NEW ERA IN IRISH GOLF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 July 1927, Page 10

NEW ERA IN IRISH GOLF

OLD GLORIES REVIVED AND FRESH ASPECTS

(By Hairy Vardon, Six Times Open Champion.)

(Specially Written for Tin; Mail")

The other day, Alexander Herd and 1 took part in exhibition matches on the occasion of the opening of Ireland s lirst municipal course, winch is situated at Carnalea. County Down. Judging by the eulhusiagui which prevailed mi (his occasion, aud by impressions which I formed in general during the vis-it, gulf is approaching the crest of a new wave of prosperity in Ireland. There was a charge of the modest shilling lo see the matches, and althougti it was reported that a good many hundreds of people had strolled oil to the course without paying—let us assume the benevolent belief that they knew nothing about the fee for admission—a sum of £9O was taken at the gates. And a keener and more sporting crowd I have never known.

There is an atmosphere about golf in Ireland which is not quite the same anywhere else in the world —at any vat© in my experience. The seaside courses are magnificent in (heir rich, fresh verdancy, their velvety turf, and their noble sandhills; the game is pursued with the zest of people who are determined to excel at this as at nothing eke; and yet all the while there is a happy-hearted, hospitable, irresistibly cheerful spirit about it which makes the stranger within the gates feel what a delightful place if, is for a golfing holiday. And, indeed, it seems as certain as anything can be that Ireland is on the point of re-asserting her former fascination for the golfers of England, Scotland, aud Wales who are mapping out their annual vacations —a. fascination that waned under the influence of the war and the subsequent internal troubles. One of the courses on which I played during my recent visit was Newcastle, County Down, almost, unsurpassed as a natural and inspiring home of the game, situated on a beautiful piece of the coast at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, and now even better than when I knew it first some 30 years ago.

It is to be the scene of the Irish open amateur championship in the week beginning 12th September, and while there I learnt that the occasion shows every promise of reviving the glories of an historic figure which Mr John Ball and Mr Harold Hilton made famous in its early days by winning if repeatedly and in which other men of renown in British amateur golf had their baptism of hcavv fire.

Tim Professionals Atfain The tournament- has suffered heavily from the period of Turbulence, but now if seems to he on the eve nf recovering its former position as the championship-cum-holiday bevonrl compare.

Many 'aspiring English amateurs are expected to enter, strong an invasion of Scots is already assured that it is intended to hold a team match between Scotland and Ireland on September loth. The sea-passage is a, deterrent to some people. For myself, I have to confess to beinsx one of the worst sailors in the world, even after half a dozen transatlantic voyages and many visits to the Continent.

Bui (he man who accepts himself as a failure among mariners can face with eouanimity the sea trip of an hour or so which is all that is asked of him when, having slept in the (rain from London or elsewhere to Stranraer, he crosses 'o Lame, which is the base for (he many fine seaside courses in (he North of Ireland, from Portrush to Newcastle.

Another sign of the dawn of a new golfing era in Ireland is the fact that a championship open to all professionals is to be instituted at Portmarnock, near Dublin, on 16th, 17th and 18th August. It is being organised in co-operation with the Professional Golfers' Association, a circumstance which assures for it the support of all the members in Britain who have the chance of competing. There is every prospect that it will attract the professional talent of the whole country. That will be like old times in Ireland.

Some of my happiest recollections of a fortunate career in first-class golf cluster round the Irish open tournaments which were once among the features of the calendar. Somehcrtv, the beautiful turf, the majestic sandhills, and the incomparable atmosphere of the game in Ireland have inspired mo as few influences have done.

It is in no spirit of vainglory, hu\ merely to emphasise the point afore-men-tioned, that 1 refer to victories over J. H. Taylor, wlip ordinarily could hold his own with anybody, but whom I managed to beat by preposterous margins in the 36 holes finals of tournaments in successive years at Newcastle, County Down and Portmarnock.

Characters If memory servos the margins were 12 up and 11 to play in the on*; case, and 11 up and 9 to play in the other. My morning round of 69 with a guttapercha, ball at Portmarnock was very nearly the best that ever gladdened the maker's heart. At Newcastle, Taylor played tho first nine holes in the scratch figures, and had the unjustifiable experience of standing seven down at the turn.

■ So it would be, strange if I were lacking in a- more than ordinarily keen appreciation of Ireland as a country for golf. Indeed, it. seems to me to possess a setting for the game which gives a new zest to it, even in the case of the hardened campaigner. Many of the Irish caddies are real characters, with a pride in the performances of their employers that might be taken for blarney if 'it were not for the fact that these henchmen have, a knowledge of the pastime .which compels attention.

There are other links' characters, too. During my recent visit,, I was told a story of a former sergeant-major who knew nothing of golf, but who had |, cen appointed caddie-major at a new course in. appreciation of his Army record. A few days after the opening of the course, a. visitor inquired of him :—"ls there a bogey here, yet" The caddiemaster winked knowingly at his questioner. "I'll get to find' out for you."" he said, in a confidential whisper. "They're funny blighters at this place. They haven't told me a word about bogies."