CHAMPION GOLFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 16

CHAMPION GOLFER

LITTLE LEAVES AMATEURS Lawson Little's announcement on April 1 that he had retired from amateur golf ranks will surprise no one in Australia, says a writer in the Sydney Referee. It was announced previously that Little was writing instructional golfing articles for an American syndicate, together with a comment by an English writer that "no author of instructional golfing articles could expect to find his nape on the Royal and Ancient eligibility list for the amateur championship." The immediate result of Little s retirement from amateurism, so far as Australian interest is concerned, is that a formidable opponent has been removed from Jim Ferrier's path in the British amateur. From a wider aspect Little's retirement will bo regretted. In successive years be has won both the British and American amateur championships, thereby establishing a record, and lie is only 26. To-day ho is regarded as the world's champion golfer in match play, and there are many who believe that ho is also paramount in medal play, although his record perhaps does not warrant that claim. However, so far- as is known, Little will take his place in the British open, and in that event the Australian amateur champion will have an opportunity of ranging his skill against that of tllo American. The message from New York announcing Little's retirement from amateur ranks adds that "ho will join Bobby Jones in various promotional activities calculated to increase tli3 popularity of golf."