GOLFER ARRAIGNED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 296, 10 September 1937, Page 11

GOLFER ARRAIGNED

John Montague Pleads Not

Guilty New York, September 8. The golfer John Montague was arranged and pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft of 700 dollars. His trial will take place during the week beginning October 11. Montague declared that he did not know Roger Norton, who has already served 30 months’ imprisonment for his share in the hold-up with which Montague is charged. AMAZING FEATS Skill of Montague Debated The question, “Is John Montague reallv a superman at golf?” is being eagerly debated wherever American followers of the game meet. Ever since he was arrested a. few weeks ago, on a charge of having taken part in an armed hold-up seven years ago, stories have been told of this mystery golfer’s amazing feats. Today, I have discussed Montague with golfers who have played against him says the New York correspondent of ’the London “Daily Telegraph.” None of them doubt his skill, though they admit it might be difficult to produce authentic scores made by him because he has always been anxious, for reasons now obvious, to avoid publicity. He always refused to have his scroes posted, and| would pick up the ball a few feet from the hole, leaving unfinished games which he had clearly won by a wide margin. First-class players, who would have no motive for pretending that Montague had defeated them if they had not, admit his superior ability. Among them is Charles Lacey, .who finished third in the recent British open golf championship. Lacey said that when he played Montague on the Lakeside course at Los Angeles two years ago, Montague went round in 64 to Lacey’s 69. “At that time,” said Lacey, “Montague struck me as unbeatable. He hit tremendous distances, using a huge driver weighing 16Joz. He was a great putter. I thought him better than any amateur then playing. “Mind you, he knew ‘the Lakeside course by heart and hardly played anywhere else. I believe his golf has deteriorated since then.” Mr. Grantland Rice, the well-known sports writer, himself a good player, was enthusiastic about Montague, with whom he has played 50 rounds in the past two years. “At Lakeside, In 1935,” stated Mr. Rice, “I saw Montague go round in 65, and at the Rivera Club, Los Angeles, in the same year, he scored 66 against me. "He was not so good last year, when he scored up to 70 and even 74. We all know now what was on his mind. I still insist that he is one of the greatest golfers alive to-day.” Among others who have praised Montague’s golf after playing with him, ar the professionals, George Von Elm, Alex. Morrison, and Jimmy Hines; the actors Frank Craven, Bing Crosby, Oliver Hardy, Adolphe Menjou; Gene Tunney, the boxer, and Hal Sims, the bridge player.