Evening star., 1901-12-21
GOLF FOR EVERYBODY /
Some Famous Names in the Annals
of the Links.
ALLAN ROBERTSON, WORLDS GOLFER
Tommy Morris Was Champion for
Four Successive Years.
SOME GREAT AMATEURS

Written for The Evening Star by Dr. ]. G. Nc
Phers0n.
Golf has on its pages the names Of many
very distinguished players, as well anna
teurs as professionals. In fact, it is all but
impossible to give In short article a fair
sketch Of all. Yet the most prominent must
have place; for these are undisputed.
Only ones memory Is apt to magnify the
feats Of the players known in his boyhood,
to the danger Of slightly minimizing the
real worth Of those who are of the present
generation.
The Golfer OF the World.
Allan Robertson stands out, facile prin-
ceps. as the golfer Of the world. He died
in 1859, when just of middle age, a year
after he had made a record at st. Andrews,
which, considering the difficulties of the
course. has never been equaled. Most of
his play was with feather balls, small and
toy like; and his clubs were exceedingly
light. His grandfather, Peter, and his
father, Davie, were crack players; but moth
ing to Allan, who simply did what he liked
with the ball. He was not a very long driver
for Willie Dunn could easily outdistance
him; but he never had bad lie on the
green, for he could 'skite ball out of any
place with one Of his wonderful tools. His
approaching was deadly; though unfortu-
nately he was the first to play with the iron
the Overwhelmingly, because it is this
iron approaching which is so very desr-uc-
tive to the green. His putting has never
oeen equaied, except by Tommy Morris;
and he could most scientifically miss putt
II that policy happened to suit him in a
foursome. The greatest match in the his
tory OF the game was between Allan and
Willie Dunn. 1t consisted of twenty rounds
on ST. Andrews links when Allan came
out victorious. His unrfvaled score of sew
enty-nlne contained only two mistakes; he
iIor Ior once, gave up his pawkiness for bril-
liancy, and failed on account of the num-
ger of bunkers and narrow course in tbe
Heathery Hole.
Famous Tommy Norris
Next to Allan Robertson came Tommy
MOTIFS son of the veteran golfer of eighty
years, who still enjoys the round Tommy
dieo When only twenty-four years of age;
yet he was champion of the world for four
successive years. His score at Prestwfch
curing one OF the contests has not been
equaled all these thirty years When only
a boy, he played against Bob Ferguson of
Musselburgh, two rounds and tied at ST
Andrew and defeated Bob (who was three
Years Ghampion) In the third round on the
same DAY with the marvellous score of II
rms was only beaten year ago by Taylor
IN 20; but the links are half a dozen strokes
easier now. Tommy was master of all
parts or the game; but he excelled in his
daring putting. He always aimed straight
at the opposite side of the hole and was
never short. He told his father that if the
oIa man would only putt in that way no
one couid approach him. One of Tommy's
closest opponents was Davie Strath, whose
driving was of the finest ever seen. Dayi,.
was never champion, though his brother
Andrew was.
The Champion Belt Four Times.
Tom Norris senior, has an honored name
which will be longer known than that Of
any exponent OF the game. Four times he
gained the champion belt; and his matches
against Willie Park are memorable. Many
tney played on the links of st. Andrews
Musselburgh, and North Berwick but In
the end they were about equal No pro-
reasonable has more affable manner than
the custodian OF the green's at ST. An
Grew 8. Ter there are now three courses on
the classic links. His style was NOT so
charming as most Of his opponents: and
he was a notorious misser of short puts.
on account of the slightly curved run he
put on the ball. He is one of natures gen
tlemen: and he showed this the other day
| to perfection. in his plain honest bearing
toward the Duke Michael Of Russia when
| introduced on the green. His 81 when nlay
ing on his seventy-eighth birthday was
| marvellous: and he has even beaten that
since. Allan and Tom could not be beaten
| in a foursome.
Some Crack ProfessionaIs,
/ Next these comes Willie Park, senior, for
he, too. Is alive, though he cannot play
| now Yet he can fight-his old fights over
again; his frame thrills as he describes
some Of his work. Tom says of Willie:
| Hes as guild player as fver haunle't a
club" When a boy he could beat all the
| boys on Musselburgh links with common
| shinty. His style was methodicaI to a de-
| gree. in its one-two-three motion upwards.
| His follow up" after striking the ball was
distinguishing characteristic Of one who
| was champion four times.
One Of the neatest professional players
was SThe Rook." Bob Andrews of Perth
| He was winner of the open tournament
| there in 1855; but he never had sufficient
nerve for strong singles. No one could
touch him at the long skimming approach
| with the cleek.
For three years in succession Jamie An
derson was open champion by scoring yet
| he never could hold his own so well in
! match play. He was not a long driver,
but he kept the course and never missed a
shot; his iron play and putting, however,
were often marvellous
| After considerable time Willie Park ir..
| took highest honors; twice he was cham
pion-very wisely he took to superintend-
ing the manufacture of clubs and balls;
| and he is now quite independent, though he
likes still to try his hand.
American "Starrers."
Four years after him came the first of
the brilliant modern PROFESSIONALS. H.
Taylor. Three times has he gained the
blue ribbon of the game; and he has
starred it In America. He is great favor
ite with golfers Of all classes; and his ad-
vice on the game is carefully studied.
The second of them was Harry Vardon,
also three times the champion, and an
American starrer. He is a stronger driver
than Taylor. but his putting is not so very
deadly. There seems to be a strong re-
operative power in his style. He now
stretches out his swing few inches, and
that adds some yards to his stroke. 1t is
delightful to see him play.
None, however can come near the pres
ent champion in driving. James Braid
would have long ere this taken first honors
If he had been equal to the others in put
| ting But early In 1901 he took to the old
wooden putter for long puts. and to this
he owes his most highly approved of vic
tory Still, only the other day he was
beaten in holes on ST. Andrews links by
Andrew Kirkcaldy, very powerful player.
who once tied for the championship; and
whose brother Hugh once secured it.
Roll Of Great Amateurs.
| Where so many amateurs are on the roll
for selection. 1t seems invidious to particu-
larize few. Outstanding for neatness in
| the days Of old was Capt Stewart, though