Big Golf Drives.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1922, Page 4

Big Golf Drives.

SANDWICH, (Kent) June 20 That the six or seven golfers particularly known for their long driving are by no means the only mighty hiiiiters on the links is the lesson of the world’s long-driving championship which took place to-day at Sandwich. In point of fact the honours were carried off by two men who in the past have performed their prodigies uniionoured" and unsung, because in spite of their capacity for hitting stupendous shots from the tee they do not happen to have won any competitions of note.

First place, carrying with it the challenge cup presented by the Field, fell to John Smith, an amateur who is plus 2 in the Working Men’s Club at Forest Row, Sussex, but who hitherto has been virtually unknown outside his native village. J. S. F. Morrison, of Sunningdaie, the Corinthian footballer, was second, and A. Enstorbrook, the professional from Sidmouth, Devon, third, the last-named making the longest single drive of the day—--277 yards and 9.) inches.

All this was very surprising in a field of 50 that comprised such famous long hitters as Roger H. Withered, Cyril Tolley, Ernest E. Carter, Walter Hagen, of Detroit, who is probably the biggest hitter among the “invaders,” and James liraid. Duncan, Ray, and Mitchell were among those who preferred to rest on the eve of the bigger championship, but the Biniters who entered were sufficiently numerous to make the competition difficult to win.

THE WINNER’S STYLE. Each man was allowed 6 drives—3 with halls conforming to the statutory limitations and the other 3 with halls of any size or weight that ho liked to have made for him. John Smith, who is a green-keeper on the Forest Row course, does not lpok in the least like a giant of the long game. He is young and slim and with no evidence of vast strength. His back swing is quick and ppmparqfively short, hut he puts a frcmzy of power into tfie ithree-quarter 4 own which is all he allows hipis.elf, and the bal leaves the club like a. bullet. He was one of the very fcav players who made tile longest drives with the lighter ball of 29dwt. His first with that half was 271vd. Ift. 10’in.. a great shot that carried about 230 yards, and rap the o#, With 31dwt

.hall .he drove 26Qyd. Ift. ,10in., that mado his aggregate 532 yd. Bjin. Morrison’s .best drives .measured 356 yds 2in. and 269 yd 2ft. Tin., total 525 yds. 2ft. 9in. Easlerbrook is like ,1 <)hn Smith of small and slight stature. He had an aggregate of 522 yd. sin. for his best two shots. He secured the longest carry of the day—267yd. For slider accuracy of direction combined with length nobody was better than Walter TJageii, of Detroit. One of his shots drifted just off the course, but the other five were perfect in direction! The two longest measured respectively 259 yd. 7in. and 252 yd Ift. lin.