The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-13
Two Hundred Gathered To See Him
Play Findlay.
Remarkable Shots In a
Heavy Wind.
How the Great Golfer Covered
the Course.

The first exhibition Of golf playing in
New England by Harry Vardon on his
second visit to this country was given on
the Portland links Saturday in his match
with A. III. Findlay
The day was intensely hot and the heat
was only slightly mitigated by the gale
of wind that was blowing. The Violent
wind was source of annoyance to the
players and prevented low scoring, espec-
tally In the forenoon when the wind was
most severe. The course was not in as
good condition as usual on account of the
recent showers which caused more than
the usual number OF cuppy lies. Except
for some of the lies he encountered
through the fair green Vardon expressed
himself as highly pleased with the links
Nearly 1000 spectators accompanied the
players around the course four times in
spite Of the almost uncomfortable heat and
enthusiastically apDlauded the good plays.
There were many visitors from out of
town A large number came from
PrOut's Neck, Seven came from Bruins
wick in time to see the morning play and
others arrived later. There were play
ers from Kennebunkport, York Beach,
Lewiston, Old Orchard and other places
Among those noticed were Gardiner
Hubbard, the we'll known Harvard play
or from York Beach; Mr.. BARTLETT from
POughkeepsie, N. Y; Mr.. Gresham from
Baltimore; Mr.. McClintock and Mr.
Walker from Kennebunkport; Mr. and
Mrs. Brooks, from St. Johnsbury, and
DIR. Whittier Of BOWdoin College.
In the forenoon, Findlay won the hon
ors, putting up a remarkably good game.
Probably none OF the spectators Thought
he could hold his own against the great
Vardon but he dill and finished the first
Is holes one up. His game except for
his braSsey work was, considering the
gale and condition OF one of two Of the
putting greens, simply perfect especial
~ the putting, He hOled some long puts
that drew great applause from the crowd
The features Of Vardon's play In the
morning were long and accurate driving
IN the teeth OF gale, and some marvel
Gus approach shots that without being
pitched high yet would stop dead when
they struck.
The most remarkable incident of the
day, however, was Vardon's 300 yard
drive on the third hole in the second
round OF the morning play. This third
hole Is called the Bend because it is so
laid that the second shot after the shot
OF 1oO yards or more, is played at nearly
right angle to the line OF the drive.
A large oak tree, fifty feet in height and
J IN.
The long drives, whether professionals
or amateurs, consider that they have done
remarkably we'll ii they reach the TOP OF
the ridge just beyond the tree but no
golfer before VardOn ever dreamed Of try
ing to go over it. After he had got ac-
qualnted with the course on his first |
round, Vardon tried it and not only went
over but went 100 yards beyond, 1t is |
safe to say that no one will ever see such |
a drive made again unless Vardon should
return some time when it is possible, but |
hardly likely, that he could repeat his per-
torrance. Both times in the afternoon
rounds he drove over the tree again but |
did not make more than 240 or $50 yards
VardOn misjudged the distance of his
mashie shot after his long drive and
landed in the bunker close to the COP.
Findlay on his shot was also in the
bunker close to the cop. Both played out
beautifully with a n1blick landing on
the green close to the hole 30 yards away.
F1ndlay went down in one but Vardon /
took two.
On the sixth hole of the first round
VardOn played a 90 feet pull for a two
which went in but struck the further side
OF the hole with just force enough to come
out again. lie had hard luck with SINH
lar pulls number of times in the fore
noon and once or twice in the afternoon.
The luck in the matter of stimies was
against NardOn. No less than IA slim
- 10 W. N-eeE FNCAO A1Lc1AC3 AAOSb VI
them by Findlays ball.
Findlay's finest play was mads on the
third hole in the first round. He made a
long drive with pull which carried
him around the oak tree, a brassey over
the bunker and was down in three which
is better than Boyle.
In the afternoon VardOn recovered him
self and played in his true form. His
long, straight driving was something that
probably no living man can equal. On
che fifth hole, he carried the bunker 400
yards from the tee both times on his
second shot. In both instances his drive
was not particularly long for him but he
seemed to throw every ounce of energy
be possessed into his shots, forcing his
ball out of rather poor lies yet apparently
making longer stroke than his tee shot
LIZ was generally believed before the
match that VardOn would not be able to
carry the bunker 400 yards distant in two
but he showed that it could be DONE
The match was finished at the thirty
second hole, Vardon being six up and
tour to play but the bye holes for the
sake OF the score Vardon made the last
10 In u; the last nine in 38. In the last
nine, he was not stim1ed.
The DOGGY score is Al; the professional
record is So; the amateur Sc. The score
10 detail is as follows:
First Round. Second Round
WapH01V