The New York herald., 1921-03-09
FIRST INVADER OFF
FOR FOREIGN LINKS
Miss Alexa Stirling. American
Woman Champion, to Try
for British Title.
ny KERR \. PETHIE.

In the years that have elapsed since
American golfers first conceived the
idea of measuring their strength with
the stars of the country which sent
them the game there have been many
enthusia site farewell parties at the big
steamship piers whence ocean voyasers
depart. once again The we'll wishers
of the go!Ang elan assembled yesterday
al tio American end OF the transatlantic
path that leads at length 10 the Ilnhs
OF the British Isles. and they were pos
sibly little more enthusiastic than
ever they have been, The reason lot
this is that this time they were sending
overseas the finest all around golfer or
the gentler sex that the United states
ever has produced and one, moreover.
who is likely to give good account Oh
herself despite the fact that in cham
pionship play she will be confronted py
an array OF talent very much higher
than the average with which she has
had 10 contend In her home land.
Miss Alexa Stirling OF Atlanta, holder
since 1916 Of the American women ,
national championship left yesterday
on the Carnlania Of the Cunard Line
ana with her went the best wishes Of
Iinsxmcn and linkswomen from Maine
to California and from the great lakes
to the gulf Those who best appre-
ciate what is required OF an American
woman golf invader felt as the Dig
steamship backed out into midstrean
that the British women are practlcally
face TO face with the most serious at
tempt yet made by any foreign country
to win their title and that, moreover
the Atlanta lass has an even chance
individually with her opponents an
down the line.
MOI in five years has Miss Stirling
known what defeat by one OF her sex
has meant. That is glorious record
with which to be on her way, and II
she can maintain it until the end OF the
first week in June she will leave the
golf OF the old World regarding con-
stellation that they will agree is IN It's
way brighter even than that OF the
mysterious Spica.
VIII Play Many Courses.
The champion goes abroad entertain
ing no illusions, unless these concern the
greatness Of the players with whom she
win have TO contend. Nothing better
could be wished for. because. when she
goes into the British women's champ
iCnShip beginning May 80 at Iurnpcrry
which is a good natural course on the
Ayrshire coast in Scotland. she will not
feel the tremendous responsibility Of one
who has been sent abroad to conquer
for the glory Of America.
Miss Stirling has said 10 her intimate
friends that she is going abroad for the
experience. She has the additional in
\ centive. Of course, in that her father
\ comes right from the capital OF Scotland
Naturally she is longing as much TO see
\ where her parent was born and reared
\ as she is 70 play in the British women's
\ golf championship. From this it will be
! seen that Miss Stirling enters upon hei
task at rurnberry better equipped men.
tally than those who 20 abroad will
only one purpose IN view-to defeat tho
British stars on their own stamping
ground and win fresh lustre for them
+ selves and American sport.
The early start will enable Miss Stir.
4 ling TO ramble around the famous link.
of both Scotland ard England and to
play herself into form az she gets accli-
mated and acquainted with whatever
conditions are new to her After the
British women's championship she In.
tends going to France for the title tour.
ney of that country, which this year il
10 be held at Fontainebleau