts as a player "Old Tom's" contributions to the game are on a par with those of "W.G." to cricket—the influence of both these bearded patriarchs can be seen in succeeding generations of players. Allan Robertson is another obvious choice. What a momentous scene to be present at the re-meeting of these two men, for Tom served his apprenticeship with this famous ball-maker, later becoming an invaluable partner in many challenge matches; but, even more memorable would be the re-uniting of "Young Tom" with his father, when once again would be seen the spectacle of that historic combination of father and son waging golfing battle against the world. Then there would be that uncanny vvielder of the putter—Willie Park, the winner of the first competition for the championship belt, who was so respected by his colleagues that several, including Allan' Robertson, refused to accept his challenges. Jamie Anderson, the son of that quaint St. Andrews' character, "Old Daw," would likewise be an automatic choice with three championship victories to his credit, and with him would be placed the brothers Dunn, David Strath, one of the finest players who failed to win the title, Bob Ferguson; who shared with Anderson and "Young Tom" the distinction of three successive championship wins, and Andrew Strath, a winner of the belt. For reserve we could call upon Bob Kirk, a useful

player originally associated with the Blackheath Club. The obvious choice for captain would seem to be "Old Tom," whose intimate knowledge of almost every blade of grass on the Old Course would be invaluable. Our final selections would therefore readTom Morris (captain), Allan Robertson \oung Tom Morris, Willie Park, Jamie Anderson, Bob Ferguson, Andrew Strath. Reserve: Bob Kirk. An impressive array of famous golfers, the winners, between them, of nineteen championships. Turning to a more recent period we fmd a fresh chapter of golfing history commencing with the rise power J- H. Taylor. Five time:-, did this young Englishman from westward Ho! crush opposition in the championship and he had the further satisfaction of knowing that he was instrumental in checking the monopoly enjoyed by the Scottish school of professionals in this event. His choice is obvious, together with the other members of the triumvirate —Harry Vardon, whom many aver to be the greatest golfer the world has known; and James Braid, the massive Scotsman who won the title five times, between 1901 and 1910. This seems to have been the era of mighty driving for, apart from this famous trinity, our team would

include such giants as Douglas Rolland, a cousin of Braid's; Ted Ray, with his extraordinary powers of recovery; Archie Simpson, the youngest of six brothers, all good golfers; Willie Fernie, with his graceful swing; Sandy Herd, with his innumerable waggles; Andrew Kirkaldy, with his menacing air of concentration; Willie Auchterlonie, a greater golfer than his solitary championship success indicates; and Jack White, with his irrepressible enthusiasm, as reserve. The team therefore reads: J. H. Taylor (captain), Harry Vardon, James Braid, Sandy Herd, Douglas Rolland, Archie Simpson, Ted Ray, Andrew Kirkaldy, Willie Fernie and Willie Auchterlonie. Reserve: Jack White. The field of choice for the presentday side can be said to embrace the last 20 years, in which case, my first selection would be Abe Mitchell, one of the greatest players who has been denied the joy of winning the title he has deserved a hundred times. Even so, he has gained undying fame, but who knows what dizzy heights he might have scaled had he won that first championship at Deal after the last war. Second place goes to the man who snatched victory out of his grasp on that occasion—George Duncan. Henry Cotton and Alfred Padgham form the bul-: warks of the team; while Richard Burton, the present champion, andi Reginald Whitcombe, his predecessor, are likewise certainties. Then comes the problem of filling the last four places from about 12 "possibles," all of whom could be relied upon in time of crisis. It seems certain that another member of the Whitcombe family must be included and our choice falls upon Charles, the seasoned warrior of many a hard campaign. At the top of his form few golfers could be more brilliant than Aubrey Boomer, as he demonstrated in unmistakable fashion during his remarkable round of 61 in a major event some seasons ago. *

The colourful personality of Archie Compston would also be invaluable, allied with the skill that stamped his play when he crushed Walter Hagen into submission at Moor Park. Many names could be suggested for the final place—Arthur Havers, Fred Robson, Arthur Lacey, E. R. Whitcombe, and so on, but, I suggest the vacancy should be filled by that indomitable little fighter, Dai Rees. The reserve berth could be filled by S. L. King, who promises to be the champion of the post-war seasons to come. I The question of captaincy is by no means easy with four possible choices, but my final choice would be Abe Mitchell. Our team is therefore: Abe Mitchell (captain), George Duncan, Henry Cotton, Alfred Padgham, Richard Burton, Reginald Whitcombe, Charles Whitcombe, Archie Compston, Dai Rees and Aubrey Boomer, Reserve: S. L. King. Now that our teams are ready for the field in this mythical contest, we wonder how they would fare. The men of "Old Tom" Morris* team would be largely unknown quantities, but what a picture it would be to see Henry Cotton, the personification of tense concentration, fighting against "Young Tom" Morris, resplendent in his inevitable glengarry; the short little figure of Allan Robertson in red jacket pitting/ his skill against George Duncan; while guile and craft would be matched between Willie Park and Abe Mitchell. Imagine Douglas Rolland and Richard Burton lashing the ball colossal distances in prodigious attempts to outdrive each other. Andrew Kirkaldy and Archie Compston would make the ideal match from the onlookers' viewpoint, as well as offering varied repartee; Vardon against Reginald Whitcombe, and Padgham against Braid would be key matches; the graceful action of Simpson would be equalled by that of Boomer. What a contest it would be! An answer might at last be found for that long-standing question of who w - as - or . IS > the greatest professional ol all time. Regarding results I commenced by thinking that our present-day team would look the most impressive oh paper, but now I hesitate to make such a sweeping assertion; in fact, man for man, J H i i?, ylors side look s more than capable of mastering any opposition— but then, perhaps, after all, I am biased! '