New-York tribune., 1913-07-15
SMITH HAS PRAISE
FOR FRENCH GOLFERS
Says Americans Were Beaten
by Men Who Knew the
Ground Better.
NO REGRETS NOR EXCUSES
Lauds Work of McDermott and
Mcnamara in British Open
Tourney-Talks of
PLAYERS.

Alec Smith, OF Wykagyl, former open
champion of the United States and sew
era times the metropolitan open title
holder, returned from abroad on the Ca
ronia yesterday In company with his
daughter and Mike Brady, the Wollaston
professional. Smith captained the team
Of American pros" that went to La
Boulie, France, to compete in the first
Franco-American team match in the his
tory Of the game, the members having
previously taken part in the British open
championship at Hoylake.
II have no regrets nor excuses" said
Smith. I'VE had a glorious time and
were treated like princes. We were beaten
at La Boulie by golfers who knew the
ground, and they simply putted like
fiends. The criticism sent TO America OF
the links there was true to the extent
that the man who pulls and slices can get
away with it, which more than Offset our
own method Of keeping everlastingly on
the flag
When a man is not we'll punished for
a drive which is off direction, and can,
moreover put so well. what can we do
with him? He has no disadvantage at
lack of distance, for that is the way the
links is built, and when he can do better
than We on the green, why 1t is simply
a case Of being beaten.
For all that, they are fine players, and
don't you forget IL. 1t will be interesting
TO watch Teller and Massey at Brookline
in our open tournament, where to get
away a drive which is not strictly on the
flag is to court disaster.
Il think Gassiat, the French champion,
will come along. although il is doubtful.
Gassiats style is not pleasing to look at.
His swing is almost ugly. but he is won
derfully effective, and through his abil.
ity 10 get results he is dangerous man
in competition.
i have nothing but praise for McDer-
mott and Mcnamara in the British open.
They played like the champions they are.
They arrived home Saturday on the Amer
ika and went at once TO their homes.
All Of us professionals hope that the
six famous players from France and Eng
land can come over for we will give them
an interesting time at Brookline No, [
hardly think the American title will go
beyond our own shores. McDermott will
see TO that. Brady is going finely too. and
Mcnamara is always dangerous. I'm play
ing well myself and l think that there are
others who will help lot to repel the in
vasion.
Tied Ray is a wonderful golfer. but I
imagine he will not be able to play Brook
line TO any extent. Vardon is the only
dangerous man for US 10 consider.
hardly think Ray will finish among the
first dozen, and Yardon will do little bet
ter, although Harry knows our courses
much better than the others and is more
adaptable to circumstances. tell you we
are just keen for them to come over.
You'll see some great golf"
Smith has arranged to meet the Celtic
when that ship arrives in this port early
next month with Vardon Ray, Reid,
Massey and Teller aboard. The Celtic
will sail from Europe on August s.
Jerome d. Travers, the national ANA
teur champion, has announced his inten-
tion OF visiting England next year in an
other try for the coveted amateur title
OF the British Isles. Two or three years
ago the Upper Montclair wizard made an