The Washington times., 1930-02-08
JOHN D. ALWAYS
KEEPS TEMPER
On LINKS
Copyright, 1880. International Feature
Syndicate, Incl

loses his temper while playing
golf.
If he "duds" q shot he takes it
philosophically. If he gets q very
bad lie he lifts out" and takes
penalty rather than dig up the
turf or scatter the sand. He is
the Happy Warrior" Of the links.
So declared Gen. Adelbert
Ames. his golfing companion for
years, in an exclusive interview
with International News Service
today. General AmeS is 95 years
of age, five years Older than John
D., and lives in a low, rambling
mansion overlooking the palm
lined Halifax River. He has
played more games of golf with
Mr.. Rockefeller than perhaps any
other person.
He Is the only surviving general
of the Civil War and the oldest
living graduate Of the United
States Military Academy at West
Point.
II have played golf with Mr.
Rockefeller ever since he came
to Ormond, l3 years ago." said
General Ames. weather beaten,
silver haired gentleman, as he
sat before q log fire in his
library here. THAT is, played
with him until q year or so ago
when I gave golf up because it
was overtaxing my constitution.
mfr. Rockefeller is q jolly golf
ing companion. miss our games
While physically he is not an
athlete, he plays his eight holes
every day in the year. except
SundayS-rain or shine. He
naturally has become a good
golfer for a man Of his years
Not a Bobby Jones, of course
but few men If any Of his age
can beat him. I should say he
averages about six strokes a
hole. He usually shoots around
48 for eight holes"
Never Heard Him "Cuss"
Does he ever lose his temper.
or throw away his club in disgust
after making a poor shot, gen.
eral?" he @aS asked.
Gracious, no; he is q very
placid golfer" General Ames re-
rlied. "One must be phlegrnatic
and relaxed to play good golf,
and he answers that description.
He doesn't indicate his feelings.
whether he is going well or badly.
He takes everything philosophic-
ally. If he makes poor shot he
ignores it. Sometimes When he
makes a bad tee shot he drives
again. ignoring the first shot"
Ever hear him cuSS?"
General AmeS looked surprised
and replied negatively.
When I first played him, l8
years ago, I could beat him, but
it wasn't long before he was beat
ing me-" the general related.
"One thing about him. he can
concentrate. Must have learned
that in business. When he con-
centrates he is perfectly immobile.
Once I noticed him standing on
the fairway. showing no signs of
life, standing there absolutely
still. Noting my expression, he
said: Excuse me, Ames, I was
thinking"
Dominates Game
People like Rockefeller stop
him on the links to chat, the gen
eral said, and this used to slow
up their friendly contests. John
D. gets a kick" out Of cxchaniy-
ing pleasant repartee with those
he meets on the course. He has
a large coterie Of friends, his old
pal explained.
"Mr. Rockefeller Is dominating
in a way on the links-that Is, in
a friendly way, like a father with
his children" General AmeS con.
tinued. He takes charge Of his
tourSome and tells his com.
panionS when and how to play.
But he is not offensive about it,"
Smilingly explaining the eac5
that Rockefeller'S game became
better than his, General AmeS
said he never took a lesson while
'Mr. Rockefeller is at it all the
time"
When I would make a good
shot he would hand me a dime
or a Nickel" General Ames re-
lated. When he made a good
shot I tried to give him a dime
or a nickel, but he wouldn't take
1t. Once I said to him: II don't
want to make a beggar of you,
Mr.. Rockefeller, but I'll bet you
a nickel you can't make that
shot, He didn't have the nerve
to make the bet"
Asked why not, the general
graphically replied: ''I'll leave that
to you"
Rockefeller never bet, in fact,
he revealed. He never shows
signs Of fretfulnesS or i'll humor.
He Is not q long driver, according
to the general, but he rarely gets
in trouble because he keeps on
the fairway. Yes, it's q fact he
chalkS his driver to see whether
he's hitting 'em right.
The general looked out the
window in the direction Of the
links where John D. was playing
at that very moment. With a
sigh, he remarked: It'd be out
there with him today if I was
physically able"
DR.. BARBOUR TO SPEAK