New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-19
HILTON SAYS HE WAS
FAR FROM HIS BEST
Ouimet, Evans, Herreshoff and
Hale Win Their Matches on
Links at Sandwich.
BY HAROLD n. HILTON,
Amateur Golf Champion Of Great
Britain,

very first ordeal in the amateur golf
championship tournament here. and
unfortunately il must he acknowledged
that he in every way deserved the fate
which has come his way thus early in
the struggle.
Charles A. Palmer. open champion OF
Ireland, defeated Travers by > up. but
it may be said in passing that Francis
Ouiment. your open champion. Chick
Evans. Fred Herreshoff and Fraser
Hale won their matches. Knapp, Top
ping and Inslee were beaten.
That there was something wrong
with the works was evident early in the
Travers match. as. although outwardly
calm and possessed. ii was plain
to those who know his game well that
your amateur champion was not play
ing with his usual deliberation, par
tlcularly when he was near the hole.
He seldom took the trouble to look
carefully at the ground intervening be-
tween his bal, and the hole; in fact. his
method of play savored OF carelessness,
which is characteristic quite foreign
10 his temperament.
Afterward IL turned out that he was
suffering from an alarming attack or
nerves, and his hurried methods of
play were almost entirely due to this
calamity.
Travers Beaten by Nerves.
To any one who has seen him play in
his country il may seem incredible
that Jerry Travers could be thus af-
fected. but, like a good sportsman. he
candidly acknowledged that lack OF the
necessary control of his nervous sys-
tenn was entirely responsible for the
breakdown. In fact, TO use his own
words he was so nervous that he
could not see the ball properly"
When writing for the Sunday issue Of
The Tribune, I suggested that American
golfers must be prepared for surprise
in the first round, as Charles Palmer
was golfer whom no one could AFFORD
to treat with anything but respect. But
when / heard on Saturday last that he
was suffering from lumbago i came to
the conclusion that nothing but a
miracle could preclude Jerry from going
through the first round.
The miracle duly appeared on the
scene, as do not suppose Jerome
Travers has ever played worse game
in the whole of his career If he hit
his tee shot correctly, he played an IN
different approach, and he hardly holed
a single hoeable putt all the way
round.
It was his iron play which was chief
" al fault. and it was in this that he
expected to excel. When l tell Ameri-
can golfers that the strongest part Of
his game was his wooden club play
they will not fail TO understand how
indifferent the rest OF his game was.
It was not that he played so really in
different shots as that he so seldom
played any good strokes. His iron
shots were seldom on the line. but
probably for the first time in his life
Jerry was overimpressed with the ini-
portance Of the occasion and duly paid
the penalty.
thirty six holes / have no doubt that
he would have managed to pull himself
together. but an 1S-hole game does not
give a man the opportunity of finding
his feet.
Just a Bit Of Hard Luck.
While II must be acknowledged that
Travers played indifferently. on the
other hand it is TO be acknowledged
that fortune was not on his side.
Twice when he was bunkered the lie he
had TO negotiate in the hazard was sim
ply appalling, as the ball was tucked up
right under the face in deep hole.
When he stood two up with five TO
play | certainly thought the match was
his, as his opponent was weakening
and was not hitting his tee shots at all
truly. but. unfortunately, from an
American point Of view, Jerry gave
him every encouragement. and at the
finish Palmer played with great resolu-
ton and determination, his play TO the
last three holes being really excellent.
II was Just about the only good golf
plaved during the course OF the round.
Whilst British golfers are naturally
relieved at the elimination Of man
who was candidly feared. still there
was a widespread feeling OF regret that
Jerry failed to do his undaunted powers
as a golfer full justice. Notwithstand-
ing his failure. to-day we all thor
oughlv realize what a great player he
is.
Now to turn to more pleasing Incl
dents. Ouimet and Chick Evans both
played exceedingly we'll and both would
appcar TO be coming on their game.
Not few here are inclined to fancy
the chance Of Ouimet, whose game
seems TO improve every time he plays
He will meet a young player tomorrow
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