The sun., 1916-12-18
DEATH OF BRAID
Is BLOW TO GOLF
Scotland's Greatest Player Al
ways Fought for Glory Of
His Native Land.
LEFT NEEDED ADVICE
NJ JOHN q. ANDERSON.


The death Of James Braid Is terrible
blow to hundreds OF thousands Of golfers
Wha. a pity the golf players In America
did not see this six-foot-two golfng giant
stalk over the links with his long. swing
ing strides and his earnestness predomi-
mating In every look and act.
Braid was IA golfer who was dinerent
from the average run OF good players.
IL IL taken for truth nowadays that in
the course of a round II n low handicap
player makes a couple OF bad shots he Is
dissatisfied with his game for the whole
afternoon. whereas II fair or poor
player makes an extra good shot he IL
delighted. no matter how many bad shots
he may acquire In eighteen holes. There
Is much truth in this statement.
Jimmy Braid. however. although as
fine a golfer as we have seen, was al
ways trying to bring of the perfect shot,
and IF he could play a cleek shot from
200 yards of and put the ball near the
hole the days golf was worth all the
trouble. no matter how the match came
out. This trait was recognized by his
brother professionals. and It was an ex-
ample to countless other players OF the
value OF dissatisfaction In respect TO
the game and in contrast to the sordid
spirit OF winning for the sake OF the
purse
Harry vardon was and II the artist
OF the profession. ]. H. Taylor was and
Is the humanist OF the great players OF
to-day. and James Braid combined bit
OF the two qualities which made. and
even now make. these men tower above
all others as the unapproached leaders
OF the game Of golf.
Braid Was IndividuaIistic.
Braid was quiet at all times, but he
glowed within with a golfing zeal. He
was individualistic in style to great
extent, but in his own way he approached
the artists power Of execution. II not In
the graceful moves OF n Nardon. then In
the masterful strokes which only a brave
heart. backed by strong will and prac-
ticed skin. could command.
| In all his championships James Braid
fought his hardest not for himself. but
, for Scotland. He loved his native land
I intensely his long stay at Walton Heath.
near London, never once slackened his
/ admiration for the land which saw his
birth and which gave 10 the world the
rules for a game which mas proved so
enticing and enchanting to millions OF
men and women.
| II was small wonder tina. ne was q
golflng idol. followed after by admiring
crowds. ever ready with an excuse when
he played poorly and plenteous In praise
whenever he journeyed to n course in
Scotland. particularly to the open cham
p!onships.
remember well one year when
Bralds eyes were In rather bad condi-
ton. HE Scottish newspapers. ever con-
, servative. as everybody knows or can
guess. had headlines for days TO the ef-
feet that certain surgeon was soon TO
leave London and visit Braid. who a,
that time was sojourning at Troon. The
time OF the famous surgeons departure
III. exact time OF arrival and the proba
BILE train from Glasgow TO Troon were
given IN detail. Stories OF similar cures
by this physician and others were men
toned All this was done because I,
was fel, that upon Rraid rested the hopes
of Scotland when the championship OF
Nuirfield was held. and IL was OF ex-
ceeding interest to the nation al large
that their champion should be at his
best.
Braid's GOlnams.
Here are few bits OF advice from
Braid whose observations are perhaps
as valuable as can he had. lie is cred
tied. Of course with books on golf bu. he
did not write them. and. In truth. gave
little OF his own personal experience and
thought to what went therein. But thes'
tidbits 7 have heard him say again and
again, and while they may not be orig
inal with him they are part or his
message to other golfers:
II am inclined To think that II Is toe
often said that great golfers are borf
and not made
The grea, golfer who Is the master
OF both style and method. whom on'
would hold up as n model. is my very
dear friend Harry Na-don"
II am a believer In every man hav'ni
his own style to a certain extent, model
ling his physical capabilities with char
! acteristic stroke"
MANY man might make himself ;
very great golfer u he made mp HI
; mind that nothing on earth should pre-
vent him from becoming one
study ani practice and experience
. count for about everything in golf"
1t has been my good fortune and
have deemed II a great privilege TO hav'
had over dozen rounds with Jane
, Braid He was always keen sports
, man, a lover OF golf and OF those wh
likewise loved the game.
\ Lectures Are Essential.
We are to be regaled so the new