Wimbledon And Major Domo Its Popular

Southland Times, Issue 23945, 11 October 1939, Page 11

Wimbledon And Major Domo Its Popular

When the next Wimbledon is played, it will seem almost a different event because of the absence of Major Dudley Larcombe, who has retired after 14 years as secretary-manager of the AllEngland Club. Wimbledon’s reputation as the best conducted event on the world’s sporting calendar tells its own story of his organizing ability. Now 60, he has been the presiding genius over all Wimbledons since 1925. Few administrators have been more firmly grounded in the sport they served. A keen player before the Great War, Lieutenant Larcombe won quick promotion after joining up with the British Forces. .After the war, he made a name for himself in tennis as handicapper and referee at many important tournaments, and this ability led to his appointment to Wimbledon. There, as many New Zealanders know, tact and patience have been two of his greatest assets. Instead of an official tied down to red tape and routine, visiting players found in Major Larcombe a valued counsellor and friend. He was a man to whom the brotherhood of sport meant something more than fussiness over rules, states The Christchurch Star-Sun.