BIG GOLF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 2

BIG GOLF

AMERICANS GO HOME (Fro® Our Own Correspondent) f .. LONDON, 6th June. The American golfers have returned home tired but after a thoroughly enjoyable as weir as successful tour." They surrendered the Ryder cup and they will not have an opportunity of regaining it for two years; when the third match will be decided in America. But they captured the British championship through Walter Hagen and the French title through Horton Smith. The latter, too, was runner-up in the German championship. In addition, Joe Turnesa won th e first prize of £3OO in a £IOOO tournament. All the winnings of the team were pooled and divided and each of the ten members received about £IOO. Of course, this was extra to the £350 they were given to cover the expenses of' their visit. All the Americans came back from Berlin to this country and, as a wind up, Hagen played two matches over thirty-six holes against Archibald Compstcn, who a year ago crushed the champion bv the staggering margin of eighteen up and seventeen to play. Hagen tried very hard to get out of these engagements, pleading that he was tired out, Ilis fee for each was £250, hut lie was prepared to forfeit this. However, lie was persuaded to play, though it was obvious that lie had no heart for the game. In th e first match at Moor Park, London, lie was decisively defeated by seven up and six to play. The second game was in Birmingham, and losing four of the first nine holes to Compston it looked as if it were to bo another run away affair. From this point, however, Hagen started to play with some of his usual fight and, recovering in typical style, he won on the last green by one up.' In saying goodbye to British golf, Hagen stated that lie was afraid he would not be able to come to defend his title next year. He has arranged a long tour in the Argentine, and afterwards, without returning home, lie is to visit Australia and New Zealand. Lie promised to go to the Commonwealth two years ago, and lie feels that now is the time, when he holds the British championship, to fulfil it.