TEST OF GOLF SKILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 9

TEST OF GOLF SKILL

THE HARRY VARDON TROPHY ' i ' . .. It is rather surprising to find so little publicity given to the winning* of tho Harry Vardon Memorial Trophy, which this year goes to Henry Cotton, remarks an English golf, writer. Surely tlio conditions of this trophy make it tho greatest test of skill at golf thai the English season provides.'lt cannot bo won by a streak of brilliance'or a stroke of luck, for tho scores of 16 or more rounds in major professional tournaments must be added and an average struck' which is the index to a player's ability in fair weather and in foul, on many different courses and in varying crowd conditions. Cotton's average of 72.87 for lfi rounds put him just ahead of [Reginald Whitcombo, the open champion, with 73.33 for 20 rounds. Since then Cotton lias won thci German championship by I tho astonishing margin of 15 strokes \vith an average for four rounds of 71.25. fairly convincing proof that 1 ho is a shado more consistent than Whitcombe. . .... • Tho recovery of Alfrod Perry this* season to something like the form, which won him the open in 1935 is evidenced by his average? of- 73.45, which gives him third place. Charles Whitcombo, who won the trophy last year, the first* of its existence, is fourth with 74.20.