Evening star., 1950-05-22
Bing Crosby Beaten,
; and 7. by Scot in
British Amateur Golf
picture on Nert PGoeJ
ny the Assoeiufad Press

picture on Nert PGoe.J
BY the Associated Press
ST. ANDREWS. Scotland, May
22.-Bing Crosby bowed out of the
British Amateur golf champion
ship in the first round today when
he was beaten. 8 and 2, by j. X.
(Jock) Wilson. Scottish building
contractor.
The crooner started well, win
ming the first two holes with birdie
IS. but Wilson pulled even at the
end of nine holes and proved too
steady on the way back for his
celebrated opponent.
Tabled a 33-1 shot by the book
makers, Crosby arrived here only
yesterday and did not have q
chance to practice over the famous
"Old Course" which is closed on
Sundays.
Bing had not been optimistic
about his chances. He and his
opponent played most of their
match in a cold rain that kept
both under umbrellas.
At one stage a spectator asked
Crosby. "Is he (Wilson) better
than Bob Hope?"
"Hope?" was the reply. "He
would never live In this weather" "
Opponent Praises Bing.
The Hollywood start played in a
tattered old maroon sweater and
waterproof pants. Wilson observed
of him:
"A proper gentleman and a
grand golfer. I rather think he let
me win it,"
Neither man kept score, but
Crosby's out card was an unoffi-
cial Al. including three straight
IS from the fourth hole through
the sixth. Wilson was out in AZ.
On seven holes of the back nine
Bing blew himself to two more 6s
and was approximately IL strokes
over st. Andrews unofficial par
when the match ended on the
18th green.
The first of 20 American entries
to finish his opening round was
Bill Goodloe of Valdosta, Ca, who
won easily, 7 and S, from his
British opponent. Sir John Grad
dock -Hartopp.
Willie Turnesa Wins.
Little Willie Turnesa of Elms-
ford, N. Y, who won the British
title in 1947 and has been made a
6-1 favorite to repeat in the pres
ent tournament, won his first
round match from James Knott of
New York, and 3. Frank Stran-
ahan, another favored American,
drew a bye.
George Coleman of Miami,
Okla, reached the second round
with 4-and-3 victory over A. z.
Mcleod, Britain. Udo Reinach of
New York was eliminated by C. D.
r. Leeds Of Britain. l up. Mai.
w. D. Henderson of Meadowbrook,
N. Y. beat John r. Fell, jr., of New
York, 7 and 6, in another first
round match.
Chick Evans, 59-year-old Chi
cago veteran, found the wet going
too rough and lost to Denis D.
Newton of Britain, 2 up. Evans
played in his first British Amateur
40 years ago.
Two other Americans also
dropped out in quick succession.
Herbert w. Wind of New York
lost to j. c. Wilson of Britain,
3 and /. and w. Stanton Barbour
of Morristown, N. j.. fell before
w. N. B. Loudon of Kiambu,
Kenya, 3 and 2.
Bill Campbell. Huntington (W.
Vao legislator, was carried an
extra hole before he eliminated
Eddie Hamilton, twice winner of
the Scottish championship, up.
There was no sign of a break in
the tight struggle until the Scot
three-putted on the 10Th.
Sam McCready of Ireland, the
defending champion, moved easily
through the opening round with
a 3-and-2 decision over j. j. B.
Henderson of st. Andrews.
Crosby Draws 1000.
Such outstanding players as
Turnesa and Dick Chapman, two
OF the top American threats, and
McCready got little attention
from the crowd today while Crosby
drew gallery of about 1000 de-
spite the rain.
just before the match started
the crooner said he thought SO
little of his prospects that he had
a reservation back to London on
tonight's train.
Crosby got his best laugh of the
day when he told reporters after
his match that "the real reason
I came here was to see if I could
get a new wig from the Labor
government"