Evening star., 1909-05-13
NOT DUMDLE-PU
Taft Wins Praise From Travis
for GoIfing Skill.
PLAYS A FOURSOME MATCH
Oden Horstmann Takes Part Despite
q Broken Rib.
IS REPLACED BY CAPT. BUTT
President and Partner Concede op-
ponents Two Strokes on Each Of
Last Nine Holes and Win.

President Taft helped to whet the ap-
petite of the golfers for the spring
tournament of the Chevy Chase Club.
which was inaugurated this morning, by
playing over the course in foursome
match yesterday afternoon
Walter j. Travis, the former amateur
champion golfer of the United States for
several years, who has won his laurels
abroad and given more class to the game
than any player this country has produc-
ed. played as partner to President Taft
Col. Clarence r. Edwards, U.S.A., chief
of the bureau of insular affairs, and F.
Oden Hortsmann. Chevy Chase, who has
won an enviable name for himself for
his high-class style of golf, acquired on
many fields, were opponents Of the Presi-
dent and Mr.. Travis for the first nine
holes. and were beaten by two up on the
outward journey. Mr.. Hortsmann played
half the match despite the pain he suf-
fered from rib he fractured couple of
days ago while on his way to the cir
Gus, when he missed his footing and fell
in getting off one of the huge sightseeing
automobiles which conveyed a large par
ty of society folk to Ringing Brothers
SHOW. Capt. Archibald Butt, U.S.A.. aid
TO President Taft, replaced Mr.. Horts-
mann and finished the course as a partner
TO Col Edwards.
President and Partner Win.
Their famed opponents. the President
and Mr.. Travis. conceded Col. Edwards
and Capt. Butt two strokes on each of
the last nine holes, and as a result were
beaten by 1 up on the last nine holes,
winning the match by up. According to
the Presidents method of scoring, each
hole was won by whichever team had the
lowest aggregate score instead of the
best ball score. This method places an
equal responsibility on each player on
team, so that every stroke made in the
match is a matter of Importance and
counts
of golf for a man OF his size and train
ing. He has full, free swing In nego-
tiating the ball. and carries his plays
through with the grace and agility OF
golfers many years his junior.
In his playing yesterday the President
demonstrated that he is far above the
novice class and is full-fedged graduate
from the bumble-puppy class, to which
he has heretofore claimed he belonged. His
drives from the tee have excellent carry
ing power, while his various strokes and
puts are all carefully made with due
deliberation. Former Champion Travis
natural style and noted improvement In
his work since having played with Presi-
dent Taft at Hot Springs, Va, when he
was Presldent-elect.
Travis Distinguishes Himself.
Mr.. Travis distinguished himself in his
usual brilliant style yesterday by cover
ing the course in 81, 37-74, the second
time he played over it. Mr.. Travis first
journey over the course was made yester-
day morning In a practice foursOme and
he demonstrated the same well-balanced
accurate golfing qualities by which he
has acquired his fame.
In deference to- the wishes of the Presi-
dent, members Of the club and guests re-
Trained from following the matcn and the
distinguished party was not bothered at
any time with gallery. Numerous other
matches were I'm progress at the same
time In which the President took pass
ing interest and he had a hearty word
with other golfers as he caught up with
them in the course OF the afternoons
play.
In driving to the eighteenth green to
finish the match the President made an
exceptionally good play and won the
gallery gathered about the home green.
At the Last Tee.
Mr.. Taft drove from the last tee on a
line for the hole and landed his ball we'll
up on the green within few yards of the
goal. He seemed little too anxious to
hole his ball in the same unsurpassed
style he had made his drive to the green
and was unable to negotiate the hole in
less than three puts, the second of which
ran over the edge OF the cup. Mr.. Travis
made the last hole in three. while the
opposing players required four apiece and
lost this hole, to Z.
President Taft expressed the keen en-
joyment he had In the match. felicitated
took the foursome players to the city in
his automobile.