Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-12
FOE OF WH|TCOMBE
FACES TOUGH TIME
Invaders Captain Reputed
to Be Strongest Match
Player in Empire.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.


~HE abilities of the seven
players definitely named
for the British Ryder Cup
team that will engage
American professionals at Column
bus, Ohio, in June, presageS a
hard battle for the homebreds
when they attempt to regain the
international trophy. Five OF the
seven selected, after a series OF
four trial matches, are veterans,
well on the far side OF 80 years,
and all have been Thoroughly
seasoned in hard competition.
1t is probable that Charles Whit.
combe, captain of the British team, VIII
be the most difficult invader 10 over
come. Whitcombe has the reputation OF
being the best match player among
British professionals, and in his two
Ryder Cup engagements he has been
winner in both the singles ana FOUR
Somes. Whatever American draws the
assignment of playing the British leaoer
Is in for some hard work.
The WhitcombeS are, perhaps, the
most famous golfing family in England,
and Charles is second of three broth
ers who follow the game Of golf. The
family halls from Durham, in Sor1er-
set, and it was there that Ernest, elo-
est of the brothers and member OF
the Ryder Cup team, learned the game.
Ernest took up golf for livelihood as
the result of an argument with ms
schoolmaster, who chided MIN 1or
SPENDING so much time on the links
and advised, "You will never make
living at golf"
soon after, Whitcombe entered the
shop Of Ernest Ford at Burnnam anu
developed into one of the foremost pro
fessional players in his country. Inc
elder Whitcombe has won tne FreH 1S.a
and Irish open championships, the
british professional match play cham
pionship and finished as high as second
in the open The schoolmaster was
wrong in his case.
Charles Whitcombe received his start
IN his brothers shop at the Came Down
Club in Dorset and after fve years OF
apprenticeship started out for himself.
During the past 10 years ne mas won
practically every tournament OF note
in Great Britain except the open cham
pionship. His list of victories includes
the West of England, three times;
Irish open, Northern open, Glen-Eagles
tournament and the match play cham
pionship twice. He is the present holder
of the professional Championship anu
last season won some $1,000 in prize
moneys.
The two Whitcombes, Compston, Da-
vies. Abe Mitchell. jolly and Robson
form the nucleus of a strong team, but
at this distance it Is hard to concede
the invaders quite an even chance to
defeat the brigade Walter Hagen VIII
captain for the United States. Playing
on an American course, the home
breds will have an advantage, partlcu-
larly since the British still are having
more or less trouble with the larger
and lighter ball.
There was some surprise that the
veteran George Duncan was left OF the
British team. However. Duncan IS at
the age when he no longer can be re.
garded as a drst-claSs competitor. and
at his best the Flying Scot always was
inclined to be erratic. Duncan, in an
inspired mood, is capable Of great per-
formances, but this year the British
evidently were willing to sacrifice prob
able brilliance for insured steadineSS.