Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-02
SERENE GOLFERS.
More Self-Control Developed b
Links Than Billiard Table.

More Self-Control Developed by
Links Than Billiard Table.
From Throne and Country.
Two golfers who were watching a bill
lard match recently decided that the
putting green. develops a more serene and
self-controlled manner than the green
cloth does. The greatest billiard opponents
usually maintain an impassive demeanor
and shut mouth. but some Of those who
are just little lower down the ladder
Of fame have by no means so successfully
schooled themselves to hide their real
feelings.
I'm addition to making personal obser-
vatlons, says writer on the SUBJ
ject Il have spoken to several jour-
porting, and from them I have learned
that the average billiard professional is
confirmed grumbler. Over and over
again In big match when he has made
ing position he will come to the press
table while his opponent Is in play and
Will 1nveigh against the state of the board
and the balls and grouse about the
extraordinarily good fortune enjoyed by
the other fellow and the CORRESPONDENCE
undeserved reverses which he has ex-
perienced himself.
IF this is a true picture then decidedly
the professional golfer has the best Of it
at keeping his feelings under lock and
key. Both billiards and golf are games
which demand the utmost control of
nerve force and nicely of execution. and
one would have thought that there would
nave been similar assumption of stolid-
lily ABOUT the opponents of either game
In justice to the billiard players it
should be said that, compelled as they
often are to sit quiet for long periods OF
time while their opponents are stringing
together big breaks, the strain imposed
upon them is much greater than is the
case with great golfers, who seldom have
to wait more than a minute or two be-
shot.
Even allowing for this one scarcely
ever sees men like Braid. Vardon. TAYLOR
or any of the other leading golfers indi-
cate by word or gesture that the adverse
state of the game has ruff1ed their out
ward serenity. and certainly they do not
cuse making and grumbling. l can think
or only two or three prominent profess
sional golfers who ever show the least
| sign of i'll temper Or dissatisfaction.
brald never grumbles unless maybe
to his intimate friends, and beyond an
occasional gentle urging on movement OF
his putter when a long putt shows slug
gish tendencies never offers the slight EST
INDICATION that he is satisfied or dissatis-
fed with any particular stroke To a
stranger coming upon Braid unexpectedly
In the middle Of a match it would be quite
impossible to decide whether the open
champion was up or down
Similarly Harry Vardon never betrays
any trace Of vexation more marked than
a slow shaking of his head and faint
whimsical smile when las happens rather
too frequently nowadays he misses a
holeable putt. Taylor. too. though he
always looks aggressive when playing
wastes no time grumbling or waving his
clubs. -'-A
THE sole barometer in Taylor's case is
ms cap. When things are going well
with him 1t is pushed back on his head
put when fortune frowns he drags ii
down over his eyes.
There Is no grumbling either. about
the great French rival of the triumyirate
Arnaud Massey. Life seems a joke with
genial Arnaud. and whether winning or
losing, pleasant smile always fingers
about his cheerful face. year or two
ago one fancied that he had occasional
f1ts of irritability. but nowadays he is an
optimist, philosopher and a splendid
loser