CHAMPION GIRL GOLFER

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 10

CHAMPION GIRL GOLFER

MISS PAM BARTON’S SUCCESS. FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP WON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) London, July 12. Miss Pam Barton, the 17-year-old golden-haired golfer, who achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the final of the British women’s championship in which she was opposed by all the best players, has quickly followed this success by capturing the French championship. The field at Le Touquet was not as strong as in the British event, but it included many experienced golfers, and her victory was a great. triumph. Miss Barton’s opponent in the final was a French player, MUe. D. Lavigne, and Pam played splendidly. In fact, she lost only one hole on the first round and finished seven up. In the afternoon she increased her advantage to 11 holes, and so won by an overwhelming margin. There have been many instances of a golfer accomplishing some outstanding performance, and then fading away never to be heard of again. I pointed out, however, after the British championship, that this was not likely to be the experience of Miss Barton. She lost the title to Mrs. Holm, the Scottish player, but I judged her on her style of producing the / shots, and this was firstclass. She showed, for instance, that she was able to control the ball in a high wind with both wooden and iron clubs, and that is the hall-mark of class. She has, too, a beautiful swing, smooth and easy, with no suggestion of forcing, and she has a delicate putting touch. In fact, she bears all the evidence of having been soundly coached, and I do not think there is much doubt that she will be one of the outstanding figures in women's golf for many years.

I do not know whether Miss Barton has received any advice from Miss Enid Wilson, but like the latter she has seized every opportunity to golf with men, especially professionals. It is significant, too.' that Miss Cecil Leitch played most of her early golf with her brother, who was a most accomplished player. Indeed, Miss Leitch was a pioneer in the way in which she set out to play the irons with the incisiveness of the professional, and the wonderful improvement which has taken place in women’s golf can be traced to her influence. Miss Barton is a pupil of the old champion, J. H.; Taylor, at the Royal Mid-Surrey Club, and in her matches with men it is said that she is up to the scratch standard.