GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20242, 30 April 1929, Page 14

GOLF TOPICS.

BRITISH AMATEUR EVENT.

JONES NOT A COMPETITOR. AMERICA'S BEST LADY PLAYER. UV FAIRWAY. Last week T was able to report that Miss Joyce Wethered had entered for the British ladies' golf, championship which commences at St. Andrews on May 13. Following on that piece of news came tho report that Bobby Jones was intending to compete in the British amateur championship at Sandwich in the third week of May [ quote from a leading Homo newspaper: " They s;iy that be and tho well-known Californian, George von Elm, intend making tho trip, and that Jones naturally has his eye on the amateur championship, which is due at, the Royc-il St. George's course at Sandwich. That is tile single world honour which has so far eluded him."

The report goes on to point out that Sandwich is a place of unhappy memories for the great amateur, so far as good scoring is concerned. It was on ' the Royal St. George's course at Sandwich, shortly after ho landed from the steamer, that Jones needed an 36 in tho first round of tho St. George's Cup. That is probably (ho only 85 Bobby Jones ever recorded in a first class competition. At the time tho weather conditions were extremely unfavourable as well as bitterly cold. This 86 provides a striking contrast to the brilliant round in 66 which ho achieved a few weeks later at Kuriningdalo in qualifying for the open championship, Another Reverse. Tn tho interval between these two scores he had another reverse—one of the few defeats ho has encountered in the. past six years —when ho was defeated in tho amateur event aL Muirficld by Andrew 'Jamicson. I have noticed that this defeat has sometimes been attributed (o the fact that Bobby Jones was " off his game.'' That is not what tho sportsmanlike American himself said about tho match. Muirficld is a difficult course and Andrew Jamicson, pitching and putting very well, was level fours when the match ended. If was in that same 1926 season that Jones won tho British open at "Lytham and St.. Amies, and, a couple of weeks later, the American open at Scioto. It was his most successful season up to that time.

As if turns out, now, Bobby Jones does not intend to play this year in the British amateur championship. Ho is travelling in Cuba at present and will not. be able to go to England even if he had planned to do so. He will probably ho in Britain in 1930 along with tho American Walker Cup team. Bobby Cruickshank, however, has actually arrived in his native Scotland. About him, ton, reports liavo been numerous during each of the past few years, to tho effect that ho was planning to revisit his native land and to compete in tho open championship. \ear after year the reports proved false, but this year ho has made 'the trip and expects to plav in tho open championship at Muirfield early in May. Important Challonge Match. From' an interview with tho famous Scoto-American golfer I quote the following: "His many old friends in the Edinburgh district will find Cruickshank littlo changed. His tongue has become Americanised, but not wholly so. ' I'm still British,' iio assured me with a sinile. Ho has not been naturalised in tho United Stales, and neither has Tommy Armour. Cruickshank is in excellent spirits and is looking forward to competing in the open championship at Muirfield in May. ' Itis an ideal double pleasure fo have a visit home and to be. able, to enter tho championship at Muirfield which is so near.' Mr. Jones, ho added, had told liiin that Muirfield was a great test." Tho mention of Bobby Cruickshank reminds me of tho important challenge match in which he and Tommy Armour will oppose C. A. Whitcombo and T. H. Cotton. This great match is sure to arouse much interest in America as well as in Britain. The suggestion had been mado that this match should lie played near London, but Cruickshank and Armour stipulated that it be held near Edinburgh. Someone mentioned the municipal course on the. Braid Hills, but I am nuito sure that tho match will not be helcT there. For the two Scots know (lie peculiarities of the Braid Hills as few Edinburgh golfers know them, and that local knowledge would unduly favour them against the two Englishmen. Wo shall hear presently where tho match will be played—Muirfield. Gullano or North Berwick. A Change of Clubs. One detail about Cruickshank causes me some surprise, as it probably will surprise rny readers. Cruickshank left, all bis clubs behind him in America with tho exception of his old niblick and putter. Tie had ordered a new outfit of clubs from Jack White, Gullane, and expected fo do himself justice with (ho new clubs as certainly as with the old. It is, nevertheless, rather unusual for a potential champion to leave all his tried and trusted clubs at home, a couple of months before the championship, and to go out to that great event, with an entirely new set. Tt will be interesting to keep this fact in mind as the fortunes of Bobby Cruickshank are followed during the coming weeks.

Miss Glenna Col let t. the premier lady golfer of America will be expected to provide some opposition fo Miss Wcthered in the ladies' championship in May, at St. Andrews. In this connection it is interesting to notice what the American girl has herself written with regard to her match in this event, at Troon in 1925. It was in tho third round that she encountered Joyce Wcthered and was beaten by 4 and 3. Miss Collett writes about that experience as follows: — After 15 holes of the best golf I ever played—l was just one stroke over par at this stage —I was out of the tournament, beaten bv four holes. Joyce Wcthered had played the fifteen hole's in even fours, and was five below par figures." Miss Wothered Praised. Miss Collett has written a book about golf called "Ladies in the Rough." r lhe book cantains a sketch of her own golfing development, and also her general observations on golf and golfers, particularly in America. In form and Sequence ] read that it leseinbles the famous volume "Down tho Fairway," by Hobby .Tones. Miss Collett was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1903. Her father was a keen bo»vler and a champion cyclist. When she was six years of age her family moved to Rhode Island find it was there that Glenna first encountered the game of golf. In the foundations or her game as well as its later development, Gienna Collett owes much to Alex Smith, elder brother of Macdonald Smith, and the man who helped to make Jerome Travels three times United States champion. At tho age of 15 she played in the Rhodo Island championship, and at 19 she was champion of tho United Slates. In 1917 Miss Collett saw Miss Alex Stirling, now Mrs. Krazcr, play in an exhibition match with Bobby Jones, and the lino golf of that lady inspired the young girl to aim at that standard of play. In 1922, in 1925 and i„ 1928 she held the ladies' championship title of the United States. In 1924 she played 60 matches and was beaten only in ono of them. In her impressions of British g°lf Miss Collett gives a good deal of attention to Miss Jovce Wcthered, about whom she writes as followsAs o stylist she is as Robbv Jfiiio?. ?*dic has tho unruffled calm 'of Walter Hagen, the confidence of Gane Sarazen and the fighting spirit of Jesse Sweetser."