Triple Blue Gets Golf Title

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

Triple Blue Gets Golf Title

Gruelling Test for Week BETTINGTON’S GREAT WIN. Dr. Reg. Bettington, who at Rose Bay links recently played the highest class of golf through a gruelling campaign, and eventually emerged with the title of amateur champion of New South Wales, is one of the finest all-round sportsmen in Aus-

tralia. At Oxford he had the rare honour of being a triple blue. He was captain of the cricket eleven, and won the coveted colour in both golf and Rugby.

By his great showing, and the sensational manner in which he won the final, Bettington has at last done what many discerning judges (foremost among whom was national open champion Ivo Whitton) expected of him, states J. M. Dillon in the “Sporting Globe.” Until this great “breaking through” Bettington’s form in golf was difficult to follbw. Typical of him was his links history round about Victorian championship time last year. With Whitton at Rose Bay he did a 67 and a 69 on the same day. Then he came to Melbourne ,and at R.M.G.C. played brilliantly for a 70 on the West Course. In the qualifying rounds of the championship at Victoria a couple of days later, he did two miserable 86’s, and failed to get to the matches. The explanation of these erratic performances, when he undoubtedly has the stroke-making equipment and ability,' is probably a natural difficulty in adjusting himself to the very different state of mind and psychological reactions of the golf game, as contrasted with the position in the fastmoving games in which he excels. It is one thing to tear through a field with the inflated leather under the wing, or to send down a variegated ball to a batsman, or belt a fast bowler with vim and power, and quite another to go cold-bloodedly and deliberately to the job of attacking a small golf ball and persuading it to do one's will. Totally different temperaments are called for, and Bettington up to this championship period had lacked the ideal golf temperament. The new champton’s victory was no fluke one. He played grand golf to win. He came from the strong end of the draw, and before hq got to the final he had to eliminate potent Jim Ferrier, who was defending the title. The brilfiance of his form was reflected in a 33

out against Pettersen, whom he heat 9 and 8 in an 18 holes game, a 34 out against Ferrier, and a wonderful 32 out in the final against W. R. Dobson. Golf of that type produced on successive days, and in the hot fight for a major title, stamps him as a star of the links. W. R. Dobson added greatly to his reputation by his solid and successful play right up to the final. In the morning round of the deciding game he was not as sure as in preceding games, but he made a gallant showing in the afternoon. But his great 35 out, when the fight was toughest, was made to look ordinary by the 32 for the samo distance by Bettington. It was no disgrace to lose 7 and 5. Rugby is generally recognised as a particularly strenuous and demanding game, but it may safely be said that in all his Rugby experiences, Bettington never went through a more severe mental or physical test than the one ho has, with the fullest honours, just come through at Royal Sydney. In the huge all-rounder and mighty hitter (Bettington stands five or six inches over six feet), N.S.W. has a worthy champion, and a thorough sportsman. Those who know Bettington best rate him as one of the finest types in the game. Ferrier’s showing in the championship was impressive. He went along in convincing style until he met Bettington, andtho latter in top form, won well by 3 and 2. The Manly youth appears to be as formidable as ever, and this setback is not likely to be at all insignificant.

Tim championship went through without the discovery of any new ttdent of note. As is always the case in tournament golf, there were unexpected results here and there, but apart from the winner and runner-up, were not enhanced.