New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-05

Harry Vardon. the present open golf champion OF
Great Britain. arrived yesterday the St Paul
Only a few of his personal admirers were on hand
to greet him, the steamer not sighted at
Fire Island until after midnight and consequently
little was known to the time she would reach
her dock The champion seemed disinclined to say
much about his plans, and took his greeting very
modestly. He is rather a prepossessing of
thirty, with deep tan that betokens good health
and plant muscles, tall and well proportioned. but
with frame that denotes activity rather than
weight
After the first two days the voyage was COM
paratvely pleasant he said, in answer to query
to his trip. II have made no plans" he con-
tinued. except that expect to visit the Spading
Works at Chicopee Falls. for few days this
week. You know 1 am here under an engagement
with the Spaldng people,"
Vardon taken In hand by c. S. Cox, of the
Fairfield County Golf Club who will have general
charge of his engagements while In this country.
and after passing the Customs officers both were
taken to the Broadway Central for breakfast.
Here the great English golfer became somewhat
more communicative. and talked at length of his
methods and clubs, but little of his personal
achievements the links
why is It," he was asked, that you prefer the
short handled clubs to the kind most golfers use?"
well, most players, you will notice, grip the
handle several inches below the top. L simply do
away with that unnecessary length. believe that
you get better line in that way"
The implements in his bag which, by the way, he
travelling. not numerous. but they will prob
ably serve to win many good match on American
links He pointed two drivers, with short shafts
and beechwood heads. with particular pride There
only one brassie and this. too, had beech
wood head Vardon believing, he said, that beech
is without rival for this part of the club. Then
came the cleeks, two of them, one deep faced Tor
fine lies, not freak club by any means. but look
ing very effective for long balls. and the other
comparatively thin faced club. Il can get better
ball with the heavy club said the champion, In
speaking of their merits. though a rule be-
lieve you American golfers like the lighter kind
better"
A club of his own making and one that he got to
follow out his own ideas is peculiar one, sort Of
cross between a club and a driving mashie a
favorite implement for long work. Then there were
the ordinary driving mashie such players here
are familiar with. two putters of the goose
neck variety, a mashie. two lofters. one with a
corrugated face supposed to give better grip on
the ball, and niblick also with corrugated face
Some time ago Mr.. Cox declared that Vardon's
clubs would prove surprise to American players,
but a study of them yesterday does not bear out
this assertion. There none of them which are
not orthodox, with the possible exception of the
| corrugated clubs, and even these are used by a
number of golfers this side. Their particular adj
vantage has been satisfactorily shown, but
perhaps Vardon may be able to demonstrate their
worth in his coming matches
'Those irons" said the champion. pointing to the
set ARE selected from than five hundred
clubs which | have used in the last few years. )"
They beautifully balanced and weighted to a
nicely. though all of them were shorter than play
here accustomed to use. Americans have
now reached a point where they appreciate a
good game well played. and II is probable that all
these various implements will be extensively copied
By manufacturers before the opening of the spring
season.
Vardon has a style that is peculiarly his
II noticed yesterday that in handling his clubs
the left thumb placed down the shaft and
partially covered by the right hand, instead of the
usual thumbs around" grip His swing is straight
up and down. appearing to be more of hit than a
swing, but the result shows that the stroke Is
effective. for he is said to from 220 to 25O
yards from the tee In exhibiting approach shots
he keeps the ball fairly close to the feet about op
posite the of the left foot with the right ad-
vanced toward the ball. II what you might
call a running up approach he said. in speaking
of this shot, taking the ball from distance Of
thirty forty yards sometimes use the mashe. -"
Some Of Vardon's methods will upset the orthodox
ideas in here For instance. instead of grip
ping the shaft loosely with the right hand both
hands placed firmly the shaft and the stroke
is given with great power II believe that the club
can be guided better in this way" he said In ex-
PLANTATION of his theories and that instead of max
ing the stroke sitter it really makes it more
method however it viii be noticed that Just at the
finish of the downward swing there is wonderfully
Witbdt at all dimnshing the force of the blow
Regarding his immediate engagements, it be
said definitely that the champion will appear at
birthday after which he win probably proceed
| South for tour of the leading courses the
| east and west coasts Of Florida. He will remain
in this country until the latter part Of May. re
turning to EnganG in time to take part in the open
| is over he will come back for extensive visit,
through the Middle West to mi engagements with
clubs that have asked for dates 1t is understood
thirty-six holes and that his fee for such an APP
Regarding Vardon's style, of course little could
be learned from yesterdays interview. but among
| that he is the finished exponent of the game
| that has yet appeared. French golfers claim a
Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, but
it is upon English links that most of his triumphs
hot an Pee nnSroken ne Of yctores stamps h
the most g9eG OF the period 1898
entered upon the season of 1899 by taking the big
| at Cruden Bay, where the most noted players of
! both England and Scotland were gathered Jour
F Romf6rd 10 professona who has twice missed the
open Championship dt by stroke and here he sgf-
| Hurd tied for first place. Braid coming third and
| In the match play finals vardon had Braid down
| at the turn, but the latter won the match by up.
toric links at Sandwich with score OF $40 for the
seventy;two holesIsixteen strokes better than the
t the same inks in 1854 In July Vardon made his
greatest triumph of the year by defeating Willie
! two holes by II UP and 10 to play English reports
Spectators Witnessed the. final round-somethine
! that will cause American players to blush when it
ship match here is considered exceptional. These
matches were won, however, in summer. when the
conditions all favorable for low scores Var
| don now is to face conditions at Their worst which
added TO the unfamiliarity with American links
1t is interesting to note that Vardon does not
training but at the same time is an absolute alb
saner from alcoholic LIQUORS and tobacco very
| he will meet ''Will'' Smith, the omen champion OF