New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Norwegian Girl Superior
to All Other Women
Lawn Tennis Players.
SECOND PLACE MAY
GO TO MRS. M'LEAN
Position Disputed by Mrs. Wight
man, Who Played Brilliantly
Throughout the Season.
By FRED HAWTHORNE.

mis- Association will not have any seri-
Gus differences of opinion when it
comes to naming the first woman player
in the land for 1915.
Never before in the history of wom-
ems play in this country has the choice
for the No. l position been such an
obvious one, for never before has any
feminine player, not even excepting tho
famous May Sutton. of California,
made such a remarkable record in tour
nament play as that compiled during
the last season by Miss Molla Blur
stedt, the sensational Norwegian.
In an exacting season, meeting all
the strongest opponents now active on
the courts, and a ma ority of them two
or three times, Miss Bjurstedt sus-
tanned only one defeat, and that at the
tail end of a strenuous campaign, when
she had plainly overtaxed her strength.
Mrs. Marshall Mclean, national
champion in 1906, was the one woman
to score a victory over the Norwegian
girl, accomplishing the feat in the final
round Of the Thousand Islands tOurna-
ment recently. Upon that occasion the
courts were very heavy from frequent
rains, rObbng the foreigner Of one OF
her greatest playing assets speed.
Before this Miss BJurs.edt had met
Mrs. Mclean in three different tourna-
ments and vanquished her each time.
Mrs. George W. Wightman. the former
Hazel Hotchkiss, of California, went
down to defeat before the Norwegian
star twice-frst in the final round Of
the national championship at Philadel-
phia and then in the final round of the
national clay court championship at
Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Barger-W allach, national title
holder in 1908; Miss Anne Sheafe, Of
the Longwood Cricket Club, of PostOn;
Miss Marie Wagner. former national
indoor champion; Miss Clare Cassel,
Miss Martha Guthrie and host of
other strong players tasted of defeat
a. Miss Bjurstedt's hands. Ii is true that
Mrs. Frederick Schmitz, the English
player, scored a victory over the No--
weglan in the Morrstown tournament
early in the season, but that was after
Miss Bjurstedt had strained a muscle
and was unable to stand on the court.
The question as 10 who is entitled
TO secon place in the ranking list is
apt to create more discussion, although
Mrs. Wightman and Mrs. Mclean would
seem to have the most logical claims
to the place.
Mrs. Wightman defeated the West
Side Tennis Club l.lyer in the nationel
championships at Philadelphia, in
hard three-set match, but was not able
to win ,ainst Miss Bjurstedt, feat
that Mrs. Mclean has to her credit The
latter also played in many more tour
naments than the LongwoOd Cricket
Club player, with quite as much sue
cess. and therefore che writer does not
believe il would be doing an injustice
TO Mrs. Wightman to place Mrs. Nc
Lean at No ? and herself in third po-
sition. although this ranking could be
reversed without great injury to either.
None If the California or Middle
West players. except Miss 1lartha
Guthrie. the Pittsburgh girl, appeared
in competition in the Ea5, this season,
therefore it would be impossible TO
rank them here accurately Mrs Thorn
as c. Bundy, the former May Sutton,
who is on the ranking committee with
Mrs. Barger-W ach and Mrs. Benja-
min F. Briggs. may have a word 10 say
here. however. knowing, as she does,
the weak and strong points OF the
Coast players.
II is certain that at least two Of the
California contingent are entitled TO
rank in the first ten, With Miss Flor
euce Sutton, whose play is known in
the East, a likely occupant Of the No.
position.
Miss Marie Wagner, New York State
champion, who was placed IN thlrd po-
sition last year. Will certainly not
acquire such a high rating this season.
In fact. it is doubtful If she will be in
the magic ten" She lost her ma
tional indoor title 10 Miss Bjurstedt
-. a. At % a
4 Mrs. Wallach. but was uniformly sue
cessful in a number OF smaller tourna-
ments, including the Eastern New YORK
State.
Il would seem a pity 20 leave out
such finished, capable player as Miss
Wagner. who can undoubtedly defeat
most Of the women of this country
and would have made a more impress
sive record had she had the opportuni-
ties for tournament play that some
Of the others enjoyed. Perhaps the
committee may yet find a place for
her in the first ten.
The claimants for the remaining va
/ cant places are many, and each is en-
titled 70 consideration. Miss Clare
B Cassel. winner Of the MOrristown
tournament: Miss Guthrie, who took
a set from Miss Bjurstedt in the ma
tional tourney; Mrs. Charles \. Beard;
/ Miss Anne Sheafe, player OF almost
/ limitless promise; Miss Eleanora
/ Sears. Mrs. d. p Wood. Of. California
/ and Miss Anita Myers. another Coast
/ plaver, are some Of those from whom
/ the list might be filed acceptably.
Nor must Mss Florence Balm, OF
/ the West Side Tennis Club, be forgot
/ ten. Here is a player new 70 tourna-
rent competition, but who has made
an enviable record in the past season.
/ Only the women Of the upper ten have
scored over her and a constant i'm
provement has distinguished her game.
/ Another young player Of promise is
/ Miss Marion Vanderhoef, also Of the
/ West Side Tennis Club, who played
very cleverly IN the national cham
/ pionship at Philadelphia, her first APP
/ pearance in the tournament
Others close behind this first group
/ include Miss Anita Darlington Of New
Haven; Miss Margaret Grove, Yrs.
/ Pawson L. Wood, Mrs. s. F. Weaver,
/ Miss Edith Rulk. Miss p. L. Burdick,
I Miss Elizabeth Fox and Miss Dorothy
I kliston.
II has been a brilliant season for
| the women contenders in this coun-
try, and il is safe prophecy that the
| first ten, as a team, could win ma
iority of their matches from Ike
number Of women from the rest OF the
world, were such a meeting possible.
Co..