GOLFER'S RISE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 8, 2 October 1937, Page 18

GOLFER'S RISE

mm&me to pro: title * holder australian's achievement. Nine years ago a slightly built -■roungster accompanied' his brothef to the Australian 'Golf Club, Kensington, qnd watched Harry Sinclair play. He docided there was a career for '-nm in gold and added his name to the big list oi caddies at the club. The boy was Eric James Cremin, now 23-year-old assistant professional, who on* September 17 \ won the Ausijralian Professional championship. Cremin. is not the only lad who has : ristn irom the xanks of the caddies to makea. name for himself in Australian golf, but- he is the cnly oneso far who has been able to win the Australian. title, at his first attempt, and While still an assistant professional. - It was not only the satisfaction of winning that stimulated Cremin dur■n| the arduous week of match play for the title, but-he was fighting for New South Wales. While Cremin was playing O. V. .Walker, of Queensland, in the semifinal, he found that, with a big lead in the morning round, he lost concentration over the concluding stages. 3is employer, Billy Mackenzie, said, "You want New South Wales to win doii't you?" and Cremin never again took a shot too cheaply. » Cremin looks younger than he is. Tor six years he "carried" for members at Kensington. The late Dr. Lee Brown taught him the slow back nwing, and Harry Hattersley, whose clubs Cremin always carried, taught him a ipt more. ^ W *My Golfing Tafchcr.'" * ?R» Harry Hattersiey's fathte, Siowfttr, Cremin gives most of the credit for his success in the game. "He is my golfing 'father,' " said Cremin. Ever since Mr." Hattersley first saw Cremin swinging a club at the age of 14, he predicted a future for him. With advice and encouragement, Cremin went further ahead, until, in 1934, he qualified for the final of the caddies* championship. It was a wild and wet day, but Mr. Hattersley followed the match for the 36 holes, and-he appeared a s pleased as Cremin, when Cremin won. Billy Mackenzie, professional at Kensington, also saw possibilities in Cremin, and promised him a job in his shop as soon as the opportunity arose. It was a long time, .but three years ago it came. Mackenzie tutored Cremin. ~