The Wilmington morning star., 1947-05-04

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While a couple of top amateur golfers are battling it
out for their club title today at Municipal golf course (the
Jess Enison-Lyn Walsh, Jr. struggle) it's interesting to
note that nine of Uncle Sans crack amateur shotmakers
will invade the British Isles two weeks hence, in the first
effort to return the Walker Cup to its rlghtful place.
We say rightful place, because since 1922, Ameri-
can golfers have overwhelmed the best that John Bull
could put up in nine out of 10 international clashes,
and the upset in 1888 when Great Britains team took
the classic surprised even the usually calm English
Since that upset, the war dampened international ath-
letic events, and on May 1917, the U. S. will make its first
real attempt to %recapture the trophy at St. Andrews Scot
land.
The Britishers, amazed that they actually eked
out a victory after 10 long years, are supremacy con-
fident that the American Eagle will fly back across
the Atlantic with its tail between its claws or under
its feathers.
"Haww the cocky Britishers are having. "Haw! Don't
think you can defeat the British lion, dya? There1l al
WAYS be an England. GOO bless our Walker Cup team,
and God save the king"
The English have already won the first round In
the forthcoming matches, by getting Frances Oulmet,
cantain Of the team, to agree to play the 1947 games in
the British Isles, instead of over here, as the rotation
schedule calls for. 1t seems the English, due to their
extremely difficult and expensive war effort don't
feel thew could afford to finance a trip to America,
and If was too late to try for another loan from Con-
gress.
But, well may our English speaking brethren crow
now, cause they'll probably be eating the stun cfo", you
see) come next May 10.
Ouimet has selected a team that for once was not
chosen because the color of the players blood was blue,
but strictly on the ability he possesses on a go1 course.
Ted Bishop leads off, and is clicking at this time bet
ter than ever. He won the National Amateur championship
recently, and figures to be in top shape for the Walker Cup
effort.
Smiley Quick, the clown prince OF golf IN the
Americas, is Ouimet's second choice to break the Brit
ish grip Oh the cup, and Bud ward out OF the nor'n-
west. is our choice to pace the U. 5. team IN play.
Ward held the U. S. Amateur crown in 1899 and l94l,
and his strong point is iron work. NO one In America
plays his mid-field shots any better than ward.
Skee Riegel, the rugged all-round athlete from Pennsyl-
yania has promised to forget boxing and football ach!eve,
ments this year, and concentrate on golf. When Rlegel
does that, he's tough. Number five is Willie Turnesa,
seventh brother Of the great Turnesa golflng family Null
said on Willie.
Some critics are calling Freddie Hammer, New
Jersey socialite, the weak spot on the American team
because he hasn't played regularly enough; but when
Cary Middlecoff turned pro. Ouimet didn't have a bet
ter choice than Hammer. He's a natural, ana we cant
see him a weak link in any cham.
Dick Chapman of Greenwich and Pinehurst, as me-
chanical a player as there is in the country, Will ala the
U. S. effort, and George Hamer, called an alternate, VIII
make the British glad he's not a regular. Hamef helo
the intercollegiate crown last year, and in our book hes too
good to be an alternate on any squad. Hamer, in fact is
the type of golfer that will probably steal the show IN
Scotland.
IdHdu Vic 1h1Otu "ASO~
power of the .. S. invasion. According to Byron Mel
son, (you know him. Stranahan is the logical successor
to Bobby Jones, and in two years will be the best Slot
maker in the country. Vic Ghezzi, another top pro,
says Frank can beat anyone in America now. Ii that's
so, it's farewell to England for the cup.
Look at the Toledo stars record. Last year he won
the Western Amateur, and then wound up on top In the
North and South Amateur event. He followed with an
easy victory in the Great Lakes Amateur clash, and then
took the Kansas City Invitational defeating his hero, Mel:
son. He licked Ben Hogan at Durham last season, and
walloped both Nelson and Hogan at Fort Worth, 1exas.
The British team is topped by a three-some that
is several years nearer the grave :. goHlng grave 10
all you 40-year Odds .. than are our boys.
Jimmie Bruen heads the list. It was a long time ago that
Bruen was in his prime. Charley Stowe is number two
threat. He's a 37-year old Teller who Figures to beat any
Yank." Them figures is wrong. And the third ranking
Highlander is Alex Kyle, 2 years shy of 40, who Walopss a
long ball in England, but he'll be up against something else
when he tangles with Stranahan and Hamer.
The rest are a lot of guys named Joe, or as the
English would say, Joseph. They don't sound so tough
Frankly we believe the Yanks are going over there
again, and when they return they'll plank the walker
Cup in the white -whiskered gents lap right beside the
Davis Gun that u. S. tennis stars swiped from Austra-
liza.
The king may be saved, but the British Walker Cuf
team is doomed. "
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