Difficult Golf Problems Met In Prison Camp

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 76, 31 March 1945, Page 2 (Supplement)

Difficult Golf Problems Met In Prison Camp

Golf played under difficulties in a German prison camp is described by Flight-Lieutenant L. H. Edwards, the first New Zealander to be captured in the present war, who recently returned to Patea after being repatriated. At Luft. 111. a nine-hole course was made, much to the annoyance of the Nazis, who at first suspected that the construction of bunkers disguised tunnelling operations. The condition of the fairways and greens was bad, but that merely increased the determination of the players. "O'Brien, Scottish boy champion, was the coach." Flight-Lieuten-ant Edwards said. "He had us swinging broom handles for practice. Balls presented a problem, and for a start we had to wind string round marbles., As football bladders became damaged we would cut them into strips and roll and sew them. They would go almost as far as a regulation ball." Clubs also presented a difficulty, but the captives melted down all the lead they could find, fashioned it into heads and whittled sticks for shafts with quite good results.

Instead of discouraging learners and experienced players the improvisations only added to their enthusiasm, and many devotees were won for the game. Thus, upon his arrival in England from Germany FlightLieutenant Edwards purchased a complete set of stainless steel golf clubs from Henry Cotton, noted English professional. His experience as a representative player stood Flight-Lieuten-ant Edwards in good stead during his five years of captivity. He took a leading part in organising athletics in each of the camps he was in. and in recognition of his work in this respect he was presented upon his arrival in New Zealand with the special sports badge from the Geneva office of the War Prisoners Aid. Iα none of the prisoners' sporting activities did the Germans give any help, Flight-Lieutenant Edwards said. They seemed, indeed, to go out of the way to hinder. If a ball went through the trip-wire and the prisoners tried to retrieve it with a stick they stood the chance of being shot at. Nevertheless, in spite of untold difficulties, in his opinion, nothing equalled organised sport for the maintenance of morale, and the standard of play, particularly in Rugby, was very high.