The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-18
AMERICAN GOLF.
Stewart, The English Amateur Golfer.
Tells of His Opinion of Our Game.

W. Girdwood Stewart, the English anna
teur golfer, who has been a member of the
Seabright Golf club since his arrival In
this country last June, has sailed for
home on the Teutonic, says the New
York Sun. He takes back with him as
mementoes of his visit cups won in open
tournaments at the Shinneoock Hills Golf
club Tin the handicap, ST. Andrews and
Queens County Golf clubs, and three gold
medals, won for the best actual scores at
the Morris County Golf club and the
Norwood Park Field club, with several
minor prizes. Stewart also played in the
amateur championship at the Chicago
Golf club, in the open tournaments on
the Onwentsia, Seabright, and Knoll
wood links, and, in an informal way,
over the links of the Cricket and Baseball
club and the Harbor Hill club on Staten
Island and also the Dyker Meadow, Ards
ley, Country club of Westchester, West
brook, and Garden City courses. In
speaking of his visit Stewart says:
my Impressions of the ruling powers
in the game in this country, the United
States Golf Association, and for the links
about New York, the Metropolitan Golf
Association, are most favorable Each
has most methodical and wise method
in handling its affairs. particularly ad-
miro the manner in which the amateur
championship is played, that is, to elini.
nate all except the best 1ehy medal play
on the first day This plan has also been
followed at all the open tournaments that
have played in, and with the best re-
suits. think the number of open tour.
naments held here is helpful to American
golf, for under this system they afford
plenty of practice at the match game
while not neglecting medal play.
81 am most deeply convinced that the
ability shown by the golfers in the Unit
cd States is due to certain quickness of
intellect that is race characteristic. In
most cases they have taken up the game
within three years, and after having
the general skill and proficiency is SO
marvellous that can only ascribe 1t to
natural mental aptitude to grasp at sight
the right principles of the game. Roth
lying and Fem, from their uniform sue
cesses, have established the right to class
as fine golfers, and the latter, at his best,
Is marvellously good putter. Personally
have q strong liking for H. M. Harri-
mans game. He drives strong ball and
should develop into a grand golfer.
Emmett has also 3 good style, land there
are others who have impressed me.
cit is among the youngest set, however,
that see he brightest future for Ameri-
can golf. Tie perfect swing style, as we
see it among the best professionals, has
been evolved from the practice and tradi-
tions Of 2C0 years in Scotland. The player
who takes up the game here in middle
life may attain results, but he is certain
to lack q finished grace. But the youths.
at college and at school, are more supple,
and they seem to be advancing with
mighty strides toward perfection.
Before sailing for this country what
had read in the English papers of the
points at issue between Lord Dunraven
and the New York Yacht club had given
an I'M Eression to me that the residents of
the United States did not regard with
favor the presence OF an EngIishman in
any of their sporting events. l found this
to be wholly untrue. l have been received
with the greatest kindness and courtesy
wherever L have visited.
At no time, when have been pitted
against home bred player, have the
sentiment in favor of the American. Our
GOOD plays have always met with equal
plaudits, and in winning ! have been
most heartily congratulated. 1 have
no' hing except good words. to say for
American fair play and for American
b 'spitality."