The New York herald., 1921-09-18
BY CECIL LEITCH.

taken in the Ladies' Open Champion
ship, but the 1921 event was undoubt-
edly the most interesting and repre-
sentative one that has ever been held.
The presence of a record number Of
overseas competitors was almost en-
tirely responsible for the additional ex-
citement and enjoyment Of the meet
Ing and 1t is the hope Of every British
golfer that they, and many more. will
compete next year. Their keenness
their wonderful sporting spirit, their
cheerfulness and their sense of humor
make them charming opponents and
friends.
1t may be remembered that the luck
Of the draw brought Miss Alexa Stirl-
ing and myself together in the first
round. The weather conditions on the
day were truly British gale of wind
and drenching showers-and quite
foreign to those to which the popular
American and Canadian champion is
accustomed Ninety-nine players out
of hundred would have made excuses
under the circumstances and no one
would have been surprised. but Miss
Alexa Stirling never uttered one word
OF complaint or excuse. Her task in
Great Britain was anything but easy
as she could not fail to realize that
thousands of golfers all over the world
were watching her progress. Taking
THE into consideration, and also the
facts that she was playing on strange
courses. against unknown opponents
under varying weather conditions, her
record during her visit was extraor-
dinarily good and all her medal returns
represented steady golf. OF her actual
play much could be written but all
that need be said is that Miss Stirling
is beautiful player to watch. has a
thorough knowledge of the game and
possesses a perfect golfing tempera-
ment.
1t is some years since I first heard
OF Miss Stirling. and now that we have
met look forward to many games
with her In the near future. Miss
Strings nationality has been a fav-
orite topic OF conversation In goifing
circles and the cause Of many argu-
ments. Scotland can claim her by
birth, but / think am right In saying
that America Is the country she now
regards as her home. Be that as It
may. Britain cannot claim to have
taught her golf and nationality does
not really matter among real sports
men and sportswomen. No matter
what the game may be am convinced
that the hope OF real sportsman is
the same as that expressed by a cer-
tain American competitor at the start
OF match OF international interest: |:
May the better player win"
Miss HoIlins n Dangerous Opponent
Miss Marion Hoilins. who has taken
part In the last two open champion
ships, Is a difficult opponent to beat
and a greatly improved player.
shall never forget the game I had with
her in the second round OF the ladies'
open championship this year. A tenn
porary attack of bad driving made
| her seek the advice and help Of the
local professional. The lesson had the
desired effect, and from the start she
played sound golf, and, with the as
sistance OF phenomenal putting, put
UP good figures. At the seventeenth
tee / was in the unenviable position of
down. but at this point my CHEEKY
opponent had n tragic miss and
eventually lost the hole.
The eighteenth green is closely
guarded by sand bunkers. and In one
of these Miss Hollins was badly
caught. After two unsuccessful at
tempts, she picked up the ball. climbed
out of the bunker. smilingly shook
hands and ianghingiy remarked:
"Fernie told me to keep my left heel
down, and I remembered II all the way
until the seventeenth tee and then I
forgot It."
Many days before her arrival at
Turnberry we heard that Miss Edith
Cummings probably would be difficult
10 beat. Rumor. for once, was not a
lying jade. and the play Of this young
American player attracted the attcn-
ton and evoked the admiration Of
many severe critics. Generally speak
ing. the American players make UP in
accuracy anything they may lose IN
length and as a whole are perfect styl-
lists.
Mrs Barlow. the Irish International
Ist. Is a striking example OF this and
onsequentiy. a valuable asset to the