Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-18
FIND IT DIFFICULT
TO HANDLE IN WIND
Trautman Hears No Good of
"BaIIoon" in Visit to
Ryder Cup Team.
BY EDWARD ]. NEIL.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

n YEW YORK, April Io.-WnaI-
ever the reactions of
v Americas golfing multi
tudes may be to the larger
and lighter ball, it's dud as far
as the British professionals are
concerned.
So says George M. Trautman,
chairman of committee that has
just returned from a visit to
Great Britain where an official
invitation was extended the
British Ryder Cup team in Lon
don for the annual international
matches at Scioto, Columbus,
Ohio, June 26.
Trautman saw the british eligibles
for the team tackle the balloon" sphere
in three tryout tournaments. He heard
plenty of comment on the ball, none of
it good.
The first thing that every one asked
me-" Trautman said. was how hard
the wind blew over Scioto in June.
They were much relieved to hear that
the weather usually is calm about that
time in Columbus although I'll bet there
are gales sweeping the course right
now.
Handicapped in Wind.
"The British professionals are having
q lot of trouble handling the new ball
in practice matches when the wind Is
blowing ! saw Abe Mitchell, one of
Great Britain's longest clouters, hit
three full wood shots on a 571-yard
hole at ST. Anne'S where the wind
sweeps in off the sea and still he was
short of the green. They don't like
the new ball."
Britain's chances in the coming
Ryder cup series, have been hurt by
the ineligibility of Percy Alliss and
Aubrey Boomer, home-bredS, who can
not play because of residence in other
countries, and the refusal of Henry Cot
ton to accept the restrictions placed
upon the squad. To bolster the veterans,
Charles and Ernest Whitcombe, Archie
Compston, Abe Mitchell and George
Duncan, the BritonS are counting rather
heavily on youngsters such as A. H.
Padham, Sid Esterbrook and the 20
year-old w. J. Branch. Only Charles
Whitcomb, the captain, is certain of
his place on the team at the present
SdlNg dAlQ tAlc cl61lI
players and two alternates, who sail
for New York June 10, probably will
not be named until after the British
open May 81, June / and 2.
Jones Still an Idol.
"Only the Ryder Cup elig!bles are
using the new ball." Trautnlan said.
THE rest of the people-and every one
over there plays golf-are sticking to
the old ball. The papers are full of
golf and Diana F1shwick, the women'S
champion, was quoted in one as saying
that while IL was unfortunate that the
two greatest golfing nations in the world
did rot play similar balls, the difference
in the two types should not bother good
golfers. Miss Fishwick does not believe
that Great Britain ever will adopt our
type of ball. A great many of the
British courses are windy and the new
ball does not play well in the wind"
Bobby Jones, Trautman said, has lost
none Of his popularity in Great Britain
by commercializing his golhng ability
in motion pictures.
He is still the great idol. A huge
painting of him stands IN the club
house at ST. Anne's, where he won the
British open in 1926. They speak his
name in whispers at st. Andrews. The
caddies can show you the exact spots
where he stood and just what he did
with every stroke.
II saw $4,000 at an international
soccer match between England and
Scotland in Glasgow. And never
heard word about oyer-emphasis."