A COMPLETE SURPRISE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 61, 4 December 1937, Page 17

A COMPLETE SURPRISE

1 i 0missi0n of two golfers AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR ENGLAND. FERRIER AND WILLIAMS NOT CHOSEN. "There were certain conditions laid down for selectiori. I did not conform to those conditions. That's all there is to be said." That was the only comment of Harry Williams on liis omission from the Australian amateur golf team to tour England (states a writer in the Sydney Sun). The team chosen is: L. Nettlefold (Tasmania), captain; M. J. Ryan (Victoria), H. W. Hattersley (N.S.W.), T. S, McKay (N.S.W.), S. Morpeth (Victoria), manager. Although not wholly unexpected by those intimately associated with the politics of Australian golf, the omission of Harry Williams and Jim Ferrier from the team which will leave for Great Brltain on March 31, 1938, came as a complete surprise to the rank and file of golfers. Need of an Operation, In the case of Williams it has been explained, that after medical examination, he wa? told that within 14 days he would have to have an operation for a hernia which developed in 1933. That he won the 1934, 1935 and 1936 State titles and the 1937 national title despite the disability, was not considered justification for the risk of a bireakdown while abroad. Williams was prepared to have the operation early in January and was assured by a leading surgeon that he would be flt for play again before the team departed. That assurance was not acceptable to the selectors. Williams' re,action to the position, was typical of the temperament that has overcome crucial golf situations. While others around him animately discussed the situation, he cooly concentrated on throwing biscuits to an Airedale dog, and contributed his only remark quoted above. Williams' mother, who has been as thorough a "sport" in wins and losses in golf as her son, did not dismiss the matter so simply. "I consi&er Harry has been most unfairly treated," she said. "He was willing to have the operation in plenty of time." In the case of Jim Ferrier, runnerup in last year's British amateur, no explanation was given. Naturally golfers desire to know what is behind his omission. As I understand the position it is this: — , There is no keener player of any game than Ferrier is in golf, Upon occaslons he becomes so intense that he shows signs of being annoyed when things do not come off as he hopes they will. On sacred British links, he has even been accused of throwing a club about. Bobby Jones and thousands of others have done this. Golf is a game that at times infuriates. Rigid rules, generally more honoured in the breach than the observance, surround amateur golf. Some months ago, when Ferrier became associated with a motor-car firm in Sydney, there was published a full page advertisement in ^ golf magazine informing the public that he was now a member of the staff. Part of the advertisement |was a picture of the then national amateur golf champion. Although Ferrier writes for a Sydney daily newspaper, and wrote on the recent national championship in which he was a competitor, some were not convincOd that within the meaning of the amateur rules he was a legitimate journalist, and v/as in order in writing during that event. Opinions differ about the position of Jim Ferrier in this matter. But one opinion that is very widely held among golfers is that if in any detdil Ferrier had offended against regulations of the game, official action should have been taken when the breaches occurred. His omission by some is felt to be a punitive measure without proof ot any offence. It is generally admitted that the team will give a good account of itself, and will do credit to Australia abroad, but what is most remarkable about the list of players is not the names included but the names omitted, writes a Sydney correspondent. Even those who* recognise the difficulty of the selectors have ventured to express surprise at the absence of Ferrier and .W^illiams from the 11st. New Zealand Manager Popular. . Perhaps the only point about the constitution of the team with which everybody seems to agree is the appointment of Sloan Morpeth as manager.* The New Zealander is secretary to the Golf Union of Australia in Melbourne and he enjoys a first-class reputation both as a player and an administrative official. I need only quote Jim Ferrier's tribute: "The selection of Mr. Sloan Morpeth is indeed a happy one, for he is admirg^ly fitted to the post, as he has been m executive positions for some time and is extremely popular." That is very satisfactory, but still it seems a pity that even a suspicion of "social snobbery" should have been introduced into so interesting an experiment as this.