The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-24
Albanian Starts Three Down
On Afternoon Round, But
Wins Every Hole But One
For Victory
BY HOMER GEORGE
Staff Writer Outdoors-South

Playing the most spectacular golf
ever seen in this section and break
ing the Rosbuck course record in
phenomenal comeback. Perry Adair,
of Atlanta, won the southern anna
teur golf championship yesterday
afternoon from Frank Godchaux of
New Orleans and Nashville, up
ard to go The work of Adair was
like flash of lightning from the
skies and completely bewildered the
big gallery which had started with
the pair after lunch when Godchaux
had lead of three UP.
No amateur or professional has
ever performed more brilliantly than
did the slight, blonde Albanian in
this afternoon round. Every shot was
perfection; every club was working
just like he wished it to do and that
little rubber cored ball seemed to be
listening to words from master
and dropping just whore that master
willed. And driving that masters
will was a determination which
would not be denied. 1t was inspired
golf which Perry shot; and shooting
it at that stage was nothing less
than startling.
Beginning the second Is holes of
the 36-hole final, Adair was three
down and to many 1t seemed that he
marvellous young fellow showed how
wrong such thinkers were. He step
ped forward with a will and deter
mination burning up his body and an
exhibition of pure downright CUTS"
which brought forward a wonderful
tribute from every man and woman
watching his play. He simply scared
each mind with his "never-Say die"
performance and all bowed down
with intense admiration for his fight
ing ability.
Adair shot the finest nine holes
of golf ever shown at Roebuck at
any time. His medal for that first
nIue was a SO. which is four holes
under par and lower than any man
had ever done before in any kind
of exhibition or contest. 1t was
thrilling golf which kept the hearts
of spectators in their mouths and
simply dumbfounded the hundreds.
1t was three under even tours and
made a record which will stand for
many moons. And it was made with
nothing being conceded. i was fine
and rare.
only one hole was lost during the
entire afternoon round and only one
was halved. Eagles and brides alike
were made and all apparently with
all the ease in the world. Never did
the younsster seem to be over-eX-
erting himself. Always he seemed to
be simply comman ling the ball. Like
great general he would now and
then study the lay of the land! the
position of his opponent; but then he
would gracefully swing and straight
to where he seemed to will it went
the little white sphereoid. 1t vas just
unbeatable golf.
Godchaux Fights Hard.
And poor Frank Godchauxl He
I.ade tremendous fight. He never
quit. He never showed signs of ner-
vousness. He never seemed dazed or
bewildered. He just kept going,
playing good golf-golf tAat would
win nine times out of ten except in
few in, tGnces when his putter re-
fused him. He drove magnificently,
he played marvellous irons and he
tried his best. But that remarkable
spirit of Perry Adair, fired to
burning heat. would not be denied.
To lose to such a spirit; in such an
exhibition is an honor and Godchaux
Will long have that as his consola-
ton for defeat.
The playing of the two rounds was
remarkable in many ways. In the
morning Adair cound not seem to
make his ball behave on the greens
and lost three holes at least because
of this fact. He took three puts to
a green that many times. In the aft
chaux, whose putter did remark BILE
things in the forenoon, could not get
them to drop after lunch, taking
three puts on as many as five
greens. He simply lost mastery of
that single club. From start to fin
lsh of the second round this was
true.
When the two finalists were called
to the first tee at 1910 o'clock Sat
urday morning Godchaux had the
honor This hole is $50 yards with
ditch about thirty yards this sale of
the flag. Godchaux got hold of one
and sent 1t whizzing into the long
grass on the bank of the ditch with
in foot of the water. Perry was
down the middle of the fairway 80
yards back. Perry pitched his second
close to the pin, but it was found
that Godchaux was almost under
the bridge across the ditch and he
was forced to pitch back, thus los
ing a stroke. His third was on but
away. He missed his fourth. while
Perry dropped his putt for birdie