New Britain herald., 1929-04-29
BY JI0GER

bI JlddEh
 Playing ten days ahead of last years schedule. forty four members of the Shuttle Meadow club entered the first golf tournament of the sea- son Saturday afternoon. It was 8 best-ball foursome event, with one-quarter of the aggregate handi- cap. allowed.
 The day was perfect, the fair ways were dry for the most part, and the greens had rounded into pretty good condition. All in all, the course furnished the opportunity for good scoring. Old Man Par beckoned in friendly fashion for the golfers to match their skill and luck against him.
 His invitation was accepted by q host of golfers but they were not de- ceived by his grin. The layers had learned from experience that early season golf is usually not near par golf and the old fraud probably had few tricks up his sleeve.
 But they posted their names on the scoreboard, lined up in four somes and opened the seasons battle. Promptly at one o'clock. Earl Higbee. the new chairman of the tournament committee, started the ball rolling by swsttinE one from the first tee. He was quickly fol- lowed by his partner and their two opponents.
 From then on. for A couple of hours. the first fairway was pepper ed with hot shots from the tee that is the pride Of Val Floods heart and the despair Of many golfers who never do their best. when under the scrutiny Of gallery.
 The technique of this best-ball game is to encourage by all legal means some member of each quar- tet to secure birdie. or at least a par on each hole. But as each foursome was playing a match of it's own. the players allegiance was di- vided.
 The Old Guards matches, of which there were several Saturday. are quite tight affairs. The mem- bers Of these foursomes let loose some fine golf each week and are always in the running for the prizes.
 Howard Humphrey. shooting in fast company, sailed of perfect mashie shot from the high sixth tee. The ball reached its height over the hole and dropped within inches of the pin. He got a birdie but from the seventh tee it looked as though the first ace Of the season would be recorded.
 Playing in the same gang, Bill Sweeney clicked of nine pars, and two birdies to give him a 7s, the best individual score of the day. Bill played some sweet golf in th. Bermuda tournament. but he has been off form at home. But satur- day he displayed. in spots. tn. brand Of golf that has earned him the reputation of being a tough op- ponent to beat.
 Ted Hart. club champion, wiped the smile off Mir. Pars face on the lower nine and got good start on the first three holes of the second mint. Then he boosted a high one which went into a trap and sank over it's depth in the new supply Of sand. Old Man Par flashed a trick and Ted's score of the day wes spoiled when he tried to get out of the pit.
 But at that his outfit was only stroke behind second prize which went to Ernest Baldwin. Bill Swee- ney. Howard Humphrey and Charlie Davis.
 First place was won by the four some made up of Earl Higbee. Clar- erce Barnes. Pete Wilson and Dana N'ibberts. who scored 7s-14-62
 At the flag end Of the afternoon. Tom Grove was trying 10 help his partner. George Rogers. win the last hole. Tom. who has taken up golf. SO he can revenge himself on Joe Hergstrom. for the many defeats he has suffered in handball at the hands of the physical director. was sighting a 10 foot putt on the 18th green. when another ball mys'"r- iously appea red between his feet
 Perhaps Mir. Groves crowd was lingering too long on the green or maybe the threesome behind was arxious 10 eat. Anyway Hnmason. who was playing with Philip stanley and Herbert Pcasc. shot long ap- proach right to Toms toes,
 Concentrating and keeping his head down. As he had been taught by Chet Irwin. Tom was obliNious 10 the call of fore" or to the fhud of the ball striking the green. But when it obstructed the line of vision on his putt. Tom mechanically reached down. picked the ball up and put it in his pocket. thinking it had fallen out of his sweater.
 Then he finished his game and went to his nearby auto. Meanwhile his action had aroused a commotion on the last fairway. There were yells from the players and three caddies raced toward the departing car and AL