WOMEN'S GOLF TITLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 13

WOMEN'S GOLF TITLE.

PLAY AT ST. ANDREWS.

MISS WETHERED'S FINE FORM.

GREAT LENGTH OF DRIVES. Australian Press Association—United Servico (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 13. In the women's golf championships at St. Andrews there aro 125 entrants. In the first round Miss Millear (Metropolitan Club, Australia), defeated Mrs. McNair by 3up and one. Miss Nankiveil and Miss Lasccllos (Royal Club, Melbourne) had a walk-over. Miss Joyce Wethered, Miss Enid Wilson and Miss Glenna Collett (America) have entered the second round.

A large crowd of spectators witnessed Miss Wcthercd's reappearance in the championship after an absence of four years. Miss Wethered was hemmed in so closely, owing to there being no stewards present, that she had scarcely sufficient room to swing her club. In consequence there was some delay until a few members of the Boyal and Ancient Club volunteered to shepherd her. Miss Wethered was obliged to send her ball flying down a narrow avenue, and only her wonderful accuracy prevented the spectators from being struck. Her length was tremendous, and was described as being comparable to that of any first-class scratch man golfer. For instance, at the second hole, 401 yds, thero is a famous hazard 250 yds from the tee. Miss Wethered drove 15yds past this, then sho needed only a controlled three-quarter mashio shot for her second to the green. Miss Wothered's score of 73, one over fours, was far the best of the day. Although her position appears unassailable, the chances of the American champion, Miss Glenna Collett. cannot be overlooked. She is a fine golfer and drives a very long ball, as was strikingly illustrated at the fifth hole, which she did in four.

Miss Enid Wilson, who must boat Miss Collett to reach the final, won her match by 3up and 2. Miss Sylvia Dampney (Wimbledon) a Wclsli international player, beat Miss Turpie, one of the American visitors.

Miss Joyce Wethcred is as famous as her brother Roger, who was amateur champion in 1922, and tied for the open title with Jock Hutchison in 1921. Miss Wethered was born in 1901. She won the ladies' open championship in 1922, 1924 and 1925, and was runner-up in 1921. She was English ladies' champion from 1920 to 1924, inclusive, and runner-up in the French championship in 1921. She has played for England in many international matches. In partnership with her brother, she won the London Mixed Foursomes in 1922, and with C. J. Tolley in 1923. Miss Glenna Collett, who was born in 1903, won the American ladies' championship in 1922 and 1925; the Eastern championship, 1922, 1923; the Canadian championship, 1923, 1924. At Troon in the championship in 1925 she was beaten by Miss Wethered. Miss Enid Wilson, who is 19, won the English ladies' championship last year, the girls' championship in 1925, and was a semi-finalist in 1924. She has been lady champion of Derbyshire.

The championship last year was won at Hunstanton links by Mademoiselle Le Blan (Franco). In 1927 it was won by Mademoiselle Thion de la Chaume (France). LARGER GOLF BALL. ADOPTION IN AMERICA. ST. ANDREWS ASTOUNDED. United Service. LONDON, May 13. The Star says the American Golf Association has decided to adopt the larger and lighter ball. This decision has astounded the championship committee, which is assembled at Muirfield, because it breaks the understanding between the Royal and Ancient Club, St. Andrews, and America not vitally to change the rules or the implements of the game without consultation.

Unless America rescinds this defiance of St. Andrews, it will mean a break in world control, says the Star, and will end the Ryder Cup and the Walker Cup matches and professional competition in the championships. The American decision may be due to thinking that when the Americans have eight players out of the first 10 in the British open championship they are entitled to control golf.